Our Father posture

[ratio1]

Do your parishioners at church hold their hands palm up like the priest during the Our Father?

 

[twf]

It’s not in the rubrics. Some people do it. Some people think they’re supposed to do it. …but it’s not something the Church has ever asked of the faithful.

 

[Kei]

Some think it shouldn’t be allowed.

 

[phil19034]

I don’t and I would guess that most in my parish don’t… but many families do hold hands among themselves

 

[ThereseFrancis]

This has grown to be the custom in many dioceses (some extending this posture until the continuation of the prayer “For the Kingdom…”). They do this for according to the rubrics, nothing prohibits the faithful for doing such a pose. However, it is in the nature of the liturgical rules that if it is not written it is assumed to not be done. It is in the nature of liturgical rules that if such a pose can be done by the faithful, it should have been written in the rubrics or the general instruction. Hence, this pose by the faithful is illicit.

With that being said, the custom is so widespread that a deft pastoral approach is necessary to correct this. Proper catechism, explanation, and manner of teaching is necessary. In my opinion, it all starts with the bishop. If only the bishop would send a letter to his priests, it would be easier than for this correction to be started parish by parish depending on their pastor.

 

[po18guy]

I do not look at them during mass. If my eyes are even open, I look at the Tabernacle, Father as he preaches, the Host as he exclaims “Behold the Lamb of God!”, or the crucifix. To look anywhere else is to yield to distraction.

For the record, I hold my hands in the classic praying hands manner, as exemplified by the pen and ink drawing of Albrecht Dürer.
(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

 

[Phemie]

Some have their hands in the orans position but they are in the minority. We don’t hold hands.

That said, today the priest who is filling in for our administrator called all the kids to join him at the altar for the “Our Father”, and as he reached out his hands he asked them all to hold hands because the grace we receive from prayer is passed on to another person if we are holding hands with them, or words to that effect. Let’s hope this isn’t something that will catch on.

 

[FrDavid96]

Do your parishioners at church hold their hands palm up like the priest during the Our Father?

The orans position is a position that is strictly reserved to the celebrant (and con celebrants) alone. Not even the deacon uses this position.

Contrary to what some people claim, the Church does indeed say that the laity are not to assume the gestures which are reserved to the priest.

 

[ratio1]

Contrary to what some people claim, the Church does indeed say that the laity are not to assume the gestures which are reserved to the priest.

Thanks! Just wondering whether you have reference for this?

 

[FrDavid96]

FrDavid96:

Contrary to what some people claim, the Church does indeed say that the laity are not to assume the gestures which are reserved to the priest.

Thanks! Just wondering whether you have reference for this?

Neither may deacons or non-ordained members of the faithful use gestures or actions which are proper to the same priest celebrant.

Article 6.2 from here http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/c...ocuments/rc_con_interdic_doc_15081997_en.html

This is an “instruction” which carries the full force of law.

 

[brian_custer]

i appreciate that article

i’ve heard priest after priest say that the congregation should NOT be extending Palms or even holding hands during the “Our Father” ; doing handstands is just as appropriate

it just not something most pastors want to argue about

somehow this dumb custom has caught on

 

[KS_Housewife]

I am a traditional praying hands folder type, so no cheer block and no handholding for me and mine. I recognize that this probably crept into the church as a fashionable practice during the decades I had left the church, and I will not judge those who became acculturated to it during that time. I must say that one visit to an area church Latin Mass helped me to better appreciate the priest’s role as mediator and representative on behalf of the assembled congregation during the mass. The posture of the priest in front of the congregation while facing the altar and tabernacle, and his upraised hands in prayer, illustrated for me the church’s jewish roots, where the priest intercedes for the people. I appreciated the perspective I obtained, and it’s one that people might lack if they only experience Mass in a church in the round with the priest facing the congregation, which of course has its own merits, but which may encourage congregants to join in and imitate the priest’s gestures.

 

[Kts1816]

I dont,but most parishnets do it

 

[Hereiam]

I don’t, but I’m sure God hears the prayer, either way, and does not dispatch prayer angel police officers to issue citations for violation of whatever the full force law might be.

 

[giuseppe96]

Unfortunately most people at my parish do. But recently, before Mass begins, they are actually warned not to hold hands during the Our Father or to shake hands at the Sign of Peace due to the severe flu epidemic. Hopefully this might help them form a habit to not do so? (Probably not). I myself keep my hands folded during the Our Father, and bow slightly for the Sign of Peace.

 

[jgaw1234]

It seems to me that it entered the Church when there was a large conversion of Episcopalians coming in over homosexuality in the Anglican church. Don’t get me wrong, I’m absolutely happy for their company int the liturgy but some things got transferred that shouldn’t have.

Their understanding of communion was in a community and fellowship while the Catholic understanding of the Eucharist in unity is that there is one sacrifice from East to West and we all partake of that one bread with one Creed.

 

[ratio1]

I was merely noticing that more and more people are doing it and I was wondering what other people are experiencing and also whether it is encouraged discouraged or neutral. That’s all.

 

[pnewton]

Most, but not all, do at my parish. In all my time there, not one word has ever been said about it one way or another. It is a non-issue.

 

[Hereiam]

Don’t shout at me, I’m trying to understand. Why does it matter so much? Why does posture during the Our Father matter?

To God, it probably doesn’t matter, but to liturgical purists, its one of many arguments that is never fruitful. Its in the legalist DNA, it seems.

 

[angel12]

Do your parishioners at church hold their hands palm up like the priest during the Our Father?

Some do. And some hold hands with each other. And some do neither. Fortunately, nobody makes a big deal out of it.