Mateo el Feo Posted May 28, 2006 Share Posted May 28, 2006 In some "Spirit of Vatican II" parishes I have visited, I noticed a practice that I am unsure about. During baptisms, the priest would ask the crowd to hold up their hand (aka [i]hiel Hitler[/i]), and bless the newly baptized person. So, my questions: 1) Would the rules regarding laymen publicly giving a blessing be relevant here? 2) What is the history of this practice? 3) Is it explicitly approved or condemned in Church documents? As an aside, we just recently saw (in Cardinal Mahoney's religious education conference) the laymen "co-consecrating" the host during the Eucharistic prayer. Has anyone seen this practice in the context of other sacraments? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XIX Posted May 28, 2006 Share Posted May 28, 2006 If it's right after the person has been baptised, then I don't see a big problem with it, because the whole Sacrament has already been administered. I've seen it happen in a few parishes, for whatever that's worth. But don't take my word for it; I'm not citing any Church documents or anything like that. I'm not quite sure where to find one. Also, I haven't witnessed any co-consecration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myles Domini Posted May 28, 2006 Share Posted May 28, 2006 [quote name='Mateo el Feo' post='991915' date='May 28 2006, 08:54 PM'] In some "Spirit of Vatican II" parishes I have visited, I noticed a practice that I am unsure about. During baptisms, the priest would ask the crowd to hold up their hand (aka [i]hiel Hitler[/i]), and bless the newly baptized person. So, my questions: 1) Would the rules regarding laymen publicly giving a blessing be relevant here? 2) What is the history of this practice? 3) Is it explicitly approved or condemned in Church documents? As an aside, we just recently saw (in Cardinal Mahoney's religious education conference) the laymen "co-consecrating" the host during the Eucharistic prayer. Has anyone seen this practice in the context of other sacraments? [/quote] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akalyte Posted May 28, 2006 Share Posted May 28, 2006 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myles Domini Posted May 28, 2006 Share Posted May 28, 2006 [quote name='Akalyte' post='991974' date='May 28 2006, 11:11 PM'] [/quote] Ya kna what I mean... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zwergel88 Posted May 31, 2006 Share Posted May 31, 2006 sounds phishy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Franimus Posted May 31, 2006 Share Posted May 31, 2006 as in co-consecrating... do you mean how the Church teaches taht the congregation is a vital part of the consecration? Are there "rules regarding laymen publicly giving a blessing?" What are they? I think that if those rules exist, they should be adhered to since non-Catholic family members are typically invited to baptisms (especially if a parent is non-Catholic, as is my dad). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldenchild17 Posted June 1, 2006 Share Posted June 1, 2006 This stuff happened in a number of the Novus Ordo parishes I attended when I was still in communion. Not the reason I left. But I see why it is wrong now . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jezic Posted June 1, 2006 Share Posted June 1, 2006 [quote]as in co-consecrating... do you mean how the Church teaches taht the congregation is a vital part of the consecration? Are there "rules regarding laymen publicly giving a blessing?" What are they? I think that if those rules exist, they should be adhered to since non-Catholic family members are typically invited to baptisms (especially if a parent is non-Catholic, as is my dad).[/quote] The Catholic Church does not teach that the congregation is a vital part of the Consecration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Franimus Posted June 1, 2006 Share Posted June 1, 2006 [quote name='jezic' post='993874' date='May 31 2006, 07:10 PM'] The Catholic Church does not teach that the congregation is a vital part of the Consecration. [/quote] I read somewhere that those attending Mass are vital, since they should be praying about it during the consecration. I could be slightly off in wording somewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OLAM Dad Posted June 1, 2006 Share Posted June 1, 2006 It is stupid and inclusive. Don't do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musturde Posted June 1, 2006 Share Posted June 1, 2006 I don't get it. So the group put out their hands to pray a prayer over the Baby after it was baptized.... Well if it's after and not during, whats the big deal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jezic Posted June 1, 2006 Share Posted June 1, 2006 If the people were vital, what about private celebrations of the priest alone (which are valid) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toledo_jesus Posted June 1, 2006 Share Posted June 1, 2006 [quote name='musturde' post='993905' date='May 31 2006, 07:57 PM'] I don't get it. So the group put out their hands to pray a prayer over the Baby after it was baptized.... Well if it's after and not during, whats the big deal? [/quote] the problem is that it is meant to convey the sort of blessing that the priest is allowed to impart. It is as pointless a gesture as holding hands during the Lord's prayer, because a layman trying to bless something is like a cowboy shooting blanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mateo el Feo Posted June 1, 2006 Author Share Posted June 1, 2006 Quoting from the Catholic Encyclopedia ([url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02599b.htm"]link[/url]): [quote]Since, then, blessings, in the sense in which they are being considered, are entirely of ecclesiastical institution, the Church has the power to determine who shall have the right and duty to confer them. This she has done by entrusting their administration to those who are in sacerdotal orders.[/quote] A man receives the power to confer a blessing at his ordination to the diaconate. It seems to me that communal blessings are another small attempt to blur the distinction between ordained priests and laity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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