I was a hand holder before children, then realized we could not have our 6 children hold hands during the our father, and now i find i can focus more intently on the lords prayer if i fold my hands and close my eyes. The reason is that protestants do not have the real presence of christ. If the priest is holding hands with the children during the eucharistic prayer than that might pose more serious problems, because the priest is obliged to perform certain gestures like laying his hands over the gifts to be consecrated, to make the sign of the cross and to elevate the body and blood of christ at the appropriate times. Of course, the holy communion is great unity, but thats not the point here. The priest who told you that it looks sillyoh id love to see him tell jesus that.
Those who are extraordinary ministers of holy communion in the parish church or those involved in ministry to the homebound should take special precautions. Maybe this practice migrated to church, as the our father is the final grace that we say before sharing in the lords supper. The faithful are not to use the orans posture during the. It is a very ancient position for prayer, well documented in ancient catacomb art, as in the image at left. While there are no directions as to the posture of the faithful, the rubrics clearly direct the priest and any concelebrants to pray the our father with hands extended so they at least should not hold hands. There are two ancient postures of prayer in the church. They are discussing holding hands during mass during the our father. How should we hold our hands at mass and does it matter. Oneness comes primarily through our joint union with god, but oneness is also expressed externally at times by the joining of hands or the raising of hands together. John of the cross, summarized the catholic faith in one word, love. The appendix notes that the practice of holding hands during the our father is discouraged.
The act of holding hands usually emphasizes group or personal unity from the human or physical point of view and is thus more. This position during mass is symbolic of leading in prayer. So what is the origin of holding hands when praying around a circle before a meal. Holy holdinghands during the our father how do you all feel about all that hand holding business during the recitation of the lords prayer at mass. While no one can find fault if a husband and wife, or a family want spontaneously to hold hands during the lords prayer, the priest does not have the right to. This is oddly widespread in the united states but its an illicit addition to the liturgy. Awkwardness aside, holding hands or not is an indication of regional and cultural differences in liturgical practice. One of my first memories of sunday mass was my mother taking my hand when we joined in the lords prayer. Can a congregation hold hands anyway, even if it is extraneous. Looking around, i saw that many others in the basilica had joined hands, and. When this hymn is concluded, the priest, with hands joined, says. But there is a bit of a controversy in canon law circles about whether that applies in this case because there are certain prayers that are designated. When our lady and saint bernadette soubirous met at the grotto in lourdes in.
This is an external sign indicating that you are united with those with whom you are praying. Holding hands during the our father at holy mass is not a vatican approved part of the liturgy. During private prayer outside of mass, the faithful are permitted to use forms of prayer posture that they wish. Members of prayer groups often instinctively join hands when praying together this most basic of all of our prayers. Another question about raising hands during the our father. Before meals, quakers typically have a silent grace or a moment of. The practice of holding hands while praying the our father comes from the protestant world. Will in obedience comply but very disappointing to be told how we may no longer praise the lord by a simple lifting up of hands as a sign of adoration and worship. Holding hands during the our father is no different.
What is the final word on raising your palms up during the our father prayer at mass like the priest does, and who decides what we do during that time. Should we adopt the orans posture during the our father. Viewing 9 posts 1 through 9 of 9 total author posts october 7, 2007 at 4. Some people feel that holding hands during the our father enhances a sense of community. Holding hands during the our father should be discouraged. In response to a query, however, the holy see stated that holding hands is a liturgical gesture introduced spontaneously but on personal initiative. Arguments in favor of holding hands during the our father. Kind of the orans posture refers to the position of holding ones arms extended to the sides with hands facing up or out during prayer. Posture during the eucharistic prayer and the our father. Nov 18, 2003 the argument from silence is not very strong, however, because while there is no particular difficulty in a couple, family or a small group spontaneously holding hands during the our father, a.
It wouldnt be valid, and it is not, regardless of his high office. Throughout the mass, various gestures are prescribed for both the priest and the faithful worshipers. Why do some hold hands during the our father catholictv. For example, a bishop cant consecrate with pepsi and nonwheat bread. Why do some hold hands during the our father catholictv jump to navigation.
Holding hands during the lords prayer this article addresses the issue of holding hands during the our father. Elevating the bread and wine during the eucharist, offering them to god or showing them to the people extending hands in greeting e. Should people hold hands during the our father at mass. Pastoral letter to all priests, deacons, seminarians. I gotta write a blog post about my mass experience with this today. Donovan, stl, over at the ewtn website, states that the orans posture in the congregation arms outstretched in a praying or adoration position is contrary. Holding hands and orans position during the our father free download as word doc. While communion under both species has a more complete form. Kentucky, argued in a statement issued in 2011 that hand holding during the our father is not part of church rubrics. This is perfectly appropriate so long as it can be done with dignity and without the unseemly acrobatics that sometimes ensue. It is no more a community prayer than the penitential rite, but we dont hold hands during that. Therefore, the practice of holding hands during the our father is to be discouraged.
