Raising hand blessing

[Solomonson]

Is it appropriate to raise one’s hand when at the end of Mass. the priest gives a blessing to those taking communion to others?

I don’t do it. It seriously looks like a Nazi Party meeting in my parish. It’s truly unsettling.

I also don’t make a big deal about it. I simply close my eyes.

 

[Nelka]

Wow I’ve never seen anyone do this before.

 

[7_Sorrows]

Thank you Father for these posts. My question is: How does a parish STOP people from doing this? It seems to be SO ingrained in people already…I’ve even seen priests ask the people to raise their hands in blessing at times. As a person who works in Catechesis and Liturgy, I get looked at like I have three heads by people I speak to about this, OR they simply tell me I’m being harsh and there’s no harm in it.

To me, this is a bigger issue than the hand holding during the Our Father, which I have just about given up on. I don’t hold hands, and everyone knows why. I also have to close my eyes to avoid the rolled eyes of others. Not that I really care…but man…it’s a tough crowd.
Any advice?

I agree Clare. I don’t raise my hand or hands (I see people raise both) whenever a
priest asks us to bless anyone - like an anniversary, or they are going on a trip. I think
it would be more appropriate to ask us to bow our heads in prayer or simply witness
the priest bestow his blessing.
I also do not like hand holding. Have you ever got a dirty look from a priest or deacon for not holding hands? I have. I know I feel more focused on the prayer when my eyes are closed and my hands together or folded than I do holding hands with another person.

 

[7_Sorrows]

I don’t do it. It seriously looks like a Nazi Party meeting in my parish. It’s truly unsettling.

I also don’t make a big deal about it. I simply close my eyes.

It does look that way doesn’t it.

 

[buc_fan33]

I don’t do it. It seriously looks like a Nazi Party meeting in my parish. It’s truly unsettling.

I also don’t make a big deal about it. I simply close my eyes.

Wait. Did you seriously compare people raising their hands in prayer to the group responsible for one of the largest genocides in human history? With respect, to say that this comparison is inappropriate is quite the understatement.

 

[7_Sorrows]

Wait. Did you seriously compare people raising their hands in prayer to the group responsible for one of the largest genocides in human history? With respect, to say that this comparison is inappropriate is quite the understatement.

But when the whole congregation is doing it, that is how it resembles.

 

[buc_fan33]

But when the whole congregation is doing it, that is how it resembles.

With all due respect, no it doesn’t. I agree that it can be corny, and I certainly don’t encourage it. But, the laity DO exercise the baptismal priesthood. JMHO, but I really believe a true and good desire among Catholics to affirm the ministerial priesthood, in some sense has us swing the pendulum back the other direction. It’s what I see with respect to Charismatics. Charismatic Catholics are among the most faithful that I know, but for some reason, the spirituality has been “black balled” by people who are otherwise orthodox Catholics. That’s a different topic for a different day, I know, but I think it’s related. Certainly, the laity are not ordained and can’t bless in the same way that an ordained cleric can. However, they certainly can bless by virtue of their baptismal priesthood. Many bless their children all the time. The rite of baptism even calls for parents and godparents to make the sign of the cross on the forehead of their child.

Again, I don’t encourage this practice in my parish. But, is it a hill I’m willing to die on as a priest? Certainly not. I also would not make the comparison used in this thread. One is a group of people exercising (even if inappropriately) their baptismal priesthood. One was a group responsible for the murder of over 6 million people. Even if the gestures look the same, the comparison is not prudent.

 

[7_Sorrows]

With all due respect, no it doesn’t. I agree that it can be corny, and I certainly don’t encourage it. But, the laity DO exercise the baptismal priesthood. JMHO, but I really believe a true and good desire among Catholics to affirm the ministerial priesthood, in some sense has us swing the pendulum back the other direction. It’s what I see with respect to Charismatics. Charismatic Catholics are among the most faithful that I know, but for some reason, the spirituality has been “black balled” by people who are otherwise orthodox Catholics. That’s a different topic for a different day, I know, but I think it’s related. Certainly, the laity are not ordained and can’t bless in the same way that an ordained cleric can. However, they certainly can bless by virtue of their baptismal priesthood. Many bless their children all the time. The rite of baptism even calls for parents and godparents to make the sign of the cross on the forehead of their child.

