Michael Brooks
The Catholic Church has a long tradition of blessing those who are about to receive Holy Communion. However, there is some debate about whether Catholics should bless themselves after receiving Communion. While some parishes have codified this practice in their instructions, it is not a widespread or official Church teaching or ritual. The sign of the cross is reserved for blessing oneself with holy water upon entering the church and at the beginning and end of Mass. After receiving Communion, the focus is on “receiving Jesus”, and hands that have touched the Body of Christ and the chalice of his Blood should be reverently clasped together.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Blessing oneself after receiving communion | Not an official Church teaching or ritual |
| Who can give blessings during communion | Only priests or ordained ministers |
| Who can receive blessings during communion | Only Catholics who have received their First Holy Communion and are in a state of grace |
| Why do people receive blessings during communion? | To make non-communicants feel more welcomed and included |
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What You'll Learn
- Blessings during Communion originated to make non-communicants feel included
- The Church teaches that blessings are for after Communion, not during
- Some believe blessings during Communion blur the lines between laity and clergy
- The sign of the cross is reserved for blessing oneself with holy water, not after Communion
- Communion blessings for children are controversial and not encouraged
Blessings during Communion originated to make non-communicants feel included
The Catholic Church has a long tradition of blessings during Communion. However, the practice of blessing non-communicants during Communion has been a topic of discussion and debate among Catholics. Some argue that blessings during Communion originated to make non-communicants feel included, while others have expressed concerns about the potential impact on the perception of Communion and the role of the clergy.
The desire for inclusivity and a sense of unity during Communion may have contributed to the custom of blessing non-communicants. This practice allows everyone to participate and feel welcomed during the Communion rite. It is especially relevant in places with a significant Catholic minority, such as Australia and the United States, where non-Catholics may be present at Mass due to family or cultural reasons. By receiving a blessing, non-communicants can feel included in the ceremony without actually taking Communion.
In his letter, Father Anthony Ward, the undersecretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship at the Vatican, reiterated the Church's teaching that the liturgical blessing is properly given to all at the conclusion of the Mass, shortly after the distribution of Holy Communion. This is further supported by Canon Law and the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM). Some dioceses, such as the Diocese of Saint Augustine, have norms that discourage the blessing of non-communicants during the distribution of Holy Communion.
While the intention behind blessing non-communicants may be positive, some Catholics have expressed concerns about potential consequences. They argue that receiving a blessing instead of Communion might satisfy some people enough that they never regularize their situation before God and the Church. There is also a worry that the practice could blur the lines between laity and the clergy, as lay extraordinary ministers of Communion are not authorized to give liturgical blessings. Additionally, the act of blessing oneself after receiving Communion is not an official Church teaching or ritual, and some view it as an unnecessary addition to the Mass.
In conclusion, while blessings during Communion may have originated with the intention of making non-communicants feel included, it is important to consider the potential implications for the Catholic community as a whole. The Church continues to discuss and reflect on this practice, striving to balance inclusivity with the preservation of traditional liturgical practices.
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The Church teaches that blessings are for after Communion, not during
In 2008, the undersecretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship at the Vatican, Father Anthony Ward, sent a letter reiterating the Church's teaching on blessings during Communion. The letter states that the liturgical blessing of the Holy Mass is given to all at the conclusion of the Mass, just after the distribution of Holy Communion.
The practice of receiving blessings during the Communion rite is said to have started to make those who weren't receiving Holy Communion feel more welcomed. However, the Church's discipline has made clear that those who are not admitted to Holy Communion should not approach to receive a blessing. This includes non-Catholics and those under excommunication or interdict, or those who persist in manifest grave sin.
The Diocese of Orlando, while open to the practice, makes explicit restrictions, stating that lay ministers should not use the same gestures or formulas as clerics when blessing.
While some parishes have codified the practice of blessing during Communion in their instructions, it is not an official Church teaching or ritual. The sign of the cross is reserved for blessing oneself with holy water when entering the church and at the beginning and end of Mass. After receiving Communion, the focus is on "receiving Jesus", rather than the Holy Trinity, which is what the sign of the cross calls to mind.
In addition, Communion-line blessings can be seen as unnecessary, especially when kneeling to receive Communion, and may detract from the act of receiving Jesus.
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Some believe blessings during Communion blur the lines between laity and clergy
The debate surrounding blessings during Communion and whether they blur the lines between laity and clergy has been a topic of discussion within the Catholic Church. Some individuals argue that the practice of receiving blessings during the Communion rite can create ambiguity regarding the roles of the laity and the clergy. This concern stems from the belief that blessings are typically associated with those who are ordained or hold a specific religious authority.
One of the primary concerns regarding blessings during Communion is the potential for individuals to view the blessing as a substitute for Communion itself. This could lead to a situation where individuals who are not admitted to Holy Communion, such as non-Catholics or those under excommunication, receive a blessing instead. While the intention may be to foster inclusivity, there is a risk that the distinction between those who are ordained and laypeople becomes less clear.
