
As to the hands posture, I was taught by my parents and by the Sisters and Priests to hold my hands in prayer like the praying hands statue, not the orans position. Actually, I believe I read on either the Vatican web site
www.vatican.va or the EWTN web site,
www.ewtn.com that the Priest only is to hold his hands in the orans position. I read it years ago, and wasn’t looking for it when I ran across it, that is why I don’t remember for sure.
Also, an earlier poster said “since when is EWTN the Vatican.” It never has been, nor does it pretend to be, however, they are faithful to the Church and do have many things on their site in keeping with the Vatican web site. EWTN would not mislead anyone.
I never really ever even thought about the postion of my hands as I have never left the Church, I have always prayed with my eyes closed and my hands folded in prayer (the praying hands position), and my head bowed during the Our Father and do not have any idea if people are reaching for me or not, I haven’t done it to be “pious” or “holy”, I have done it because I was taught to, and I never stopped doing it. As someone else said earlier, it is a matter of reverence. Keep in mind who you are praying to.
If it bothers some that I am praying the Our Father this way, then perhaps, they ought to say their Our Father for me, and pay particular attention to the part that prays…forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those…
Once, when I went into the Adoration chapel, their was a lady there, kneeling in prayer right in front of Jesus with her hands in the orans position, it was the most beautiful thing I believe I have ever witnessed, I thought and felt that this woman was truly praising Him, worshipping Him, totally in love with Him and not even aware of my presence. That is as it should be.
