I read somewhere that those not in full communion with the Catholic Church should not go up during Communion to receive a blessing instead. Problem is I don't remember where I read it.
Here in Hawaii is common for people, especially little kids who haven't received their First Holy Communion, proceed up the aisle with their arms crossed over their chests. This being a sign to the priest or EMHC that they are to receive a blessing instead.
Does anyone know the exact citation?
5 comments:
I'm sorry I don't know the citation, but my husband was taught that in RCIA. My son did this before he received First Communion. It is universal according to our church.
Not speaking as a Catholic (and we Commune infants after their Baptism and Chrismation), but wouldn't there be a difference between not in full Communion as in that you worship in a different church and not in full Communion as in Baptized but not at the age of First Communion?
Your answers are up on my blog :)
Actually this practice was something either induced or infected depending on your point of view from those charismatics. Our bishop (as one of the few things he's done right) is trying to stamp out this practice and have Communion be what it's for - i.e. Communion. The practical problem being, in our parish, being where we are receives many tourists, who may or may not know that this is not encouraged in our diocese. If parents bring up really tiny children who are young enough to be clueless I tell the parents to take the children to Father after Mass to be blessed (Father is happy to do this) - but if the child is "of a certain age" - i.e. old enough to know that they were told they'd get a blessing AND old enough to get their feelings hurt if they didn't get a blessing then - in the intrest of charity and keeping the line moving I might give the kid a short "God bless you" - an older person, old enough not to get their feelings hurt, and I also tell them father will bless them after Mass. Father doesn't want to go through the "Will you people NOT come up in the communion line for blessings" speech every Sunday, but given where we're located we still get a few of those every Mass. Personally, I don't know for sure if it really was the Charismatics, but I think they were the ones who infected people with all the hand holding business (which I personally can't stand.) I do have a firm rule for our servers: NO HAND HOLDING at the Our Father - a gold plated temptation to play "arm wrestle and let's see can make who say uncle or bleed."
Being where we have a severe priest shortage, many priests can't stay after Mass. Those not in full communion who are trying to become so often hava child they are training for First Communion or one who does receive Communion. I would not send a 3rd grader up without an adult to be sure they are reverent, remember what to do and don't get lost in teh sea of adults in a large church finding their way back.
I know for one dear friend it is a very bittersweet moment. Each time she humbly requests a blessing but cannot receive Eucharist it is a sign to me of how precious the sacrament is. How many receive unworthily? How many forget the worth of the gift and stay home because their child is too hard to train.
I realize those in RCIA leave before Eucharist for their lesson and because tehy cannot receive but I find it a charitable way to help the whole church. and it reminds me how many prayers she and others need to come into full communion.
Alexandra, do you mean he was taught it was okay to have a blessing or not okay?
Mimi, thanks Mimi, I am going to read it. :-) We have both people adults and children alike who approach in the Communion line with their arms crossed. It is my understanding, neither those children who haven't made their first communion or adults not in full communion can receive a blessing. BTW, we were told that arms crossed in the Orthodox church means you want communion. Is that true?
Very interesting Karen. BTW, this past Sunday, a parent approached with her little kid and without thinking blessed the child just like I WASN'T supposed to do. I could have kicked myself.
Mary, thanks for sharing that.
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