Priest and Altar Servers Holding Hands during Our Father?

[missmorgan389]

I always thought we held hands to become more united in Christ. Like a “We’re all in this together” feeling. I guess I misinterpreted it, then…

I’ve always held hands with my neighbors but didn’t think I was doing anything wrong.

 

[WingsOfEagles]

I always thought we held hands to become more united in Christ. Like a “We’re all in this together” feeling. I guess I misinterpreted it, then…

I’ve always held hands with my neighbors but didn’t think I was doing anything wrong.

It’s not wrong for laity…exactly. It is widely practiced among American Catholics, but very debated if it ever should have become the norm. The reasoning being that it is a distraction to the prayer and what is going on at the front. However, the Priest is instructed to have his hands uplifted in the Orans position. He should not be having the altar servers come forward to hold hands with him.

 

[missmorgan389]

It’s not wrong for laity…exactly. It is widely practiced among American Catholics, but very debated if it ever should have become the norm. The reasoning being that it is a distraction to the prayer and what is going on at the front. However, the Priest is instructed to have his hands uplifted in the Orans position. He should not be having the altar servers come forward to hold hands with him.

Oh, okay. That makes more sense. Thank you!

 

[LoyalViews]

I have never in my life seen anybody hold hands with anyone else during the Our Father.

I have seen people from the Phillipines hold their hands up during the Our Father.

Nor have I, and never did until I found YouTube.
It just doesn’t happen around here.

 

[LoyalViews]

Oh really?
Well I suppose next Sunday I will just let my toddler and preschooler run wild during the Our Father, and ignore my 7yo daughter who wants to hold hands during much of the mass.
Just kidding around. The severity of your first sentence just really made me laugh because obviously there are circumstances where hand-holding is actually necessary.

I should’ve put a smiley or something

I overreacted

 

[terrig]

This thread made me laugh to myself. My hometown parish’s priest holds hands with the altar servers and deacon every time I’ve attended Mass while visiting there. It kind of bugs me because I didn’t think he should be doing that. I didn’t realize other priests did that too.