May be silly/dumb questions but

[bunnykisses88]

Hello

I have a non-Catholic Christian, MIL and since she only speaks Spanish, I’m not sure if she’s praying for me , with me or over me. I’m not sure if there is a problem with praying over me. I just feel a little uncomfortable when she does pray like this. She kneels on the floor, with her hands on my head and put oil on my palm. I guess since I don’t understand what she’s doing or saying I do get uncomfortable. What is this, is it okay and what should I do? I just did a sign of the cross afterwards.

 

[anruari]

Many non-Catholic Christian traditions, and also some within Catholicism, (like the Charismatic community), encourage praying with, for and over people in your family and community in this way.
There is nothing unusual or unorthodox about it. It’s just not part of the folk piety of traditional European Catholicism.

As we have an ordained priesthood, our traditions tend more towards asking our priests to pray over us and bless us when we are ill, worried or suffering in any way. Today we have fewer priests available, and while they are specially ordained and appointed to administer the Sacrament of the Sick, there is nothing at all wrong with a Deacon or any lay-person praying for any person and invoking the power of the Holy Spirit to come to them.
It is good to pray with, for and over each-other in your family.

As another poster said, it should help to get your husband to translate, or summarise your Mother-in-Laws prayers for you a few times to put your mind at ease.

 

[bunnykisses88]

thanks you guys. I never turn down a prayer because it is lovely to do. I just never had anyone do that with me/ for me before her so it is just strange to me I guess. I will and I do sometimes ask him to translate but he tends to tune out anything she says…especially when she starts praying like that : / He wasn’t there yesterday since we were at my mom’s house and he was working sooo I will ask my mom more when I see her today : ) Yeah, haha, it did feel a little odd being so intimate and not understanding what she was saying.

I mainly asked this question too because I saw somewhere on the other thread that people got offended if someone where to offer to pray “over” them. So I honestly didn’t know what the deal was with that.

 

[latingirl]

Hello

I have a non-Catholic Christian, MIL and since she only speaks Spanish, I’m not sure if she’s praying for me , with me or over me. I’m not sure if there is a problem with praying over me. I just feel a little uncomfortable when she does pray like this. She kneels on the floor, with her hands on my head and put oil on my palm. I guess since I don’t understand what she’s doing or saying I do get uncomfortable. What is this, is it okay and what should I do? I just did a sign of the cross afterwards.

Can you perchance sound out what she is saying in these prayers? Maybe someone who knows a bit of Spanish can help you. However I wouldn’t assume this is something malicious on her part. I wish you luck.