N
NanaGigi
Guest
I attended a Mass last weekend while traveling in MN where I believe I observed several liturgical abuses. It was FIrst Communion and the priest had 8 children come up all around him at the altar during the Consecration and Eucharistic prayer. (not correct, right?) One child had his elbows all over the altar the entire time. The priest asked everyone to join hands for the “Our Father.” He also held hands with the deacon and altar servers (isn’t he supposed to be in the orrans position?). The priest came out of the sanctuary to shake hands with all around during the “handshake of peace.” (not correct, right?) But, the worst, after the “Our Father” where we say “and deliver us from evil,” he did not finish his part of the prayer, but rather, raised his hands (while still attached to the others) and said "For thine is the Kingdom . . . etc. I was stunned!
I know that most Catholics hold hands during the Our Father (I do not), but it is my understanding that this is not approved by Rome and is a Protestant gesture brought into the Catholic Church by the laity. Our unity is supposed to be the Eucharist, unlike Protestants who hold hands for unity because they do not have the Eucharist.
I would appreciate your consideration of these questions.
I know that most Catholics hold hands during the Our Father (I do not), but it is my understanding that this is not approved by Rome and is a Protestant gesture brought into the Catholic Church by the laity. Our unity is supposed to be the Eucharist, unlike Protestants who hold hands for unity because they do not have the Eucharist.
I would appreciate your consideration of these questions.