Response: Blessings at Communion

Welp, apparently an entry on Father Z's blog and an entry on mine connected at some point yesterday, because I got few e-mails "reminding me" that taking my son to the priest's line for a special blessing is pointless since he gets blessed at the end of Mass anyway.  Plus, some of these well-meaning folks feel as though I'm simply setting Vincent up to expect that Communion is about him and not about Jesus. 

Firstly, thank you for your concern about my son's spiritual well-being.  Another pair of eyes (or several) is always helpful, especially in this chaotic world we find ourselves in. 

That being said, I'd like to explain myself a little more clearly.

I am fully aware that we all receive the same blessing from the priest at the end of Mass.  In fact, at each final blessing, I am consciously aware of the guardian angels who bow their heads down with us as they, themselves, acknowledge the surpassing dignity of priests.  Thus, I don't intend Vincent's communion line "blessing" to be an "bonus blessing" or anything different from the final blessing.  Instead, I view it as a learning experience for a toddler. 

He is much too young to understand that the Host Mommy receives is Jesus, but he IS aware that something different is happening in this line as opposed to the supermarket line.  The blessing helps reinforce that.  I want Vincent to understand there is a ritual to the Communion line.  For him, that ritual consists of walking up with Mommy, stooping as Mommy genuflects before the Sacrament, and standing still as the priest makes the sign of the cross on his forehead.  As he gets older, I will explain that since Jesus cannot come to him in the Eucharist, He comes to him in the form of the priest's blessing (after all, the priest is simply standing in for Jesus, Himself). 

In effect, the blessing is not about Vincent but about Jesus wanting to communicate His Love to Vincent. 

I imagine that's exactly what Jesus wants to do during Communion.  He longs to tell us of His Love, and wishes us to reciprocate that Love.  Thus, I doubt Jesus takes issue with a priest stooping to acknowledge a child through a blessing when that blessing reinforces Christ's desire to bless us abundantly in countless ways.

So again, while I appreciate the messages and "reminders" I assure you that I am aware of how things work.  I will still take Vincent to Father's line when I'm able until Vincent is old enough to understand just what a blessing attending a Mass is, even without reception of the Eucharist.

***Been getting a large uptick in traffic to this particular page recently (as of May 2012).  If you'd be so kind as to let me know where you're being linked from, I'd appreciate it.  Would like to thank whoever is forwarding traffic my way.  Blessings!***

---