Dear Catholic Exchange:
My husband heads up the Extraordinary Ministers at our parish, and he is a stickler for what's correct according to the Church's teachings. Recently, one of the EMs has been pushing for the right for all EMs to be able to give “blessings” to children who are in the Communion line. My husband is against this, stating that: (1) general “hands on” blessings should be given only by priests and deacons; (2) he is concerned that children AND adults will be confused by this practice, and will believe that such blessings are the same that priests/deacons would grant; and (3) Mass contains so many instances of general blessings that a Communion line blessing is not needed. All in all, my husband believes that this practice is not correct according to Church teachings. However, this EM continues to push Father to permit these “blessings” by EMs. Recently, Father sent my husband an email stating the following:
“Regarding blessings, [the Archdiocesan Director of Worship says that] extraordinary ministers cannot give verbal blessings as a deacon or priest does or make the sign of the cross in the air over the person. EMs can give a non-verbal blessing by touching the shoulder or forehead and making the sign of the cross on the forehead with the thumb. I am in agreement with [the Director of Worship] on this for the blessings.”
My husband has such strong beliefs about this that he is prepared to resign as head of the EMs. To help him, I am asking this question of several sources. I asked James Drummey of “Catholic Replies,” and referring to the Book of Blessings, he stated that there is nothing that permits such “blessings.” However, he did not state if anything in the Book of Blessings forbids this practice. I also sent the question to Catholic Answers and now await their answer. I'm a convert, so what do I know? Therefore, I believe in getting advice from as many real Catholic sources as possible. Father is a wonderful priest and we know that he always wants to do what is correct according to the Church's teachings. But because of past Archdiocese practices/problems, I do not trust the “answers” that come from the Archdiocese office.
Do you have knowledge of other Church documentation that explains, forbids, or permits such blessings? We would like to know if our concerns are valid or if we are incorrect in our beliefs against such blessings.
Thanks. God Bless You.
Barbara Longeway
Dear Mrs. Longeway,
Peace in Christ!
The Church provides specific instructions for the Mass. They are primarily found in the Roman Missal and the General Instruction on the Roman Missal (GIRM). The instructions do not provide for the blessing of non-communicants during the distribution of Holy Communion, but neither do they prohibit such a blessing.
While the Church does not specifically prohibit priests from blessing non-communicants during the distribution of Holy Communion, neither does she provide for it. In general, if something is not provided for in the liturgical rubrics, it is not envisioned. At the same time, because the Church has not addressed the matter specifically, some individual bishops have provided instructions to guide the faithful in their dioceses. The larger context of the liturgy of the Eucharist within the Mass provides principles to apply to the question of blessing non-communicants.
The distribution of Holy Communion takes place in the midst of the liturgy of the Eucharist — where bread and wine are transformed into the body and blood of our Lord. The liturgy of the Eucharist leads to the reception of the Eucharist. The Eucharistic prayers invite the faithful to the banquet of Christ.
The rubrics provide for the faithful to come forward in procession to receive Communion (cf. GIRM, nos. 44; 160). The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee on the Liturgy describes processions as “a sign of the pilgrim Church.” In particular, the Communion procession “is an action of the Body of Christ. At Christ’s invitation, extended by the priest acting in Christ’s person: Happy are they who are called to his supper, the members of the community move forward to share in the sacred meal, to receive the body and blood of Christ which is the sign and the source of their unity.” This highlights two important points: the purpose of the Communion procession is to receive the body and blood of Christ, and the procession itself signifies the unity of the Church.
Finally, the Church provides for all persons to receive a blessing at the end of Mass (cf. GIRM, no. 90).
One reason given for the blessing of non-communicants is the discomfort that non-communicants might feel at being left in the pews. A blessing seems to be a way to welcome and provide for those who cannot receive Communion. This desire to provide for everyone is good. However, sometimes providing for everyone can diminish the importance of pointing to the greatest good — in this case, Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.
It is important to note that even if a priest or deacon made the pastoral decision to bless non-communicants, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion may not do so. Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion (EMs) are commissioned to assist specifically with the distribution of Holy Communion. There are times during the liturgical year when the laity assist in specific acts of blessing — the distribution of ashes on Ash Wednesday and the blessing of throats on the feast of Saint Blase. These are clearly indicated in the Book of Blessings. However, blessing in the name of the Church is not the normal function for laypersons.
In particular, EMs should not provide a blessing with the Eucharist (also called Benediction). Blessing with the Eucharist is reserved to an ordained minister, as the Rite of Exposition and Benediction indicates: “It is not lawful, however, for [non-ordained persons] to give the blessing with the sacrament” (no. 91). Giving a blessing with the Host is not proper to the role of a layperson and blurs the distinction between the ordained and non-ordained priesthood.
At the same time, the situation may arise in which a non-communicant presents himself to an EM for a blessing. Anticipating this possibility, an EM can consult his diocese’s instructions for EMs and then respond to the person accordingly. In the absence of such guidelines, one solution would be for an EM to make no gesture but say to the person, “God bless you.” Such a solution allows the EM to respond in charity and maintain the orderly and reverent character of the Communion procession without moving beyond the scope of his duty.
Some people consider giving an appropriate gesture of blessing to a child who cannot yet receive Communion to be a separate situation (The gesture might be one such as the sign of the Cross on the forehead). For example, Father Peter Stravinskas, who is well known for his strict adherence to liturgical law, notes that the Holy Father himself blessed a baby after giving the child’s mother Communion. This took place during a televised Sunday Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica on Oct. 19, 2003. Father Stravinskas noted that children not old enough to receive Communion understandably accompany their parents in the Communion line. Given this reality and the Pope’s example, he said that it is for a priest or deacon to affirm the children by providing them a blessing. However, he added that non-Catholic adults and Catholics who may not receive Communion should not come up for a blessing at Communion time. Father Stravinskas said that Communion time is for receiving Communion, and that all will receive a blessing at the appropriate time: the end of Mass.
On the other hand, Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput suggests that blessings during Communion are not appropriate. He recommends a return to the practice of spiritual communion:
“Both children and adults can make a spiritual communion. They may come forward with their arms crossed and bow before the Eucharist. Then the priest, deacon or extraordinary minister could say to them kindly, “Receive the Lord Jesus in your heart.” This is not a blessing, but an invitation to worship, so no gestures are made.
“This spiritual communion would more authentically carry out the spirit of the liturgy. Being faithful to the truths of the sacramental celebration allows all of us, young and old, to enter more deeply into worship” (“Communion Procession Offers Opportunity to Teach Reverence.” Denver Catholic Register, 12 Feb. 2003). The rest of this article can be found online.
In the absence of instructions from the Holy See or the Bishops’ Conference, the blessing of non-Communicants remains a pastoral matter addressed at the local level. A bishop may provide instructions for his diocese, or he may entrust the matter to the discretion of the pastors of his diocese.
United in the Faith,
Peter Balbirnie
Information Specialist
Catholics United for the Faith
827 North Fourth Street
Steubenville, OH 43952
800-MY-FAITH (800-693-2484)
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