** As I see it, the components of the poll are really not an “all or nothing” thing. In that respect, I agree with acadian in post #4 and OutinChgoburbs in post #11 in this thread, and will take the same approach as they, and several others, have.
Allow me to preface by saying that I do not voluntarily attend Roman Rite OF services, and part** of the reason is contained in some the the questions posed in the OP.
Generally speaking what do you think of the following things within the context of the Pauline Mass within the USA?
use of the orans posture by the laity? ** This practice has spilled over to some of the Eastern Rite Churches in the US too. But no matter where I encounter it, I never have, do not, and never will like it, do it, or encourage it.**
holding hands at the Lord’s Prayer? ** Ditto. I have only encountered this practice in the Roman Rite OF, and my opinion (and it’s only an opinion) is that it’s a relic of the “touchy-feely” extreme of the post-conciliar pendulum swing away from anything that is even remotely traditional, and as such I look at it as borderline abusive.**
processing up for a blessing when unable to receive communion? Personally, I see no problem with this practice, provided it’s done reverently. It’s done to some extent in various Eastern Rites, particularly with young children accompanied by a parent.
processional cross without corpus when used in conjunction with an altar crucifix?? **There is some precedent for this practice, and I have no problem at all with it.
**
female servers? ** This is a practice that I am not fond of for a variety of reasons. Ditto for “extraordinary ministers.” Both of these practices seem to me to be “politically correct” post-conciliar innovations. Fortunately for me, they’re pretty much restricted to the Roman Rite OF so I don’t really have to deal with them.**
female cantors? ** Here we have something similar to the above, but this one has spilled-over to the ECCs as well, at least to a degree. Considering the nature of the duties involved, though, I see no problem in case of necessity. Ditto for lectors.**
the non-use of sanctus bells?** The liturgical use of bells is grounded in tradition, both Western and Eastern. It’s a nice way to call attention to the liturgical action at hand. **
location of the tabernacle outside the sanctuary? ** There is traditional and historical precedent for this practice in both East and West. In Cathedral Churches in the West, e.g., there was/is often a designated “Altar of Reservation” outside the sanctuary, in part to help maintain the dignity of the Blessed Sacrament. In normal parish settings, I tend to prefer the tabernacle in a central position within the sanctuary.**
liturgical music featuring guitars and a bass? ** It depends. Instruments used for liturgical purposes vary by place and culture, so to me it’s not necessarily the instrument itself that I may find unpleasant. It’s the music. I have, for example, never been a fan of folk, rock, jazz, pop, etc music in Church, as practiced in the post-conciliar Roman Rite OF (and, regrettably, in some Eastern Rite DLs too) in North America, etc., and do my best to avoid same. **
communion in hand? ** All I can say is that I agree with PP Benedict XVI on this one.**
EPs other than the Roman Canon? ** While multiple anaphorae exist and are used in the East (particularly in the Syriac Churches), the practice seems to be to be a bit out-of-place in the Roman Rite. That said, though, the OF has 3 approved alternates and whether I like them or not doesn’t much matter. **
