Holding Hands/Orans at Our Father

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ToledoRosary

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Rome has spoken on the matter…it is simply NOT allowed. It is a protestant innovation. If this goes on in prayer groups, etc…that’s one thing. The Mass IS NOT A PRAYER GROUP and we do not possess the right to determine what happens at Mass. Moreover, the fullest sign of communion is NOT gestures but the reception of the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ. Additionally, it is the disciples of Jesus who ask Him, “Lord, teach us how to pray” and nowhere in the Scriptures does Jesus say, “raise or hold your hands”!
 
Sources? From what I understand, Rome has not spoken on the matter.
 
Greetings

Yes, sources, please. Or is this more of the same arguments we have been reading all along?
 
Depends on how you look at it. The GIRM does not mention “holding hands” in any of the approved postures - it is conspicuous by its absence. Therefore, it is reasonable to say that Rome has spoken against it by declining to include it in the GIRM.

It is also true that local bishops are given some leeway as to what is permissable in their dioceses, and the GIRM seems to be silent on this issue. Archbishop Chaput has said, for instance:

"A lot has been said in popular writing about our gestures at this point of the Mass. Do we fold our hands, or hold them outstretched, or hold hands with those around us? Some people have surprisingly strong feelings about this issue. Our answer to this question needs to come from the Church’s understanding of this moment in the Mass.

"The priest stands with his arms outstretched as the prayer begins. The assembly should also stand. There are no options for gestures listed in the General Instruction for this part of the Mass. For many persons, folding their hands during the ‘Our Father’ is the best way to express their prayer. For others, they may hold their hands outstretched. Still others hold hands.

“None of these gestures is mandated or forbidden by the Church. So our guiding principles should be respect for the dignity of the Mass, and respect for the freedom of our fellow worshipers.”

“Some people feel that holding hands during the “Our Father” enhances a sense of community. This is perfectly appropriate - so long as it can be done with dignity and without the unseemly acrobatics that sometimes ensue.”

Me? I don’t like it, I don’t do it. But the only time it’s a distraction for me is when kids put their hands over their heads or yank one another about, or when the person beside me insists upon trying to hold my hand when I have my hands already reverently folded in front of me. That’s rude and unseemly.
 
Somebody in another thread several weeks ago mentioned that Cardinal Arinze had said in a TV interview that those two practices were no-nos, but as I pointed out at the time, a TV interview is not exactly an authoritative statement from the Magisterium.

For the record, I don’t hold hands or raise mine, but absent an authoritative statement from the Holy See, I will not criticize those who do, nor will I give serious attention to other critics.

DaveBj
 
The GIRM says nothing about break dancing at the Our father, so that is what I’m going to do on Sunday. Better make room!
 
Conservative side: EWTN expert responds:

ewtn.com/expert/answers/holding_hands_at_mass.htm

Liberal response: Holding hands is another matter. This is not a rubric approved by either the local bishop, or the Conference of bishops, or Rome. It entered the Catholic Church through the Charismatic Renewal and has no tradition among us. Some dislike it very much and will not participate at Mass at certain parishes because of it. Personally, I find it childish and uncharitable - in that it makes so many people, especially elderly, feel uncomfortable. I have no idea how my successor would deal with it, but my prognosis is that this innovation will not last long.

Archbishop Weakland’s letter to priests
January 7, 2000
 
From ewtn.com/expert/expertfa…/conference.htm

Concerning holding hands in the Eucharistic Liturgy the Congregation for Divine Worship in Rome responded as follows: QUERY: In some places there is a current practice whereby those taking part in the Mass replace the giving of the sign of peace at the deacon’s invitation by holding hands during the singing of the Lord’s Prayer. Is this acceptable?

REPLY: The prolonged holding of hands is of itself a sign of communion rather than of peace. Further, it is a liturgical gesture introduced spontaneously but on personal initiative; it is not in the rubrics. Nor is there any clear explanation of why the sign of peace at the invitation: “Let us offer each other the sign of peace” should be supplanted in order to bring a different gesture with less meaning into another part of the Mass: the sign of peace is filled with meaning, graciousness, and Christian inspiration. Any substitution for it must be repudiated: Notitiae 11 (1975) 226. Notitiae is the journal of the Congregation in which its official interpretations of the rubrics are published.]

While this addresses the holding of hands at the Sign of Peace the reasons given apply also elsewhere in the Mass, including at the Our Father.
  1. It is an inappropriate “sign,” since Communion is the sign of intimacy. Thus, a gesture of intimacy is introduced both before the sign of reconciliation (the Sign of Peace), but more importantly, before Holy Communion, the sacramental sign of communion/intimacy within the People of God.
  2. It is introduced on personal initiative. The Holy See has authority over the liturgy according to Vatican II’s “Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy” #22 and canon 838 of the Code of Canon Law.
This gesture has come into widespread use, often leaving bishops and pastors at a loss as to how to reverse the situation. For individuals, I would recommend closed eyes and a prayerful posture as sufficient response, rather than belligerence. Most laity, and probably many priests, are blind to the liturgical significance of interrupting the flow of the Mass in this way. It is not necessary to lose one’s peace over this or be an irritation to others. Some proportion is required. If asked why you don’t participate, simply, plainly and charitably tell the questioner of your discovery. If some chance of changing the practice is possible talk to the pastor or work with other laity through the parish council. You can also write the bishop, as is your right in the case of any liturgical abuse not resolved at the parish level. If your judgment is that no change is possible then I believe you are excused from further fraternal correction.

Answered by Colin B. Donovan, STL
 
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ToledoRosary:
…and nowhere in the Scriptures does Jesus say, “raise or hold your hands”!
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I don’t recall that He says to fold your hands either.
 
The Barrister:
Depends on how you look at it. The GIRM does not mention “holding hands” in any of the approved postures - it is conspicuous by its absence. Therefore, it is reasonable to say that Rome has spoken against it by declining to include it in the GIRM.
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And it is just as reasonable to say, given the objections from the last 29 years at least (given the Notitiae quoted), that both Rome and the bishops are more than amply acquainted with the objections to holding hands, and had the obvious opportunity to address it in the GIRM, and did not do so, thereby implicitly giving permission to do so.

Sorry, Barrister, but your arguement to the jury is unpersuasive. :whistle:
 
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