Hands folded together for prayer at Mass

[Susan_Calvin]

I rarely if ever folded my hands like in the famous “praying hands” picture. My usual posture is to clasp my hands together with the fingers inlocked. I find it keeps me from fidgeting with my hair, etc, and also sort of “grounds” me so I pay attention better. I would feel a bit weird doing anything else.

 

[tvining]

Not only did I want to bump this back up, but also to share my own experiences.
Growing up, Mom and Dad never took me to mass, as they had fallen from the church for a short time. I began going back on my own, and joined into RCIA and completed First Communion and Confirmation through the RCIA Process.

Given that, I followed my home parish’s reactions of hands folded at waist level most times while standing.
When I moved to San Antonio, TX, where most residents are very devout, I was sometimes GLARED at by the rest of the congregations I attended, where they were mostly 5 on 5. Also response to “LORD be with you” is thrusting as if presenting the LORD to them, and holding the hands out when reciting “May the LORD accept the sacrifice at your hands.”

I moved back to Indiana and have registered at a small country parish. I have kept my gestures from San Antonio, and often get glares for my animate participation, where folded hands are normally not even seen. Personnally, I don’t care what people think. My worship style is mine. While I am sure I won’t be judged on my participation, I know in my heart that I fully participate in the sacrifice of the mass.

TONY

 

[aspirant]

Rather than spreading their arms or lifting them up, they keep them straight down at their sides and flat against them, bend the elbow 90 degrees, and then hold their palms flat up and just curl their fingers over.

Sort of like this, then, or this. The traditional posture of prayer in a Deisis.

Hold your hands the way you find the most helpful to your prayer, and allow others the same privilege.

Agreed.