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m8p
Guest
I am sure this is not right. The bishop of my diocese put out some information but I cant find it. Does anyone know where I can find some info?
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ncjohn
Guest
There are a couple previous threads on this topic where it has been beaten to death.
The long and short of it is, if your bishop condemns it, you should not be doing it. If your bishop was to mandate it (which none have that I’m aware of), you would need to follow his instruction. If your bishop has taken no position, you are essentially free to make your own decision.
Whichever you prefer, within the guidelines set by your bishop, should be done in charity without trying to impose your personal preference on anyone else around you.
Peace,
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netmilsmom
Guest
Go to your Diocese website.
If you tell us where you are at, we might be able to help you.
Some Bishops discourage it, some encourage it.
No one will punish you if you would like to do it, and for sure when it is a family or friend group. I’m with you, I don’t like it but I’m blessed to have found a parish that doesn’t.
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TheRam
Guest
I pray with my hands at my side, but reaching outwards. I do this with my eyes closed to concentrate on every word. I lift up my word with faith devine, and allow the child in me reach for her father in a holy devotion to his place in my life. It is then only, that i am ashured that the holy spirit will visit my heart, as it will only come where it is asked to enter…as with the father.
Now, how can this be a wrong perspective? IMHO
Now, how can this be a wrong perspective? IMHO
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Thomas_More_1
Guest
I really really dislike this practice!
Although that’s my strong personal reaction, it’s not a big deal because the GIRM is silent on it.
However you should definitely NOT do the following:
Although that’s my strong personal reaction, it’s not a big deal because the GIRM is silent on it.
However you should definitely NOT do the following:
- Don’t hold your hands up in the orans posture. That is for the celebrant priest. Even the concelebrants, deacons, servers and others in the sanctuary are not to be in the orans posture. Why should anyone in the pew do it?
- Don’t try to grab the hands of folks you don’t know. I want to ignore the very corny non-prescribed-in-the-GIRM hand-holding of my fellow Catholics (who are probably holier than me anyway, so why should I focus on hand-holding?) How can I do that IF YOU TRY TO GRAB MY HAND WHEN I’M NEXT TO YOU? Please, please please, don’t do it. Then I will have to seem rude when I refuse and take my hand away, but I don’t want to be rude. I just want to pray and not have to wipe your palm sweat off my hand.
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netmilsmom
Guest
Is this in private prayer? Then nothing is wrong with it at all.
Is it in the Holy Mass? Then it is not about you.
Check with your Diocese. You may be disobeying your Bishop with this innovation as well.
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Jabronie
Guest
When you’re in church, you are literally in the presence of Christ. You need not reach upward toward The Father in Heaven. He’s right there in front of you.
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netmilsmom
Guest
I don’t understand this.
So are you saying that if I am on my knees, with my hands folded in front of me, asking that the Holy Spirit come into my heart, that he won’t be able to make it through my physical arms?
I just have to ask.
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TheRam
Guest
netmil(name removed by moderator):
I have done both, and recieved blessings in both…i was just replying to the fact that in some cases it is seen as wrong. My comment was simply a bewildered one, saying it is to us what we bring to it. Deep prayer is beautiful, even if you are huddled in a ball in bed crying.
NO NO NO, not at all! I believe that the response that works best for me, reflects how insecure of a child i am to him…and reaching makes the experience come alive for me.
I have done both, and recieved blessings in both…i was just replying to the fact that in some cases it is seen as wrong. My comment was simply a bewildered one, saying it is to us what we bring to it. Deep prayer is beautiful, even if you are huddled in a ball in bed crying.
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Michael_Welter
Guest
Thomas More said:
Do you have documentation to support this? It seems to go against Scripture (i.e., the Word of God). See Psalms 134:2.
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TheRam
Guest
Have you ever felt your hear break because you do not have your precious child to tuck in any more, to feed, to send off to school…because God felt it was time for him to go home? Well my son passed away 18 months ago, just before his 19th birthday.When you’re in church, you are literally in the presence of Christ. You need not reach upward toward The Father in Heaven. He’s right there in front of you.
