Raising hands during consecration

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ptbenn

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My family and I attended Mass in a different parish over Memorial Weekend. During the consecrating prayer when the priest held his hands over the bread and wine the congregation all raised THEIR hands towards the altar. Anybody know what this was all about? My husband and I did not raise our hands and he said later when he saw our 9 year old start to follow along he shook his head, “no”, to her. It didn’t seem right to us. Are we missing something?
 
You were absolutely correct to do what you did.

Were the faithful kneeling and holding their hands out? That sounds like an awkward posture to assume!

As discussed ad nauseam in other threads, there really is no instructed position for the hands/arms during the Mass, only general bodily postures such as kneeling. Some exceptions would include making the sign of the cross and breast beating. During the sections devoted to the Eucharistic Prayer, there is no mention of hands/arms as far as I am aware.

It certainly seems that the faithful at this parish were trying to assist with the act of Consecration by extending their hands along with the priest’s. The fact is they cannot influence the efficacy of the Consecration so this gesture is pointless and silly. Furthermore, they have obviously introduced this novelty under somebody’s personal volition. Even if the “somebody” is the priest himself, it cannot be done.
 
They were not kneeling, they were standing. My first thought was, “what are you people doing?!!” :eek: It seemed very irreverent to us. Made me wonder if they thought they were “assisting” in the Consecration.
 
You chose wisely to not follow allow. Actions like that during the Liturgy of the Eucharist, are not to be imitated by anyone other than bishops and priest. You might consider notifying the bishop of that diocese about what is going on in that parish.

matt
 
To me it sounds like a confusion of roles of the priesthood and the laity. As if the laity are consecrating the bread and wine along with the priest and the priest is just the “presider.”
 
Anima Christi:
To me it sounds like a confusion of roles of the priesthood and the laity. As if the laity are consecrating the bread and wine along with the priest and the priest is just the “presider.”
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I actually see no difference in this and the laity using the Orans position at the Our Father.
Spot on!
 
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ptbenn:
They were not kneeling, they were standing. My first thought was, “what are you people doing?!!” :eek: It seemed very irreverent to us. Made me wonder if they thought they were “assisting” in the Consecration.
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standing during consecration is allowed if kneeler is not present or if the floor is dirty like if the mass i held outside.

Raising of hand during consecration is reserved for priests and bishops only. It is written in a church document i just don’t remember if what document is that. I think it is in sacramentum … i dont remember the book
 
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ptbenn:
They were not kneeling, they were standing. My first thought was, “what are you people doing?!!” :eek: It seemed very irreverent to us. Made me wonder if they thought they were “assisting” in the Consecration.
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A person who is not Ordained to the priesthood and intentionally attempts to perform the function of the priest and Consecrate during a Eucharistic Liturgy is automatically excommunicated. They should seriously consider what they are doing.
 
All:

If you have an opinion on the subject (I would think that you do since you opened the thread), you will find the recent article in Catholic Exchange (6/11/05) interesting. It’s by a canon lawyer who teaches classes on the liturgy and sacraments. He has a pretty valuable website as well that’s linked to by the article. Enjoy!

catholicexchange.com/vm/index.asp?vm_id=2&art_id=28525

jb
 
viktor aleksndr:
standing during consecration is allowed if kneeler is not present or if the floor is dirty like if the mass i held outside.

Raising of hand during consecration is reserved for priests and bishops only. It is written in a church document i just don’t remember if what document is that. I think it is in sacramentum … i dont remember the book
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I and many others kneel even if the kneelers are removed by some nut pastor. The floor works.
 
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misericordie:
I and many others kneel even if the kneelers are removed by some nut pastor. The floor works.
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😃 nut pastors? ok!

Good for you and others that you kneel even if kneelers are not available. But if the Mass was held outside and we can expect some dirts and even mud outside, so standing is allowed BUT when the priest genuflect all the people must make a PROFOUND BOW.

But raising hands during consecration? that is for ordained priests only. Even Deacons are not allowed to raise hands during consecration because they are not allowed to consecrate.
 
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