Why is it inappropriate to lift hands in praise during the our father when the bible tells us to lift up our hands in praise. Nevertheless, we must remember that this gesture is not prescribed, it is an innovation to the mass, and in its goal to build unity and sensitivity. At our previous church, a priest had said that this was not to be done and that only the priest should raise his hands. Darrel kempf answers the questions in this weeks ask a priest. Reasons why i think that holding hands during the our father, is in the spirit of the mass one of my favorite saints, st.
I dont think theres anything intrinsically wrong with the gesture by itselfbut taken as a whole, combined with the many other subtle infiltrations of protestantism into the mass organizing the pews so the laity faces each other, no kneelers, removing the tabernacle from behind the. A different case is the practice in which some people adopt the orantes posture during the our father, praying like the priest, with hands extended. Responding to an article that first appeared online june 29, an overwhelming majority of readers say they either are hand. Is holding hands during the our father at mass okay. Many say we should not be holding hands in the congregation while reciting the lords prayer because it is not a community prayer but a prayer to our father. Arguments against the holding of hands during the our father.
Mar 12, 2020 no holding hands during the our father and encouraging folded hands in reverence. The ten most common liturgical abuses catholic answers. If a bishop is holding hands during the our father while celebrating mass, he violated the rubrics. Mandatory greeting your neighbor before the mass and holding hands during the our father takes something away from that little celebration. Only jesus christ and therefore the priest who acts in his person can make the orans posture within the holy mass. The official publication of the sacred congregation for the sacrament sand divine worship, notitiae 11 1975 226, states the practice must be repudiated. We are standing here, joined as one, calling to our father. However, none of the aforementioned books give instruction on posture handholding during the lords prayer during holy mass. And answers the question of whether or not it is a legitimate part of the liturgy. Holding hands during our father prayer catholic prophecy. Catholic church to temporarily practice communion in the. I could almost swear that, at least a couple of years ago, i saw something in the diocesan liturgical manual or was it an addendum to the girm. The vast majority of those who follow ncr via social media are a friendly bunch who dont mind holding hands during the our father at mass. I know holding hands with my dad during the our father was very special to my mother, for example, especially since hed been away from the church for over 35 years before his return, which was a miracle.
He, too, is subject to their authority would be my argument. Its hard not to notice that at almost every single modern catholic parish these days, more and more. No position is prescribed in the roman missal for an assembly gesture during the lords prayer. Holding hands during our father liturgy and sacraments.
Nevertheless, we must remember that this gesture is not prescribed, it is an innovation to the mass, and in its goal to build unity and sensitivity, it. I once had a nice man stand next to me and try to hold my hand during the entire prayer. Marys filling in the center aisle, can be distracting. Aug 24, 2019 the old question of holding hands during the our father has erupted again. In the evansville indiana diocese it was common practice to hold hands during the our father, about 10 years ago our then bishop said at the chrism mass one year that this gives a negative look in that we are excluding people and he suggested that we raise our hands like the clergy as a sign of respect. Holding hands during the our father aggie catholic blog. When the our father is over and the sign of peace begins some people might be a nice walk away from their original spot, trying to shake hands. This time of prayer and offering is directed to god as is the entire mass, but more specifically. Should we hold hands andor hold our hands up while praying in mass. Jun 29, 2017 should we hold hands or not during the our father.
Holding hands or not is less important than praying in a commonly bodily posture, as the body of christ. Nov 21, 2003 holding hands during the our father is a liturgical abuse. It is called for to the priest alone during the our father. Granted, the holding of hands during the lords prayer seems to have become almost a tradition in some parishes throughout the country. Here is what i think was going on in our heads when holding hands during the our father. Q most of the parishioners at our current church hold hands during the our father and then raise their hands when saying, the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever. People who insert ad libitum unprescribed handholding during the our father, but never make the required bow at the words by the power of the holy during the creed, are backwards and upside down.
Holding hands at mass during the our father should people hold hands during the our father at mass. This position to which you refer is known as the orans position from the latin word for pray. Therefore, the our father is an opportunity for the congregation to project a unity of congregation. The holy mass is not a private devotion, but rather a liturgya prescribed and protected form of communal worship.
The faithful are not to use the orans posture during the our. What is the final word on raising your palms up during the. Holding hands during the our father have you ever wondered why some people hold hands during the our father while others do not. Bishop chris coyne talks about the practice of holding hands during the lords prayer at the catholic liturgy. The one gesture that is probably not appropriate during the our father prayer of mass is holding hands. How wrong is it to hold hands during the our father. I think holding hands at this point, especially the way its done at st. In that regard, let us look instead to another reason why the orans posture and subsequently, holding hands is not an appropriate gesture for the faithful during the our father.
This question seems too obscure to answer with any real certitude at all. Given that the source of our unity is the body and blood of the lord. And we all know that scripture describes god with that very same word. On postures of prayer during the our father i this. Holding hands and orans position during the our father mass. The simple fact is that the mass is not about feeling good and being buddybuddy with the people around you. Many say we should not be holding hands in the congregation while reciting the lords prayer because it is not a community prayer but a prayer to our. No one, not even the celebrant, is permitted to add things to the mass that are not in the approved liturgical books. Coming to our father with open hands british province of. Ask a priest do i have to hold hands during the our father. Holding hands during the our father has become commonplace, but it is an illicit addition to the liturgy. Pastoral letter to all priests, deacons, seminarians, religious men and women, and lay faithful of the diocese of fort worth 1 of 3 pages.
Is holding or raising hands ok during the our father. Some families and households hold hands to say grace before meals. When it comes to the lords prayer our father at sunday mass, these are the questions catholics on the road visiting parishes in the summer vacation season face. For other people, holding hands is a kind of intimacy they reserve for family members. Before moving to the heart of this post, a bit of personal history seems in order. When the our father is over and the sign of peace begins some people might be a nice walk away from their original spot, trying to shake hands or hug everyone on their way back. The old question of holding hands during the our father has erupted again. The liturgy does not appear to call for the laity to raise their hands during the our father, and in general there is a prohibition on the laity immitating the gestures appropriate to a priest. Father dave explains what we should or should not do with our hands during this period in mass. Aug 25, 2017 but i still feel some tension over it, especially when, for example, i attend mass with people who appreciate handholding. But when the wives held their husbands hands during the same threat.
The hands of the faithful should be folded in prayer during the our father. Oct 07, 2007 home forums all things catholic our father hand position this topic has 1 reply, 6 voices, and was last updated 12 years, 5 months ago by anonymous. The ultimate authority in regulating the liturgy is the pope. Holding hands during the our father is a liturgical abuse. For this reason, no one can be required to hold hands during the our father 161. At morning mass, it was announced not to lift up our hands. Should we hold hands andor hold our hands up while praying. The argument from silence is not very strong, however, because while there is no particular difficulty in a couple, family or a small group spontaneously holding hands during the our father, a problem arises when the entire assembly is expected or obliged to do so. Though i liked it in elementary school mass because sometimes i got to hold hands with a girl. C atholics, it would appear both traditional and postvaticanii no longer have any idea about what to do with those awkward appendages called their hands during mass. When the lords prayer is prayed at mass, such an action handholding may not be as appropriate.
Home forums all things catholic our father hand position this topic has 1 reply, 6 voices, and was last updated 12 years, 5 months ago by anonymous. The our father takes place during the liturgy of the eucharist. The rubrics do not call for the holding of hands during the our father. Philosophy and religion fellowship religious aspects social aspects interpersonal relations lords prayer rites, ceremonies and celebrations. However, holding hands during the our father while illicit does not rise to the level of a mortal sin. If the above analysis is correct and the orans position in mass has come to symbolize priestly prayer on behalf of the congregation instead of prayer with it, then the rubrics should no longer call for the priest to extend his hands during the our father as if he is praying on behalf of the congregation. Aug 22, 2007 i think holding hands at this point, especially the way its done at st. Holding hands at mass during the our father dave armstrong. Bishop coyne speaks about the practice of holding hands during the lords prayer at the catholic liturgy. One could argue that holding hands expresses the family union of the church.
As time went on and with the addition of three younger brothers, the family our father chain grew. Monday, july 07, 2008 orans posture and hand holding during the our father are against the rubrics instructions for the mass. Clarifications and interpretations of the girm notitiae vol. Should we hold hands andor hold our hands up while. The argument from silence is not very strong, however, because while there is no particular difficulty in a couple, family or a small group spontaneously holding hands during. We arent discussing which sign of unity is the greatest during the mass.
Orans posture and handholding during the our father. Holding hands during the our father is just one of many things that sprang up in the wake of vatican ii. Nov 21, 2014 bishop coyne speaks about the practice of holding hands during the lords prayer at the catholic liturgy. Posted by rod brostrom on march 22, 2014 in order to answer this question with clarity, there is much in the way of information about the mass involving the postures and gestures of the participants that are interesting to. Feb 12, 2010 holding hands during the our father is a liturgical abuse. They should heed all health directives and frequently wash their hands, avoiding contact. Jan 05, 2017 hand holding, an intimate gesture which normally americans reserve for their loved ones, is therefore appropriate in mass and during the our father. Should we refrain from holding hands during the our father. Without the sacrament, you can raise your hands to heaven all you want.
Priest called it flu season mode but we didnt stop it this past flu season. With the circular released by the catholic bishops conference of the philippines cbcp last wednesday, january 29, the parishes of roman catholic church will now temporarily practice the communion in the hand and avoid holding hands while praying the our father amidst the threat posed by the 2019 novel coronavirus ncov. Looking at the logic of this spiritual progression to real unity, the holding of hands at the our father is extraneous. This time of prayer and offering is directed to god as is the entire mass, but more specifically during the liturgy of the eucharist. Jul 28, 2017 holding hands during the lords prater during mass, do you hold hands with others during the our father. We always hold hands during our father at my parish however it was only stopped for a short period during the swine flu scare while back. The our father is the prayer of the entire assembly and not only a priestly prayer or prayer for the celebrant. The catholic commentator on holding hands during the our father. It is an illicit meaning not legally permitted or authorized addition to the liturgy. As for holding hands during prayer, there are certainly very appropriate times to do so. Its really odd to me that most people seem to hold hands during the our father, but almost none of them bow during the creed. Some people hold hands during the lords prayer, while others hold their hands out like the priest.
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