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amsjj
Guest
This is perhaps a silly question, but I wondered the other day: if a priest is left-handed, would he have to adjust to saying the Mass right-handed?
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YoungTradCath
Guest
How does handedness play into the celebration of mass at all?
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AndyP2010
Guest
If the rubrics require the Priest to due tasks with a specific hand, say for example when he elevates the host, then a left handed Priest will always have to fight against his natural inclination to pick things up with his left hand. You tend to get a little clumsy using your off hand.
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YoungTradCath
Guest
Are there any rubrics that specify to do certain things with certain hands?
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Catholic90
Guest
One of our priests always elevates the host with his left hand. The other always does it with his right hand. 
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Aelred_Minor
Guest
I was taught that if you receive on your hands they should be positioned so that the host is placed on your right hand. Also a friend who was an alter server said he was instructed that when holding his hands together he should cross his thumbs with the right thumb on top of the left. Even if there’s nothing official written down about these things it wouldn’t surprise me if there are similar traditions for certain things the priest does. I assume it’s largely the symbolism of the “sinister” left hand.
I would figure let the priest do things the traditional way unless he’s so clumsy with his right hand he can’t do it without risk of dropping the Eucharist or something like that. Just my own first reaction.
I would figure let the priest do things the traditional way unless he’s so clumsy with his right hand he can’t do it without risk of dropping the Eucharist or something like that. Just my own first reaction.
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PatrickSebast
Guest
I’m pretty sure most priest around here elevate the host with both hands…I don’t really pay close attention to it but that is what I remember.
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Elizium23
Guest
Actually, when I received my First Communion, I was taught to hold my right hand under my left, so the host would be placed in my left, and then I could use my right (dominant) hand to pick up and consume the host. I assume that left-handers can reverse this.
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Deo_Gratias42
Guest
I’m not sure of the specifics of the NO, but I have seen left-handed priests celebrate it left-handedly, as well as right-handedly.
As for the TLM, the rubrics are so specific and complex I would say so. Besides, the maniple would get in the way.
As for the TLM, the rubrics are so specific and complex I would say so. Besides, the maniple would get in the way.
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charlie4christ
Guest
Hey there,
Brothers and sisters did Jesus not tell us that “What goes into a man’s mouth does not make him ‘unclean,’ but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him 'unclean”??
So what does it matter how we receive the eucharist, as long as you receive it. Its about what comes out of the heart through your tongue that matters and how your are judged; Not what goes in and out through the body!! Peace be with you and God Bless!!
Jesus forever.
Brothers and sisters did Jesus not tell us that “What goes into a man’s mouth does not make him ‘unclean,’ but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him 'unclean”??
So what does it matter how we receive the eucharist, as long as you receive it. Its about what comes out of the heart through your tongue that matters and how your are judged; Not what goes in and out through the body!! Peace be with you and God Bless!!
Jesus forever.
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YoungTradCath
Guest
The method of reception isn’t really what’s being questioned here.
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archangel04
Guest
The left hand is of the devil! lol 
Just a joke folks
Just a joke folks
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thistle
Guest
Whether a priest is left or right handed is totally irrelevant to the Mass.
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MartyrForJesus
Guest
Aren’t they supposed to elevate with both hands?One of our priests always elevates the host with his left hand. The other always does it with his right hand.
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JReducation
Guest
If the priest is left handed, he can use his left hand as one would use the right hand. The maniple can be left off. It is not required, even in the EF. Handedness is treated like any other human condition.
I know a priest who has CP. He celebrates the EF on an altar that is on the same level as the pews, because he does not climb steps. He does none of the genuflections or kneeling in the EF and he sits on what looks like a bar stool. He does not wear the maniple, because it gets in his way. He elevates with one hand, because of the CP. He celebrates the OF with the same accommodations.
The Church is a mother, not a task master.
Fraternally,
Br. JR, OSF :christmastree1:
I know a priest who has CP. He celebrates the EF on an altar that is on the same level as the pews, because he does not climb steps. He does none of the genuflections or kneeling in the EF and he sits on what looks like a bar stool. He does not wear the maniple, because it gets in his way. He elevates with one hand, because of the CP. He celebrates the OF with the same accommodations.
The Church is a mother, not a task master.
Fraternally,
Br. JR, OSF :christmastree1:
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JM3
Guest
There was a time when the left hand was used to clean your backside. Thus, it was an insult to offer your left hand to someone or to use it for eating, ect. There may still be cultures that believe this.
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MartyrForJesus
Guest
Sorry Br, but what is CP?
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JReducation
Guest
Sorry, CP is Cerebral Palsy, which is very crippling. My friend was born this way. He can barely walk and has some problems with one of his hands. It’s due to brain damage. There is nothing wrong with your extremities. The brain does not send the signals to the proper parts of the body that allow you to stand, walk, kneel, etc.
Fraternally,
Br. JR, OSF :christmastree1:
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MartyrForJesus
Guest
Oh the poor man. Let’s pray for him.
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NeedImprovement
Guest
(two thumbs up Br. JR, OSF, so people couldn’t tell which hand I was using - , but if we take a closer look at the thumbsup smiley , it would appear that *right handed * smileys have no home here at CAF.)I assisted a priest for 10 years in his celebrations of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Father was half paralyzed from a stroke and suffering from advanced Parkinson’s disease. He only had (very restricted) use of his right hand.
Illnesses sometimes put things into perspective :
One patient I bring Holy Communion to is entirely paralyzed on her right side . She makes the sign of the Cross with her left hand (and sometimes I get a lump in my throat just being there when she does - such a holy faith) and I couldn’t tell you which shoulder she touches first - don’t even want to go there.
Another pious patient, who is also entirely paralyzed on the right side, but who frequently has a joyful demeanor , was a little dismayed the first time I asked her if she would like to make the sign of the Cross with me in preparation for reception of Holy Communion . She glanced down at her paralyzed right arm several times and then looked at me sadly (she can barely speak) indicating that she couldn’t make the sign of the cross because her right hand was paralyzed . So I told her, “You could always use your ‘other’ right hand”, which drew a broad smile and a subsequent sign of the Cross with the left hand.
Some days , when she is really having a lot of complications with that one limited arm, her sign of the Cross can look more like a triangle than the outline of a Cross , but all I can think about at that moment , is how beautiful it must look to God.
BTW guys ,in the New Roman Missal we have just begun to use , the rubric hasn’t really changed from what it was in the in the 1974 Sacramentary regarding the elevation of the sacred species directly upon completion of pronounciation of the words of consecration . The priest elevates the consecrated Host, to show it to the faithful:
" He shows the consecrated host to the people , places it again on the paten , and genuflects in adoration. "
… similarly with the chalice of the Precious Blood :
" He shows the chalice to the people , places it on the corporal , and genuflects in adoration. "
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