Catholic Liturgy - More on Blessings for Non-communicants

Zenit News Agency ^ | May 24, 2005 | Father Edward McNamara

[Mershon]

"In distributing Holy Communion to Catholics at trad Masses of course I use the trad formula ("Corpus Domini nostri..."). This strikes me as intercessory prayer rather than a blessing, and thus not inappropriate for me as a lay man to pronounce."

Are you a priest? If not, then you are abusing the rubrics by even distributing Holy Communion if indeed it is a Traditional Latin Mass? There is supposed to be no intermixing of rites. NONE. You shouldn't even be distributing Holy Communion as a layman anyway.

NO UNCONSECRATED HANDS - St. Thomas Aquinas

Tell us exactly which parish in what city so us Trads know what "Trad" Mass that is not "Trad" NOT to attend if we are visiting.

[Romulus]

you are abusing the rubrics

Can you direct me to that rubric?

[Romulus]

What Trad Mass uses EEM's?

None, I trust. An extraordinary minister of Holy Communion is not a "minister of the Eucharist."

[Mershon]

So you are a priest or a deacon then, huh?

[te lucis]

An extraordinary minister of Holy Communion is not a "minister of the Eucharist."

I'm interested in the circumstances whereby a layman distributes Communion at a Traditional Latin Mass. Perhaps you could address that, and then explain the difference between an "extraordinary minister of Holy Communion" and a "minister of the Eucharist."

[Romulus]

No; I thought I made that clear above.

[Romulus]

Perhaps you could address that

Address what? Are you implying that it's forbidden?

then explain the difference between an "extraordinary minister of Holy Communion" and a "minister of the Eucharist."

Easy. "Eucharist" means thanksgiving, and in the liturgical sense implies the sacrificial totality of what happens at the altar. A "minister of the Eucharist" is a priest. Only a priest can offer the sacrifice or confect the Sacrament. A "minister of Holy Communion" is merely one who assists in the distribution of the Blessed Sacrament -- something that can happen even outside of Mass, as you know.

[Tantumergo]

"In distributing Holy Communion to Catholics at trad Masses

What Trad Mass uses EEM's?"

Ouch!!! I fear that could be a violation of the rubrics. Even as a deacon, I don't think I am permitted to touch the Body of our Lord with my hands at a TLM!

[Romulus]

That's interesting. Can you point to a specific prohibition?

[Gingersnap]

I sometimes have reason to attend a Roman Catholic mass and I have no problem remaining behind while others line up. I have even been urged to go up for the blessing so I wouldn't feel "funny". Guess what? I don't.

There are plenty of prayerful, respectful, and spiritually productive things to do while waiting for friends or family to return to the pew. People worry about appearances too much. Actually, I would be mightily amused if some poor Catholic thought I remained behind because I was such a flagrant sinner. LOL!

[te lucis]

Address what? Are you implying that it's forbidden?

All I want to know is whether you, as a layan, distribute Communion at a Traditional Latin Mass. As to whether it's forbidden, I can't say with any authority. My Catholic sense sends up big red flags, however. You'd have to concede that it's unusual, if not explicitly forbidden.

Only a priest can offer the sacrifice or confect the Sacrament. A "minister of Holy Communion" is merely one who assists in the distribution of the Blessed Sacrament -- something that can happen even outside of Mass, as you know.

Right. You're an EEM.

[Romulus]

All I want to know is...

Already answered.

You're an EEM

Excuse me; I'm not. There's no such thing as an EEM. Only a priest is a minister of the Eucharist, and he's not "extraordinary".

[Romulus]

I'm sure others will say this, but God bless you for your charity and humility.

[Tantumergo]

"I do this too, but the priest's blessing carries the blessing of the Church with it"

Bishops, priests and deacons are all given the "power" to bless in the name of the Church on entering Holy Orders. I don't know much about all the background theology to this, but I do know there is a huge list in the presbytery which says who can bless what and when! I know I can bless water, people, homes, tractors and lawnmowers, but only a priest or above can bless vestments, and only a bishop or above can consecrate a Church for instance!

However, any baptised Catholic can ask for God to bless someone, and particularly parents should bless and make the sign of the cross on/over their children. The father particularly is head of the domestic church and it is therefore his right and duty to bless his wife and his children, but one must be ordained to bless the wider body of the Church.

Paternal blessings are very Scriptural of course, and Patriarchy is itself the biblical root of priesthood.

[te lucis]

Already answered.

You sure did. In fact, I know more than I wanted to, namely that Indult people actually present themselves before EEM's at what they think are Traditional Latin Masses to receive not only Communion, but some sort of "blessing" concocted on the fly by a layman.

I'll just adhere more formally to my "schism," thanks.

[It's me]

Years ago, in many parishes, many parents did NOT bring young children to Mass and churches had NO cry rooms since there were no children crying during mass because they weren't there.

Also, years ago, people brought young children to Mass and they behaved!

They also did not bring food, drinks, (non-Catholic) books, etc., to keep their little ones quiet.

[Tantumergo]

"Can you point to a specific prohibition?"

I'm afraid I don't have an Altar Missal of the old rite handy to consult the rubrics.

Obviously, non-celebrating priests can be called in to help with the distribution of Holy Communion at the old Mass, but I don't recall seeing anything about deacons, sub-deacons or acolytes being permitted to do this.

Perhaps someone reading the thread might have a copy of Fortescue which they can consult?

To be honest, even in the N.O. I always receive our Lord on the tongue and try to avoid handling the Sacrament as much as possible, so maybe I am being over-cautious in my assumptions.

[te lucis]

The father particularly is head of the domestic church and it is therefore his right and duty to bless his wife and his children, but one must be ordained to bless the wider body of the Church.

I'll ask a priest when I get a chance & get back to you.

Paternal blessings are very Scriptural of course, and Patriarchy is itself the biblical root of priesthood.

Sounds Protestant to me. I've seen some vague quotes from the CCC, and a couple of opinions, but I remain unconvinced.

[Dominick]

There's a difference between asking God to bless someone, and imparting a blessing in the name of God

Absolutely. I think in the case of a Parental Blessing, I am calling on God, as the Child's parent to Bless them. I feel as a parent it is my duty to help my children in this way.

It is distinctly different from the theory that "anyone can bless anyone", I am not anyone, I have been called on by God to raise and nurture my Children, and I answer to Him.

It is traditional, from the Old Testament, through the ages, where my parents and grandparents did it, and I do it too. I never thought about it as respect to Catholicism.

For once, I am at a loss for a CCL, CCC or GIRM reference telling me that this practice is proper or that I am to do this.

[Romulus]

Fortescue is silent on the question, as I recall. In any case, he's advisory, not authoritative.

I'm afraid I don't have an Altar Missal of the old rite handy

Sure you do. Just go to Google and type in "Ritus Servandus". You'll find that the rubric mentions only the "sacerdos" in the distribution of Holy Communion. It does not forbid the substitution of a deacon or instituted acolyte. If that prohibition exists elsewhere, I'm willing to be informed. I'm thoroughly aware of the iconic significance of receiving the Sacrament from a priest, and would cheerfully agree that this is to be preferred. The exigencies of parochial life make this difficult, however. When several hundred persons present themselves at the altar rail, it puts quite a strain on a lone man who's not in ideal health. Then there's the purely practical matter of the time it would take for one man to communicate the whole congregation. Spare priests are scarce these days.

even in the N.O. I always receive our Lord on the tongue

As do I, and always have. I do not believe I've ever received in my hand in my life.

Are you a permanent deacon?