Swirly thing...

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Jabronie

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I notice more and more people are doing this “swirly thing” with their hands during the Alleluia before the Gospel. I’m not sure how to describe it properly… They raise their left and and stick out their index finger and twirl it around on each “Alleluia!”

Anyone else see this? Can you tell me why they do it?

It’s very annoying. 🤷
 
??? I must say (gladly) that I have no idea what you’re talking about…
 
I did not see this in the one real Mass I went to, nor the SSPX one I saw on accident.
 
Maybe they’re swining their hands in time with the music? The kind of ‘conductor’ thing people do when they like a song?

Regardless, it shows a deep misunderstanding of what is actually happening… =
 
Jabronie, I know exactly what you are talking about. They used to do it at our LifeTeen Mass. (and no, I do not want to launch into another pointless discussion of LifeTeen’s merits, or lack therof).

Fortunately, few people employ this ridiculous gesture any longer. I guess they just tired of it, or realized how stupid it was. Don’t lose sleep over it-it will eventually pass.
 
I’ve seen it, and others have said that it is sign language (English, not American, so they say) for “alleluia”. Why people feel the need to do it is an entirely different question. “It’s all the fashion!” seems to be the answer.
 
Jabronie said:
They’re doing it at three parishes I attend in Omaha.

Did I mention that it’s really annoying?
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I have to admit, it sounds worse than the first real Mass I went to where a lady suddenly grabbed my hand for a prayer I found out today was the Our Father prayer. (too nervous to really know at the time) and boy- I did not know what to do, except not like it.
I wanted to tell her- WARNING- I am not a christian! Dont touch me! But, additionally, I found it very disconcerting. I will simply pretend I need to cough and need my hand back so I can get it back and then reposition it so its behind my back and harder to forcibly grab.

I am sure she meant well, but it made me really uncomfortable, and I am guessing this movement you describe, if its totally new to you- would be really annoying.😦
 
notsmart said:
I have to admit, it sounds worse than the first real Mass I went to where a lady suddenly grabbed my hand for a prayer I found out today was the Our Father prayer. (too nervous to really know at the time) and boy- I did not know what to do, except not like it.
I wanted to tell her- WARNING- I am not a christian! Dont touch me! But, additionally, I found it very disconcerting. I will simply pretend I need to cough and need my hand back so I can get it back and then reposition it so its behind my back and harder to forcibly grab.

I am sure she meant well, but it made me really uncomfortable, and I am guessing this movement you describe, if its totally new to you- would be really annoying.😦
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If there’s one thing we like at the Catholic Answers Forums, it’s a long discussion about holding hands during the Lord’s Prayer (Our Father) !!!

just kidding :rolleyes:
 
txstm said:
Jabronie, I know exactly what you are talking about. They used to do it at our LifeTeen Mass. (and no, I do not want to launch into another pointless discussion of LifeTeen’s merits, or lack therof).

Fortunately, few people employ this ridiculous gesture any longer. I guess they just tired of it, or realized how stupid it was. Don’t lose sleep over it-it will eventually pass.
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Ok, I have not seen it, but from what you say it does sound very fad-ish with the teens.
 
notsmart said:
I have to admit, it sounds worse than the first real Mass I went to where a lady suddenly grabbed my hand for a prayer I found out today was the Our Father prayer. (too nervous to really know at the time) and boy- I did not know what to do, except not like it.
I wanted to tell her- WARNING- I am not a christian! Dont touch me! But, additionally, I found it very disconcerting. I will simply pretend I need to cough and need my hand back so I can get it back and then reposition it so its behind my back and harder to forcibly grab.

I am sure she meant well, but it made me really uncomfortable, and I am guessing this movement you describe, if its totally new to you- would be really annoying.😦
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Also, to prevent people from grabbing your hands during the Lord’s Prayer, your best defense is to fold them in “prayer position” :gopray: before the offending hands manage to grab yours.
 
Jabronie said:
Also, to prevent people from grabbing your hands during the Lord’s Prayer, your best defense is to fold them in “prayer position” :gopray: before the offending hands manage to grab yours.
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Great idea! I did not know this was a topic discussed at length, I am sorry. I am just learning.😊
 
notsmart said:
Great idea! I did not know this was a topic discussed at length, I am sorry. I am just learning.😊
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No worries 👍 I go through the same thing every Sunday, and follow Jabronie’s advice, works like a charm 😛
 
The “swirly” motion isn’t American Sign Language. CLICK HERE for a link to a video and description of the word “alleluia” in ASL. Not even close.

'thann
 
I’ve seen it too at one of the parishes I was visiting. The sign was “attached” to the singing of the Gloria. And the director there also said something about it being “sign language”.
 
AMDGtoo said:
I’ve seen it too at one of the parishes I was visiting. The sign was “attached” to the singing of the Gloria. And the director there also said something about it being “sign language”.
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So people who require sign language (and read BSL) get a one-word Mass. Seems rather minimalist. 🙂
 
Just a minor correction, sign language- in the USA as far as I am aware is called ASL (American Sign Language) not English Sign Language. Minor point, just wanted to say that. There are others, but that I believe is the universal standard here. I could be wrong.

EDIT TO ADD: there are some catholic parishes (listed in the arch, not schismatic ones) that do have a ASL interpreter (?) for those who are hearing impaired. I note those because I have a friend who has offered to go to Mass with me who is hearing impaired, and is familliar with ASL.
 
notsmart said:
Just a minor correction, sign language- in the USA as far as I am aware is called ASL (American Sign Language) not English Sign Language. Minor point, just wanted to say that. There are others, but that I believe is the universal standard here. I could be wrong.
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Right. I meant to write American Sign Language or British Sign Language, but for the latter I incorrectly wrote English Sign Language. The sign is apparently BSL, which makes it rather odd to find it being used in the States.
 
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