Again, I don’t encourage this practice in my parish. But, is it a hill I’m willing to die on as a priest? Certainly not. I also would not make the comparison used in this thread. One is a group of people exercising (even if inappropriately) their baptismal priesthood. One was a group responsible for the murder of over 6 million people. Even if the gestures look the same, the comparison is not prudent.

The gestures do look the same and that is why the comparison was made. We are not comparing that Catholics share the same ideology as Nazis, just the same hand gestures which are not 100% equal, but similar.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

The gestures do look the same and that is why the comparison was made. We are not comparing that Catholics share the same ideology as Nazis, just the same hand gestures which are not 100% equal, but similar.

As a European priest of the generation I am, I find that statement horrifying. It is nothing short of hideous.

No. There is not a similarity, at all, between an epicletic gesture, which I have used many times in the decades of my priesthood, and a Nazi salute. Dear Lord, have mercy.

 

[pnewton]

No. There is not a similarity, at all, between an epicletic gesture, which I have used many times in the decades of my priesthood, and a Nazi salute. Dear Lord, have mercy.

There is the similarity of the look, at least to us ignorant Americans. I know it sounds horrific, but I have noticed this similarity as well. I know it is just a superficial similarity, but it is a similarity that came to my mind.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

There is the similarity of the look, at least to us ignorant Americans. I know it sounds horrific, but I have noticed this similarity as well. I know it is just a superficial similarity, but it is a similarity that came to my mind.

As I said, I have had occasion to do epicletic gestures involving my right hand for many decades, including most recently priestly ordinations with my brother priests.

I also remember all too vividly the salute, thank you very much.

No…they do not look similar.

 

[babochka]

As a European priest of the generation I am, I find that statement horrifying. It is nothing short of hideous.

No. There is not a similarity, at all, between an epicletic gesture, which I have used many times in the decades of my priesthood, and a Nazi salute. Dear Lord, have mercy.

I am likewise horrified. It is offensive to even make the comparison, even if a person mistakenly sees them as similar gestures.

 

[7_Sorrows]

I am likewise horrified. It is offensive to even make the comparison, even if a person mistakenly sees them as similar gestures.

I have heard the comparison over and over numerous times.

A priest bestowing a blessing is one thing, but when you are in a congregation of
200-300 people it just doesn’t look right.

 

[pianistclare]

Well, we all defer to the priests in real life. Or at least I would hope we would. I do. I don’t “get” the blessing thing, but if my boss wants it, we do it. I had hoped we could discuss it.
I just asked a question. Sheesh. No need to bring the Nazi regime into the the equation.

I would think we could all just drop it right now. :blush

 

[pnewton]

I am likewise horrified. It is offensive to even make the comparison, even if a person mistakenly sees them as similar gestures.

I am sorry if posting what I did offended. I am sure the initial poster thought it acceptable to post what they thought. I can’t apologize for what I thought though. That just is.

 

[Solomonson]

It does look that way doesn’t it.

We pray over the extraordinary ministers of holy communion who take communion to the homebound. I noted today to myself – if someone had taken a photo and passed it around the web with a false caption, it could do a lot of damage to my parish.

It looks horrible. The “sign value” is simply nasty. We seem to worry a great deal about the “sign value” of things in the Church – until WE DO NOT, as in this case.

Don’t worry about those that are upset by the comparison – they’re going to complain no matter what – they’re looking for a reason to complain, and in the end, they weren’t in my parish this morning watching something that looked absolutely hideous as it does each week.

 

[Solomonson]

I have heard the comparison over and over numerous times.

A priest bestowing a blessing is one thing, but when you are in a congregation of
200-300 people it just doesn’t look right.

I agree. Upon very close inspection the only difference is the small handful of people that use both hands – and those of us of course who don’t raise our hands at all.

 

[PRmerger]

There is the similarity of the look, at least to us ignorant Americans. I know it sounds horrific, but I have noticed this similarity as well. I know it is just a superficial similarity, but it is a similarity that came to my mind.

Yes. Me, too.