Children Being Blessed At Communion Time

[ari020888]

This is an interesting topic. We, EMHC, at my parish were always told to say/pray something like "may God bless you" but rarely do we have to because it is such a small parish and normally the priest is the only one doing the Body of Christ.

[jumpfrog]

At my parish, the kids come up after the distribution of communion, and the priest blesses each one...it takes a long time, cause he actually bends down, puts both hands on their heads and says a blessing...maybe about 5 seconds for each kid. Blessing the kids takes almost as long as communion.

It is so great to see all the kiddies come running up the aisle to be blessed...

[cassandragirl]

Gina,

I am an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (EM) and we have been told that we do not bless people to avoid confusion between a priestly blessing and any blessing a layperson might do (i.e. parent blessing their kid). We are instructed to simply say ' receive the Lord Jesus in yur heart' if they come up for a blessing.

Hope that helps.

[cassandragirl]

[quote name='jumpfrog' post='1886651' date='Jun 8 2009, 05:49 PM']At my parish, the kids come up after the distribution of communion, and the priest blesses each one...it takes a long time, cause he actually bends down, puts both hands on their heads and says a blessing...maybe about 5 seconds for each kid. Blessing the kids takes almost as long as communion.

It is so great to see all the kiddies come running up the aisle to be blessed...[/quote]

I like that idea - it makes it even planer that the blessing given by the priest is extra special.

[Guest Quis Et Deus?]

Some people have a problem with this because it can be viewed as adding something to the mass, which is not permitted. Back in the 'old' days, when people could not receive communion they would simply stay at their seat and pray to receive communion because they could not, as is what one should be doing. However, I believe that many people do not want to be 'judged' because they cannot receive, so they would rather receive a blessing to relieve their paranoia. In any case, there is no point in receiving a blessing at communion because EVERYONE receives a blessing at the end of mass.

I do not think that the Vatican has an official statement on the matter, but I do know of a diocese or two that has stopped allowing blessings to occur, at least by lay people.

[Nihil Obstat]

[quote name='Quis Et Deus?' post='1889114' date='Jun 12 2009, 12:40 PM']I do not think that the Vatican has an official statement on the matter, but I do know of a diocese or two that has stopped allowing blessings to occur, at least by lay people.[/quote]
Well it's pretty clear that lay people shouldn't do it.

I guess the next logical question is should priests be doing it at that time in the Mass?

Off the top of my head, I can't say I have a problem with it, but other people should comment.

[inunionwithrome]

This was just brought up in our training session on Saturday morning about the blessing of children. Father said it is not the same because he is the only one who can give a sacramental blessing. Also in our parish, the parents kind of expect it. We have about 800 people in our parish and usually around 230-325 for the mass I serve at. So, it is also up to the priest.