What do you do when the priest TELLS YOU to hold hands?

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**What do you do when the priest TELLS YOU to hold hands? **

I think I would go elsewhere…
 
Obey at that mass, then put copies of the published prohibition on requiring it in his hand.

The next time, file a complaint with the Bishop, and cc the CDL…
 
Hello everyone. I’m a new member and just starting to post.

So, here goes… We join hands at my parish and at all the parishes that I’ve visited. For funeral masses mostly. It’s widely accepted as far as I can tell in my area. I don’t see any problem with it. Nor would I force my hand on anyone who was bashful about it.

It’s a sign of unity isn’t it?
 
Mickey_Finn said:
Hello everyone. I’m a new member and just starting to post.

So, here goes… We join hands at my parish and at all the parishes that I’ve visited. For funeral masses mostly. It’s widely accepted as far as I can tell in my area. I don’t see any problem with it. Nor would I force my hand on anyone who was bashful about it.

It’s a sign of unity isn’t it?
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No it is not. It might be intended as such, but it is not mentioned in GIRM and really originated with Alcoholics Anonymous. In my diocese, it has been forbidden by the bishop and the his director of liturgy.
 
Hi,

There have been many threads on this subject. The USCCB has said that there is no posture prescribed for the Lord’s Prayer.

The priest is not commanding anyone, just making a suggestion. Technically I suppose he shouldn’t even do that, but if he does, I would respect him.

I was told by a very conservative priest that you should follow the instructions of the celebrant, unless it is something against doctrine or morals.

I don’t think it would be a sin or disobedient to ignore the suggestion, but I personally will respect the priest.

Lux
 
peregrinus_WA said:
I would refuse to obey.

In addition, when I visit other parishes (which I rarely do), I do not even do the “sign of peace”. I just close my eyes and stand there.
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wow, that’s not very nice…you don’t have to shake hands, but I don’t see anything wrong with wishing someone God’s peace.
 
Mickey_Finn said:
Forbidden? If I come visit, I’ll be sure to keep my hands to myself. 😉
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Let me explain, and, by the way, welcome!

A priest, and anyone else, for that matter, is not allowed to add anything to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. So, if he tells people to hold hands during the Pater Noster, this is ilicit because he does not have the authority to do that. Please see my initial post on this thread for the relevant sections of Redemptionis Sacramentum.

The advice that you are replying to is pretty accurate. Furthermore, there is no organic development for this practice. Just because something is not spelled out explicitly and specifically in the GIRM doesn’t mean that we can go ahead and insert things willy-nilly.

The only ones who can insert such things are the national episcopal conferences, and, such insertsions must carry the recogitio of the Holy See before they can be implemented. Now, the bishop is perfectly within his right to forbid this kind of a practice because it does nto exist in any of the authoritative, liturgical documents of the Holy See. A pastor can also forbid this same practice because it doesn’t exist. However, he cannot tell people to engage in something that is not in the books.

By the way, the '“sign of unity” comes during Holy Communion, when, those who are predisposed approach the altar to receive Our Lord. Actually, you could say that it begins the moment the priest says “In the name of the Father, of the Son and the Holy Spirit” at the beginning of Mass becasue at that point, we come together as chlidren of the Father to worship the Triune God.
 
Some Churches I have gone to hold hands and others do not. I really don’t see what the fuss is all about. To each his own I suppose.
 
point one
I know what both sides are here and I have also been in this situation-I held hands.

If you have ever read Lewis’ Screwtape Letters you will realize the evil one can use all these little things to separate us from God.

point two
I do not normally hold hands- it’s about 1/2 1/2 in our parish-
our family crosses our hands in front. NOW THERE ARE TIMES when my son and I actually reach out to each other or my husband reaches for my hand when there is a prayer that touches our hearts- the mutual feeling being that we want to pray this together as a team- which is all I can judge this priest wants.
 
babygirl6152 said:
If you have ever read Lewis’ Screwtape Letters you will realize the evil one can use all these little things to separate us from God.
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Not sure what you are saying, but I agree arrogance over ones POV is very dangerous. Pride is not the most deadly of the capital sins for no reason

[Edited]

Lux
 
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