Lay People Raising Hands To Bless?

[sixpence]

I was recently at a mass where the priest was going to bless the families that had had their babies baptized over the past year, but instead of just him, he asked for the whole congregation to raise their hands over these people during the blessing.... this seem strange to me... is this allowed?

[cappie]

There are two main types of blessings. The first, sometimes called “constitutive” blessings, confer a sacred character on the person, place or thing, dedicating it to the service of God.

The other type, sometimes called “invocative”, ask for God’s blessing on such things as houses, cars, meals, trips, etc., without making them sacred.

Who can give blessings? The short answer is that anyone, even lay people, can give blessings on certain occasions, but the Church restricts some blessings to bishops, others to priests and deacons, and others can be given by lay people.

The general principle regarding blessings is that “the more a blessing concerns ecclesial and sacramental life, the more is its administration reserved to the ordained ministry (bishops, priests, or deacons)” (CCC 1669).

As for blessings reserved to bishops, the Code of Canon Law says that “Consecrations and dedications can be validly carried out by those who are invested with the episcopal character, and by priests who are permitted to do so by law or by legitimate grant” (Can. 1169, §1).

There are certain ordinary blessings that all the lay faithful, including children, can carry out. These include blessing oneself with holy water upon entering or leaving a church, blessing a meal and blessing oneself at the beginning of a trip.

Some other more formal blessings in De Benedictionibus can also be imparted by lay people, including the blessing of a family and of sons and daughters. Thirteen such blessings are listed.

In general, when a priest or deacon imparts a blessing he extends his hands over the person or thing, whereas a lay person keeps the hands folded.

The blessings given by lay people do not confer a sacred character on the person or thing, but merely invoke God’s protection and blessing.

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Fr John Flader, adult education director and Opus Dei priest