Altar Server Hand Position

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catholic03

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Hello

I am an altar server in the Ordinary Form of the Holy Mass. There are many altar servers at my parish, and most of them when not occupied or during the procession/recession (presuming they’re not holding the processional cross) simply have their hands by their side. I have done this as well. This hand position seems to be the encouraged one. I recently saw some altar servers at Mass with their hands together pointing upwards as you often see altar servers do on televised Mass or in more traditional OF Masses and all EF Masses. Is this the correct manner to have your hands, or is it just one way?

Thank you, and God Bless.
 
Yes, when not occupied an Altar Servers hands should be held together, pointing towards heaven, right thumb crossed over the left.
 
The liturgical book “Ceremonial of Bishops” has:

“Joined hands
107 Unless the bishop is holding the pastoral staff, he keeps his hands joined: [footnote 80: “Hands joined” means: “Holding the palms sideward and together before the breast, with the right thumb crossed over the left” (Caeremoniale Episcoporum, ed. 1886, I, XIX, 1).] when, vested, he walks in procession for the celebration of a liturgy, when he is kneeling in prayer; when he moves from the altar to chair or from chair to altar; when the liturgical books prescribe joined hands.
Similarly, concelebrants and ministers keep their hands joined when walking from place to place or when standing, unless they are holding something.”

[Excerpt from the English translation of Ceremoial of Bishops, © 1989, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.]
 
Yes, that’s proper. Talk with your priest about what he wants. If he is not opposed to “gathered hands” the rest of the servers should be instructed.
 
Folding the hands in the traditional praying position - exterior expression of or even a subconscious reminder to those in the pews to pray the Mass.
 
Hands together in prayer position when the hands are not “doing a job”.
 
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