I am not in anyway angry or mad at God, as i DO accept his plan, and i know he has my interests in hand. But this sorrow is so hard to handle alone…and just like your child runs/walks to you crying awaiting to be comforted by your loving arms. It is simply this feeling of wanting him to wrap his arms around me in my sorrow.
Nothing more, nothing less. My arms are at my side, it is only my palms that are turned upwards at my waistline. If God comes into my heart then, how is this wrong…my understanding of this is that it is wrong to Tarry in this fashion? And i wonder why…because it is beautiful to me!
I am not trying to be a rebel here, i simply want to understand further. I would not offend anyone, ask them to do as i do, or ever take their hand…i simply find comfort in it at times.
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TheRam
Guest
ROME, 18 NOV. 2003 (ZENIT).
**Answered by Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical Athenaeum. **
**While there are no directions as to the posture of the faithful, the rubrics clearly direct the priest and any concelebrants to pray the Our Father with hands extended — so they at least should not hold hands. **
I found this in the web link provided by Madia (second one). It is only one paragraph out of many…but was simply meant as a share to all.
**Answered by Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical Athenaeum. **
**While there are no directions as to the posture of the faithful, the rubrics clearly direct the priest and any concelebrants to pray the Our Father with hands extended — so they at least should not hold hands. **
I found this in the web link provided by Madia (second one). It is only one paragraph out of many…but was simply meant as a share to all.
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InSearchOfGod
Guest
Wow, I’ve never heard this discussion before! I never realized it would be an issue for some. I generally don’t like holding hands, but that’s merely because I’m not a touchy kind of person.
Why do others not like holding hands?
I know a prayer posture should show a sign of reverence to God, but do you think God really cares exactly how you’re holding your hands? (I mean, as long as you are showing reverence?)
Obviously you don’t want to disturb those around you who are trying to focus of course.
Why do others not like holding hands?
I know a prayer posture should show a sign of reverence to God, but do you think God really cares exactly how you’re holding your hands? (I mean, as long as you are showing reverence?)
Obviously you don’t want to disturb those around you who are trying to focus of course.
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Jon_Jay2
Guest
Most of the people in my parish raise their hands during The Our Father and I personally don’t care for it. It reminds me of the parish I grew up in when the Charismatics took over. I was an altar boy at the time and everyone would come up around the altar and grab my hand and get all kinds of emotional. Sometimes it scared me, I was probably 8 or 9 at the time and it all comes flooding back when those in my parish do this.
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carol_marie
Guest
Thomas More:
What is the orans posture??
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TheRam
Guest
The posture used by a priest.
I believe, from what i have read here, that the offense implies to upstage (copy) the priest with gestures of out stretching of the hands.
I am trying to understand, and am placing my answer here, not telling people that this is the answer.
I believe, from what i have read here, that the offense implies to upstage (copy) the priest with gestures of out stretching of the hands.
I am trying to understand, and am placing my answer here, not telling people that this is the answer.
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Michael_Welter
Guest
carol marie:
Hands extended outward with the palms facing forward. It is not an attempt to upstage the priest, it is done by many in obedience to God (Psalms 134:2).
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netmilsmom
Guest
Michael Welter:
Psalms 134
1Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD.2Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD. 3The LORD that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion.
I’m not quite sure how see this as a command by the Lord.
I see it as a command by the leader of the group.
Our leaders, the Vatican has specifically stated this for the Priest and co-celebrants. It has never been stated for the laity in the Holy Mass.
This?
Psalms 134
1Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD.2Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD. 3The LORD that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion.
I’m not quite sure how see this as a command by the Lord.
I see it as a command by the leader of the group.
Our leaders, the Vatican has specifically stated this for the Priest and co-celebrants. It has never been stated for the laity in the Holy Mass.
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Michael_Welter
Guest
netmil(name removed by moderator):
Well, since it states in verse 1 “all you servants of the Lord” I never saw that it applied just to leaders. And the Church has certainly not banned it, since it is commanded in Scripture.
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