Eucharistic Blessing
            QUESTION from Sandy on November 25, 2003

Mr. Slavek, I thank God for your informative answers and the time you so generously give to answering the questions on this post. I had read on a previous post that you believe it to be innapropriate for children to approach the alter for a blessing during Communion. My children are very small (4 and 5) and I must bring them up with me when I approach the alter. I was dismayed to think I may have been doing something wrong to encourage this. I have tried to instill in them the Sacredness of His Presence. They do understand that Jesus is present in a special way under the veil of Bread and wine. They enjoy visiting Him in the Blessed Sacrament at our chapel. They talk in their child like way of the day when they will be able to receive, with excitement. During Mass they wait for the moment when the Priest will make the sign of the cross over them individually while holding a Consecrated Host in his hand saying "May the Eucharistic Lord Bless you in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit." My children bow their head during the Blessing and it is the highlight of Mass for them. I was wondering how you would suggest I deny them this, while not making them to feel they are being excluded. Truly it has served to heighten thier anticipation for the day they can actually receive Communion themselves. I am sorrowful at the prospect of them just walking with me and not being able to participate in their own way. It seems that them being so young, such a visible sign, such as Blessing with a Consecrated Host could only serve to help them to understand that they are truly part of Christ's Church now, through Baptism and that it does not begin when they receive their First Communion, but deepens a relationship that already exists. As you can see I am struggling with this, but I do understand your position on non-Catholics and adults who are not prepared to receive. I am just trying to understand how, what seems to be such a benefit to the spiritual life of my children, can be harmful or innapropriate. As young children with the attention span of children, by the time the final Blessing comes, they are usually too worn out to notice. I am aware that they don't need to notice to receive the Graces of the Final Blessing and I am not arguing that it is not sufficient, I am just trying to reconcile denying then something that seems to be so beneficial to them. I keep thinking of the verse in Scripture when Christ says, "Let the children come unto to me"? Thank you for taking the time to read this long post and for the answer which is forthcoming. God Bless you, Sandy