Debate - Traditional Issues | Forum profile

As an E M H C myself I have given out 'blessings' to children. I have been instructed to say "May God bless you" and sign a cross with my fingers, not with my hand. So it is obviously not a priestly blessing. As far as I am aware, it is the rough equivalent when I help out with the distribution of ashes or the blessing of throats on St. Blase day. We read a formula that in no way imparts a priestly blessing. For St....

While I'm an adult convert, I'd like to say something as the Jew that I can never stop being: Even Jews share ritually blessed bread and blessed wine, in communion ( albeit with each other and God - but not with the Savior, whom they still await ), after Services . Yes - it's true that that ritual blessing and sharing take place in the congregation hall - not the sanctuary, and during what is generally called the Oneg Shabbat -...

Quote: Originally Posted by StephanieB While I'm an adult convert, I'd like to say something as the Jew that I can never stop being: Even Jews share ritually blessed bread and blessed wine, in communion ( albeit with each other and God - but not with the Savior, whom they still await ), after Services . Yes - it's true that that ritual blessing and sharing take place in the congregation hall - not the sanctuary, and during what...

Dear Cignalman, You write: Quote: I have explained why the scriptures alone cannot provide evidence that early followers of Jesus believed in transubstantiation. It is the simple reality that the authors of the bible could not have possibly written from a historical perspective. In most cases, we don’t even know who the authors were. I also stated that no two manuscripts could possibly be the same at that time. As a result, the New Testament...

Quote: Originally Posted by StephanieB Of course, in Holy Communon - there is more to tht old Jewish ritual blessing - if one beleives in Transubstantiation. Actually, the transformation occurs whether one believes in it, or not. Just giving you a hard time, Steph. peace and joy

I've been told by several priests that a blessing at that time is appropriate, despite the regulation in the GIRM. In addition, we were taught the correct way to give such a blessing in the training session for becoming an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. I doubt that the Lord would be offended by someone offering a blessing to one of His children.

I always thought there was a distinction to be made with the fact that the children getting blessed are "babes in arms" or toddlers, too young to stay in the pew alone, accompanying their receiving parent; as opposed to adults who are ineligible to receive who just go up for a blessing when rightfully they should stay in the pew. It seems presumptuous for ineligible adults to enter a line meant for receiving Communion and use...