What To Do?

[InHisLove726]

I am a Eucharistic Minister and I have been for about a year. I just discovered that giving a blessing to one not receiving the Eucharist at Church is not allowed except by a priest. I have been doing this lately, though, with no knowledge. I printed out the document that says I shouldn't be blessing during Communion, and I intend to show it to my priest, but what should I do when little children come up to me, separate from their parents (parents are behind them) and they expect a blessing? My mom and aunt are both EMHCs as well, and have been giving blessings too. What should I tell them? Your help in this matter would be most appreciated!

Edited February 4, 2009 by InHisLove726

[StColette]

[quote name='InHisLove726' post='1771737' date='Feb 4 2009, 01:10 AM']I am a Eucharistic Minister and I have been for about a year. I just discovered that giving a blessing to one not receiving the Eucharist at Church is not allowed except by a priest. I have been doing this lately, though, with no knowledge. I printed out the document that says I shouldn't be blessing during Communion, and I intend to show it to my priest, but what should I do when little children come up to me, separate from their parents (parents are behind them) and they expect a blessing? My mom and aunt are both EMHCs as well, and have been giving blessings too. What should I tell them? Your help in this matter would be most appreciated![/quote]


As you're aware the Code of Canon Law says that only those that are ordained (priesthood or diaconate) may give a blessing from the Church.

Canon 1169
1. Persons who possess the episcopal character as well as presbyters to whom it is permitted by law or by legitimate concession can validly perform consecrations and dedications.
2. Any presbyter can impart blessings, except those which are reserved to the Roman Pontiff or to bishops.
3. A deacon can impart only those blessings which are expressly permitted to him by law.

In my experience, most of the EMHCs that I've gone to carrying my little one just say something like "God Bless you". I believe this is a tactful way of handling the situation. The EMHC is not conferring the blessing, the way a priest or deacon would, but merely asking that God may bless the child. Most non-ordained people saying May God Bless you or something on that order sometime in their life so it wouldn't be seen as an EMHC over stepping his/her bounds. The laity can give blessings, but not on behalf of the Church the way that the ordained are able to. The Catechism of the Catholic Church makes this clear in paragraph 1669.

1669 Sacramentals derive from the baptismal priesthood: every baptized person is called to be a "blessing," and to bless. Hence lay people may preside at certain blessings; the more a blessing concerns ecclesial and sacramental life, the more is its administration reserved to the ordained ministry (bishops, priests, or deacons).

So just say "May God Bless you" or something on that order and it should keep any problems from occurring.