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Question Title Posted By Question Date
Blessing Children in the Communion Line Karl Friday, January 14, 2005

Question:

What is the church's position on blessing small children who accompany their parents to Communion? I frequently see the priest bend down and make the Sign of the Cross over a small child or baby, then touch their head. Is this allowed or should the priest be reported for an abuse? Similarly, in some parishes with deacons, I have seen the deacon distributing communion do this also. Can a deacon even perform a blessing, or is that restricted to priests.

Question Answered by Mr. Jacob Slavek

Dear Karl,

I don't believe this has ever been addressed officially, at least it's not in the instructions for the Mass.  The communion line is for receiving Communion, not for other blessings.  The children and other adults not receiving communion still receive the blessing after communion.

Deacons can only give blessings where it is prescribed in the ritual books during the Liturgy.

Mr. Slavek
Footer Notes: (a) A Eucharistic Minister is clergy (Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion). Laity are Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and should never be called Eucharistic Ministers.

(b) There is no such Mass called the Novus Ordo. The Current Mass is the Roman Missal of 2000, or the Oridinary Form of the Mass. The Tridentine Mass is the Roman Missal of 1962, or the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. Please refrain from using the term, Novus Ordo. Thanks.

(c) The titles of Acolyte and Lector belong exclusively to the Installed Offices of Acolyte and Lector, who are men (only) appointed by the Bishop. These roles performed by others are Altar Servers and Readers, respectively.