Additionally, there is a risk that individuals may not fully understand the theological implications of receiving a blessing during Communion. They may view it as a symbolic gesture without recognizing its deeper meaning within the Catholic faith. This could lead to a dilution of the sacred nature of the Communion rite and potentially impact the way individuals perceive the role of the clergy in administering blessings and sacraments.
Furthermore, the practice of blessings during Communion may inadvertently encourage individuals to prioritize their feelings of inclusion over the traditional rituals and reverence associated with the Mass. While inclusivity is important, the primary focus of the Mass is to honor God and recognize the sacrifice of Christ. By emphasizing inclusivity through blessings, there is a risk of shifting the focus away from the sacred nature of the rite and towards individual feelings of participation.
To address these concerns, some parishes have chosen to refrain from offering blessings during the Communion rite. Instead, they emphasize the importance of adhering to traditional rituals, such as bowing before receiving Communion, to maintain the distinction between laity and clergy. However, other parishes continue to offer blessings during Communion, believing that it is a way to welcome non-Catholics and lapsed Catholics, as well as to foster a sense of unity within the community.
Ultimately, the debate surrounding blessings during Communion and their potential impact on the roles of laity and clergy remains a complex issue within the Catholic Church. While some view it as a way to extend hospitality and inclusivity, others believe it may inadvertently lead to theological misunderstandings and a blurring of the lines between the roles of the ordained clergy and lay members of the Church.
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The sign of the cross is reserved for blessing oneself with holy water, not after Communion
The sign of the cross is a sacred gesture in the Catholic Church. However, it is not to be performed after receiving Communion. This is because the focus at this point in the Mass is on "receiving Jesus", rather than on the Holy Trinity, which is what the sign of the cross calls to mind. Instead, the Church asks that Communion is received reverently, with the hands clasped together after touching the Body of Christ and the chalice of his Blood.
The sign of the cross is reserved for blessing oneself with holy water upon entering the church and at the beginning and end of Mass. It is also used by the priest when giving blessings to non-communicants, such as children and non-Catholics, during the Communion rite. This custom is not universally accepted within the Church, with some sources stating that it gives the impression that non-communicants are "in good standing".
The practice of blessing oneself after receiving Communion is not an official Church teaching or ritual. It is also not a widespread practice, although there are some parishes where it is common. It is thought that this custom may have originated from priests teaching it as a pious act, or from the idea that God would punish those who chewed the host.
In summary, the sign of the cross is a sacred gesture in the Catholic Church, but it is reserved for specific moments during Mass and for blessing non-communicants. The focus after receiving Communion should be on "receiving Jesus", rather than on the Holy Trinity.
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Communion blessings for children are controversial and not encouraged
Communion blessings for children are a controversial topic within the Catholic Church, with some sources stating that the practice should not be encouraged. While the desire for inclusivity has contributed to the custom of blessing children during Mass, there are several reasons why this practice is not officially endorsed by the Church.
Firstly, the liturgical blessing of the Holy Mass is typically given to all at the conclusion of the Mass, shortly after the distribution of Holy Communion. Thus, receiving a blessing during the Communion rite may be unnecessary and may even add length to the Mass. Additionally, the Church's discipline states that those who are not admitted to Holy Communion, including non-Catholics and those under excommunication or interdict, should not approach Holy Communion nor receive a blessing.
Secondly, there is no official Church teaching or ritual that instructs individuals to bless themselves or make the sign of the cross after receiving Communion. The sign of the cross is typically reserved for blessing oneself with holy water upon entering the church and at the beginning and end of Mass. After receiving Communion, individuals are expected to clasp their hands reverently, emphasizing the understanding that "you have received Jesus".
Thirdly, the Second Vatican Council's statement in Sacrosanctum Concilium paragraph 22 asserts that "no other person, even if he be a priest, may add, remove, or change anything in the liturgy on his own authority". This suggests that a priest does not have the authority to add a blessing to the liturgy where one does not exist, and that blessings for children during Communion may be outside of what is prescribed for that moment during Mass.
Finally, some argue that receiving a blessing instead of Communion may satisfy some people enough to never regularize their situation before God and the Church. It may also be confusing for those from countries where children are not typically blessed during Communion.
While opinions vary among priests and dioceses, the overall consensus is that Communion blessings for children are not officially encouraged by the Catholic Church.
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Frequently asked questions
Crossing oneself after receiving Communion is not an official Church teaching or ritual. The Church simply asks that we receive Communion reverently, either by slightly bowing before receiving or by kneeling.
Some Catholics were taught to bless themselves after receiving communion by their parents or priests. This practice is common in certain parishes and dioceses.
The Church's discipline has made clear that non-communicants, including non-Catholics and those under the penalty of excommunication, should not approach Holy Communion nor receive a blessing. However, some dioceses and parishes have codified the practice in their instructions.
Lay ministers should not bless non-communicants with a gesture or formula used by clerics, such as making the sign of the cross over someone while using the Trinitarian formula.
