I have always understood that a blessing is given by the celebrant to those attending every Mass at the closing. I have never understood why people who are not receiving Communion go up to receive an individual blessing from the priests (and sometimes from the Eucharistic Ministers who sometimes pretend to offer one!) when they will receive a blessing later anyway. So, two people who attend Mass whatever their sins and living arrangements receive a blessing (which is not subject to dilution no matter how many 'share' it). So why would such a couple ever need to request a blessing together unless it were as a blessing of their relationship? Such as a married couple on an anniversary might seek. It doesn't make sense to me. Would a heterosexual couple living together illicitly also qualify for such a 'couple's' blessing?
This going up to receive a blessing instead of Holy Communion is I suspect an effort at inclusivity for non Catholics so they don't resent being left out. Last night I prayed Midnight Mass on line--a high Mass--all Latin. The setting was magical and rich and the music angelic Latin chant. But I was struck by how austere it was. No "we are companions on the journey" but a serious lofty ritual enacted by the priest toward God in the solemn Holy Sacrifice. The difference to the current NO is so vast as to be a chasm. It simply is not the same rite. Not the same theology. I don't think I have ever seen this before so glaringly made manifest. Beautiful graceful ritual gestures. The priest like Zachariah going to the inner chamber. Just profound. Totally profound. I can well see why the modernists are terrorized by its existence. Why they must stamp it out. I have not processed all of this yet. It is still percolating in my soul.
The receiving of a blessing in the Holy Communion line can be extended to Catholics not receiving, to non-Catholics, or to children too young to receive the precious Host.
It is my assumption that this practice of giving blessings in the Communion line began perhaps inappropriately but not with the intention to disobey any liturgical rules. Today, everything we need to research is at our fingertips and answers can be obtained in minutes. Before the internet came to be, I recall a former pastor blessing little children with their parents and pregnant women who received Communion. And then, there have always been fallen away Catholics and non-Catholics who attend funerals and weddings. Most I think, were ignorant of what they should and should not do. The Communion line is not the place to question everyone coming forward if they are properly prepared. Sometimes it is obvious that some are new and don't seem to know what they are supposed to do and the priest may inquire of them. But as a whole that is not the time to question everyone. Because this practice grew there needed to be some instruction. Today, at funerals and weddings, we often hear the priest give instruction before reception of Communion that goes something like this, "Catholics who are properly prepared may come forward for Communion. If you are not Catholic and wish to come forward for a blessing, or you are a Catholic not properly prepared, please cross your hands over your chest, like this ..." I don't think this is meant to be an invitation for all to come forward but for those who are not understanding and go forward anyway, it is giving the priest an indication of who should not be given Communion. Should Catholics in a state of mortal sin and non-Catholics go forward in the Communion line? I believe the answer is no. But it is not something that is worth fighting over, in my opinion. Perhaps they have in their hearts, "Lord, be merciful to me a sinner." We should not be judging their intentions.
Thank you for sharing. I, too, had the honour and pleasure to attend Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve in the Traditional Latin Mass form, with my wife and kids. It was utterly beautiful. When we got home, we celebrated the newborn King with some Christmas Stollen which a fellow parishioner had baked for us. What a treat! Haven't had Stollen for years, since this is only baked during Christmas time and I have been living overseas for over ten years. God bless all here. We continue to offer family Rosaries for all forum members and their loved ones.
Thanks be to God for those strong and faithful shepherds. The Marian Fathers should be added to the hero-list published by Katholisches.info. God bless!
