Does This Bother Anyone Else?

[MissyP89]

Tracing a cross seems okay. My best friend's father has done that to me before--it's different from a blessing, IMO. However, I don't know what I would do if a little kid walked up to me asking for a blessing. It would probably confuse him/her if I tried to explain, or send them to the priest. Then again, I'm not an EMHC, nor do I plan to be.

What about just touching their shoulder and saying, "God bless you"? Christians do that to each other all the time.

[Noel's angel]

My point was that people should be told not to present themselves to EHMCs for blessings. Sometimes people have a go at the EHMCs for doing things like this, but if they are put in a position where it would be very awkward not to do something, then I don't think we can blame them. Priests should make it clear to the people that they alone are to give blessings.

Edited July 7, 2008 by Noel's angel

[CatherineM]

When I was an EM 18+ years ago, it wasn't an issue because only people receiving communion came up. Kids under the age of first communion were in the nursery. We also only handled the cup, not ciborium.

[DemonSlayer]

We have a pretty big attendance in my church, so I special ministers are porbably essential, in terms of the blessing, I thought any Catholic can bless another person, although not in the same way as a priest.

Edited July 8, 2008 by DemonSlayer

[Resurrexi]

[quote name='Lil Red' post='1593429' date='Jul 6 2008, 11:06 PM']+J.M.J.+
it bothers me too.

but today, the EM just traced the sign of the cross on my girl's forehead, no blessing involved. which made me happier. [/quote]

Except there was the fact that, you know, there were probably particles of the Blessed Sacrament on the Extraordinary Minister's thumb that got smudged onto her forehead... just saying.

Edit. This certainly wasn't meant to offend you or you daughter at all, btw. I am only speaking the truth that perhaps Sacred Particles were on the Extraordinary Minister's fingers, because that ususally is the case when one handles the Host, as the tradition of the Roman Rite shows.

Edited July 8, 2008 by StThomasMore

[salterrae]

JM + JT

Why come up for a blessing at all?

Has everyone forgotten the final blessing at the end of Mass?

[salterrae]

JM + JT

Why come up for a blessing at all?

Has everyone forgotten the final blessing at the end of Mass?

[mortify]

The ironic thing is, when it comes to the *extraordinary* form of Mass, liberals made it a point that "extraordinary" means it's to be done rarely! Guess the rules only apply to "traditional" matters!

[let_go_let_God]

I was an EMHC during my time at a "Catholic" college. We were told to just say "may God bless you" the priest we asked said that it wasn't infringing on anything and that many of us say it all the time to those that are around us. He also included that special blessing and such were reserved only for the priest and the priest alone and if he ever caught us doing that he'd smack us in a very reverent way. He was one of the best things to happen to our campus while he was there.

God bless-
LGLG

[Lil Red]

[quote name='let_go_let_God' post='1595303' date='Jul 8 2008, 01:49 PM']if he ever caught us doing that he'd smack us in a very reverent way.[/quote]
+J.M.J.+

[dominicansoul]

It [size=7]bothers[/size] me...[size=7]ALOT![/size]

[salterrae]

JM + JT

I saw this happen a few Sundays ago and was waiting for a chance to get on the computer to post about it. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one.

I want my turn at Communion rails (and receiving only from the priest).

Edited July 9, 2008 by salterrae

[friendofJPII]

Good question. I have to think about it. Lay people have the right and power to bless, but I don't think their blessing is not the same as the blessing of an ordained priest. Communion just doesn't seem like right time to it. I think it makes more of a spectacle.

[salterrae]

JM + JT

This brings up another concern I have:

Should lectors process in? How about where they sit: should they be sitting right next to the main celebrant? (I've even seen a cantor sit right next to the main celebrant.)

I don't usually like going to Spanish masses since I get lost and can't speak that fast in Spanish for the responses, but I was so happy to see how much better they were at... IDK... everything (or at least at keeping me happy )

The EMs (or whatever their proper abbreviation is) did not process in, and when they received the ciboria and chalices, they were not in the sanctuary (or at least not behind the altar like at my parish). This made up for the fact that they were used in the first place, though I understand it is allowed and I guess there was a need. ( )

The deacon read the petitions (though I understand not all parishes can have deacons at all Masses).

The tabernacle was behind the altar, not the main celebrant, meaning that the celebrant was off to the side.

Though my home parish is much nicer looking, they could learn a few things from this other parish.

Edited July 9, 2008 by salterrae

[Noel's angel]

Our parish is pretty good when it comes to doing things relatively nicely. Our church is in the shape of a cross, and the lectors sit in the first pew of the left hand section, near the ambo. The cantor comes down from the gallery and sits beside them. When it's time for the psalm, the cantor will stand a few paces away from the ambo. EMHCs stand near the sanctuary until it is time for them to receive, then they stand on the first step to receive. There's no parading around the altar for them. Tabernacle front and centre. No blessings from people who shouldn't be blessing.

Edited July 10, 2008 by Noel's angel