Raising hands in mass

[netmilsmom]

katherine2:

They aren’t. Nor are our lay people has they pray in the posture the Blessed Mother prayed in.

“Originally Posted by katherine2
So why does the priest look up?”

You said your priest looks up. Not me.
I’ll state it again, I am not a priest not the Blessed Mother. Actually, neither are you.

The orans posture for the priest at the time of the “Our Father” is for him to welcome his flock to the words of God.
If you believe that The Holy Eucharist is actually the Body of Christ, there is no need for anyone, including the Priest to open his arms and point them up.
God is on the Altar, right in front of the priest.

The orans position is a personal choice at any other time. During this part of the mass, it is unwarranted.

 

[katherine2]

netmil(name removed by moderator):

The orans posture for the priest at the time of the “Our Father” is for him to welcome his flock to the words of God.

The orans position is a personal choice at any other time. During this part of the mass, it is unwarranted.

Yoru description of why the priest uses this position is unknown in Catholic tradition. It may be a pious theory of yours, but it is not part of Catholic Tradition.

 

[Kendall]

dmelosi:

Hello,
I understand that at mass it is not proper to raise or hold hands during the Our Father.

What are the reasons?

If someone is doing so, would you suggest explaining to them why it is not proper?

Thanks,
Dave

 

[Kendall]

“I do not know why some people in some Churches hold hands, or, for that matter, why some extend their hands. Neither posture/gesture is prescribed by the rubrics of the Catholic Church. A National Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on the Liturgy has recently said as much. Apparently when the revised “Roman Missal” is put into English in the next year or so, the extending of the hands at the Lord’s Prayers will be recommended. But it is NOT the present discipline. Far less the “joining of hands.” Both gestures are foreign to our Liturgy. The committee has said that it is inappropriate, since the Lord’s Prayer is to be a vertical prayer, addressed to the Father. The emphasis is NOT horizontal (i.e., toward our neighbor or community) As for the extending of the hands, it may some day be the prescribed gesture. It is the ancient “orans” or “praying” gesture of clergy, but it is not the present attitude of the laity. Since neither gesture is prescribed at present, we should refrain from them. It is not a question of “sin” but such things make visitors feel uncomfortable…and we are supposed to be “Catholic” in our worship - responsive to the universal Church”

 

[Kielbasi]

but such things make visitors feel uncomfortable.

I don’t think so, most visitors are astute enough to imitate their hosts.

They might not be used to the traditions in any particular church, but I think most expect that there are traditions everywhere.

 

[robertaf]

katherine2:

They aren’t. Nor are our lay people has they pray in the posture the Blessed Mother prayed in.

What is the posture the Blessed Mother prayed in? I have never read anything about it.

However, since the earliest tradition (back to the Old Testament Jewish tradition) was prayinig with hand lifted, I would think that the women prayed this way, too.
It is pretty certain, Jesus, the Apostles and most Jewish men postured with “holy hands raised on high”, that is most likely the way it was done across the genders.
It is scriptural and traditional for the Priest to pray in this position.

 

[JakeW]

Mfaustina1:

Wow! One reason hand-raising and holding is not a good idea has been pretty well spelled out here. It is distracting! Also, it is not called for in the GIRM. General Instruction in the Roman Missal. A copy is available in any good Catholic bookstore.

Another intersting note on this I’ve read elsewhere, is that our worship should be horizontal…that is, our worship comes from us as a community straight upward toward God and should not be horizontal…that is…among ourselves to ourselves. Does that make any sense to anyone? I hope you understand what I mean. God bless! - Mfaustina1

GREAT POST

 

[betra2000]

katherine2:

And holding hands is somehow an UNnatural act?

AMEN!!!

 

[JKirkLVNV]

debbie m.:

It really doesn’t matter what a priest or bishop thinks on these two matters it is up to the HOLY SEE in Rome. We all know there are priest’s and bishop’s who are heretics and do whatever they want to. No wonder some of the faithful think they don’t have to follow the instructions from the Church.

While I do not like the orans (in public) nor the holding of hands during the Our Father, I whince a little to hear you describe bishops and priest who allow it or encourage it as heretics. It isn’t heretical. It might be questionable in terms of discipline, I don’t know, since I refuse to do it myself, it isn’t much of an issue for me. I do know it isn’t a heresy. Heresy is denying that Christ is God from God, or that the Virgin Birth is not true or that the species do not become the Body and Blood of Jesus. I also very much doubt that it is the “smoke of Satan.” It’s just a different expression of devotion, directed at God. I don’t like it, you don’t like it. I just close my eyes, or direct them at the Altar.

 

[puzzleannie]

katherine2:

right. two people never held hands until AA thought of it.

I thought it originated with the Girl Scouts friendship circle we used to close our meetings, I figure whenever somebody squeezes my hand after the Kingdom part, they are a former Girl Scout. (here they actually cross the aisle and grab you if you are not participating)

 

[AnnieD]

TheGarg:

Me too!
Until I hear my priest, bishop or the Pope say “Don’t Hold hands during the Our Father”, I guess I will gladly do it…I have heard nothing but personal opinions as of yet though…

Peace of the Lord be with you all!

My Spiritual Director, who is a Priest, told me that parishioners are not to raise or hold hands during the Our Father. He said only the Priest raises his hands during the Our Father, not Parishioners. He said that raising and holding hands during the Our Father was started by the Cursillo Movement and that they are wrong to be doing it.


Annie