Posture at Mass

[pnewton]

You’re talking to a someone who’s mute when her hands are tied behind her back , but this ‘back at ya’ gesture is something that people were taught to do, not something that spontaneously occurred because someone was speaking with their hands.

That is an interesting question. Was this taught, or did it just kind of catch on as a result of our nature to respond in kind to people who talking with us. When I started attending Mass, I fell into a kind of half-orans, gesturing with my right hand what the priest was doing. It was an action I did without thinking. I know that in our parish, and in RCIA, this was never discussed, so at least for us it is not something we were instructed to do.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

At my parish

1. Nearly everybody extends their arms (half-orans?) every time they say “And with your spirit.”
2. Nearly everybody does half-orans and orans during the “Lift up your hearts” prayer.
3. About half of the laity holds hands during the Our Father prayer.
4. All of my extended family does these things.

Would it be better for me to just go along with things even though it is not the proper liturgical posture, or would it be better to just follow the crowd until our pastor directs us to do things differently?

While the people are not the priest, we do also need to remember that there aren’t proper “liturgical postures” dictated for the laity other than when to kneel, sit, and stand.

Depending on your age, I would be more concerned about discussions with your family on what is or isn’t right to do. The pastor very likely won’t say anything.

My suggestion would be to hold hands with your family when they offer you their hands, but to do whatever is more comfortable during the other times. I doubt anyone will complain if your don’t gesture when saying “and with your spirit”, but if you refuse to hold hands with your sister or uncle (for example), you’ll probably get an earful!

 

[Threep]

Being Maronite Catholic, it’s sometimes weird going to Latin rite mass and noticing all the little differences. For instance, during the Our Father (and one other prayer, the name of which escapes me right now), everyone does the orans. Thankfully though, no one holds hands.

Honestly though, do what is comfortable and respectful to the Father I’d say.

 

[QNDNNDQDCE]

You’re talking to a someone who’s mute when her hands are tied behind her back , but this ‘back at ya’ gesture is something that people were taught to do, not something that spontaneously occurred because someone was speaking with their hands.

Maybe that “cartoon” Family Guy is partly to blame.

youtube.com/watch?v=63wJItfmu_0

 

[Don_Jackson]

What would a mass look like if everyone did what they wanted to do just because it wasn’t improper?

John

Jesus was never big on how thing look

 

[CleverUserName]

Some of us believe that looking with our amateur eyes on liturgical documents has made us better than the holy priests and bishops who are ordained to lead us. We would do well to practice humility and respect for others.

::clapping::clapping::clapping: