Q: At a family discussion, the following question came up: Can anyone other than a priest or deacon do a Catholic blessing? (Baltimore)
A: As your question would suggest, aside from certain blessings reserved to a bishop (e.g., the consecration of the sacramental oils at the chrism Mass during Holy Week), it is a priest who normally imparts a Catholic blessing.
Certain blessings also are entrusted to deacons — at rites where a deacon is presiding, such as a baptism, a wedding ceremony or the distribution of holy Communion outside of Mass. But many blessings are done properly — and perhaps more appropriately — by laypeople.
The most common example is the blessing of food before a meal, which many families do each evening around the dinner table.
The church’s Book of Blessings lists several other blessings that are normally done by laypeople, including the blessing of sons and daughters by their parents. (In Irish families particularly, parents often gather their children for a blessing when they are leaving home for a new venture or embarking on a trip.)
Another example recommended by the Book of Blessings is the blessing of a newly engaged couple by both sets of parents. Laypeople may also use a suggested prayer of blessing when moving into a new home, although more commonly the parish priest is invited to mark that joyful event.
In one particularly touching prayer, the Book of Blessings envisions a catechist gathering his or her class and asking God’s blessing over them in these words:
“With your unfailing protection, watch over these children. … Grant that they will confess your name in willing faith, be fervent in charity and persevere courageously in the hope of reaching your kingdom.”
Who can attend liturgies for former Anglicans?
Q: I am interested in Catholic liturgies and rites outside the Roman/Latin rite. I know that Latin-rite Catholics are allowed to attend Catholic Eastern-rite liturgies on the same basis as a Latin-rite Mass and also to receive Communion at them. I have been to a number (Maronite, Ukrainian, Ruthenian).
But my question regards the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter, which was set up to allow Anglicans to join the Catholic Church without abandoning all of their liturgical traditions.
Are these Masses just for former Anglicans, or can all Catholics attend them, as they can with more long-standing Catholic rites? (City of origin withheld)
A: First, let’s review the history. In 2012, the Vatican created the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter you mention. It is similar to a diocese, in response to repeated inquiries from Anglican groups who were seeking to become Catholic.
This ordinariate includes communities in the Unites States and Canada, while similar ones were created in Australia and for England and Wales. The ordinariate enables former Anglicans, once they have become Catholic, to retain many aspects of Anglican heritage and traditions.
The liturgy that is celebrated looks very similar to an Anglican service, using texts that incorporate Anglican prayers. In answer to your question, yes, any Catholic is welcome to attend and to participate in liturgies of the ordinariate, just as members of the ordinariate are welcome at liturgies in other Catholic churches.
However, the ordinariate is really intended for those coming from an Anglican tradition.
Questions may be sent to Father Kenneth Doyle at askfatherdoyle@gmail.com and 40 Hopewell St. Albany, N.Y. 12208.
