Laity raising right arm in blessing

[stjosephtomasi]

1. Customarily in the Church a bishop or priest addresses prayers to God while standing with hands slightly raised and outstretched (Ceremonial of Bishops, number 104).
2. Deacons and non-ordained members of the faithful may not use gestures or actions which are proper to the priest celebrant. It is a grave abuse for any member of the non-ordained faithful to “quasi preside” at the Mass (Instruction on Collaboration, Practical Provisions 6 §2).
3. With a view to uniformity in gestures and postures during Mass, the faithful should follow the directions indicated in the Missal (General Instruction on the Roman Missal #43).
4. Even a bishop does not have the authority to change the postures of the people. The gestures and posture of the faithful require a decision by the Conference of Bishops and the approval of the Apostolic See (General Instruction on the Roman Missal #390).

 

[Maureen_Fiore]

Ya know I got caught up in raising my right arm in blessing. We were told by the priest to pray by extending our right hand out over the 1st year candidates of Confirmation. I did not feel right about doing this but I guess when in Rome… I certainly do not extend my hands out during the Our Father. I feel this is a very uncomfortable feeling especially if you are by yourself. I had to politely tell the person next to me that I don’t do that. Very Uncomfortable, but I don’t like it.

 

[johnnykins]

Maureen Fiore:

Ya know I got caught up in raising my right arm in blessing. We were told by the priest to pray by extending our right hand out over the 1st year candidates of Confirmation. I did not feel right about doing this but I guess when in Rome… I certainly do not extend my hands out during the Our Father. I feel this is a very uncomfortable feeling especially if you are by yourself. I had to politely tell the person next to me that I don’t do that. Very Uncomfortable, but I don’t like it.

You did nothing wrong. The priest did. That’s how we got all these things - they didn;t arise out a spontaneous desire of the laity to do these things - intimations to the contrary notwithstanding.