I have to expand on this a bit. A reverent NO Mass is a holy Mass. I have received wonderful graces from attending these Masses. I am so grateful the Mass is available to attend. I was just struck so deeply by the difference--a very essential difference. The "new" Mass is centered on the community from the priest faccing the people to the readings to the handshake of peace to the reception of Holy Communion. The ancient rite is focused entirely on God. From the first moment til the reading of the Last Gospel. And it is the priest who engages with God. Who "communes" with God for the people. Who offers the Holy Sacrifice. Still in the manner of ancient Jewish Temple worship but now centered on the Lamb of God who offers Himself to the Father through His appointed priest. The fulfillment of the Old Testament worship in the New Testament offering of Christ Himself. The altar of sacrifice not the "table of plenty". Huge huge difference. That's why I thought of Zachariah going into the inner chamber to burn the incense.( and encountering the Angel Gabriel)
There is a good example of priestly blessings in Scripture: Matthew 10:13 If it turns out to be a worthy home, let your blessing stand; if it is not, take back the blessing. Notice that at the end the piece about the home not being worthy and taking back the blessing. Blessings are not to be handed out piece meal but given to those who are worthy. Thus for instance great Confessional Saints like Padre Pio , St Leopold Manic, the Cure of Ars, St Alphonus Ligouri and St Joseph Cafasso regularly refused blessings. Giving blessings is a serious thing and to be taken seriously. https://www.patheos.com/blogs/deaco...-why-i-refuse-to-bless-children-at-communion/ The Apostolic Exhortation Familiaris Consortio n. 84, ‘forbids any pastor, for whatever reason or pretext even of a pastoral nature, to perform ceremonies of any kind for divorced people who remarry’. To be feared is that any form of blessing in substitution for communion would give the impression that the divorced and remarried have been returned, in some sense, to the status of Catholics in good standing. In a similar way, for others who are not to be admitted to Holy Communion in accord with the norm of law, the Church’s discipline has already made clear that they should not approach Holy Communion nor receive a blessing. This would include non-Catholics and those envisaged in can. 915 (i.e., those under the penalty of excommunication or interdict, and others who obstinately persist in manifest grave sin).” https://aleteia.org/2018/08/04/5-sa...ely-long-hours-hearing-confessions-every-day/
I received a special blessing today as my priestly son, Fr. Benjamin, and I walked around the 2-mi. block on which my home is located; he heard my confession and gave me absolution, and a good shot of wisdom. Thanks be to God! He usually travels up from Texas once a year.
You are so blessed Terry , you remind me of Father Abraham. The saddest thing I ever heard about a Blessing I read from a visionary. It was something Our Lady said about people leaving Mass before the priest gave his blessing. Our Lady said, looking very sad, 'Does the Blessing of my Son mean so little to you?' When a Priest blesses us , it is Jesus Himself who blesses us.
So wonderful! It reminds me of a talk I was privileged to attend in a fall of 2021 with Scott Hahn. He shared the similar experience of being a dad to a son who was now his spiritual father as a priest. He movingly told us of the power of his first confession to his son who is in fact Jesus at that moment. To receive absolution and the bread of life from the hands who helped co-create and hold as a baby was as he said overwhelming. It’s a wonderful blessing for you Terry. Thank you and your dear wife for helping your son (s) to their vocations.
This is true in an essential manner, AED, but it is also true that the Latin Mass Canon shines a light on the participation of the laity: To you, therefore, most merciful Father, we make humble prayer and petition through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord: that you accept and bless + these gifts, these offerings, these holy and unblemished sacrifices, which we offer you firstly for your holy catholic Church. Be pleased to grant her peace, to guard, unite and govern her throughout the whole world, together with your servant N. our Pope and N. our Bishop, and all those who, holding to the truth, hand on the catholic and apostolic faith. Remember, Lord, your servants N. and N. and all gathered here, whose faith and devotion are known to you. For them, we offer you this sacrifice of praise or they offer it for themselves and all who are dear to them, for the redemption of their souls, in hope of health and well-being, and paying their homage to you, the eternal God, living and true.
A few days ago, a famous Catholic YouTuber from the Hispanic world drew attention to a curious fact. The schismatic Church of England formally approved gay blessings at more or less the same time as the Vatican, also after a 'synod' and with terminology very similar to that of outrageous Fiduccia supplicans. Source: https://www.churchofengland.org/sit...uestions-notice-paper-november-2023-final.pdf This similar approach and perfect synchrony makes you wonder if someone above both churches is driving the process.
