I was raised Catholic back in the day & this wasn't done. Unfortunately, I wandered from the church for "several" years, now as I am not only older, but also a parent, my children & I are going to Mass. So many things have changed...one of them is holding the hands out during the Lord's Prayer ~ I don't do this because I am not sure why it is being done ~ we just use to hold our hands in prayer formationg. Can someone answer this for me? Thanks
2007-06-04 06:41:58 · 11 answers · asked by ohkathy 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
There are actually two things going on during the Our Father that aren't in the rubrics. The orans posture, which is what you saw, is normally reserved to the priest. Also, in tandem with this you may find folks holding hands with the others in their pew (with people at the "ends" holding the unoccupied hand up in the air; I suppose that's a "half orans"?) as they pray the Our Father.
The practice has neither been approved, or disapproved. There's no posture prescribed for the assembly during the Lord's Prayer other than to be standing. I had heard that the USCCB had come out with a document clearing this up one way or the other, but it was pending approval by Rome.
My personal understanding is that some folks got so attached to doing this in the wake of all the other Vatican II changes to the Mass that priests were reluctant to make an issue of it.
I find it intrusive, and although some say it's done in the name of "unity", it takes away from the unity of the sign of peace and makes it superfluous.
You aren't compelled to join in with this feel-good freestyling if you'd prefer not to. Just keep your hands clasped in front of you, and perhaps close your eyes as the prayer begins. Even still, you may find some folks -- the same ones who call this their favorite part of the Mass, did they miss something about the Eucharist? -- grabbing at your hand or nudging you.
2007-06-04 09:06:53 · answer #1 · answered by Clare † 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is common in some Catholic Churches and not in others. Was everyone else holding hands? I assume if you were the only two in the pew, there might be some attraction, just ask her to go our for a cup of Coffee, or a Coke and see where it leads. Good Luck and God bless.
2016-05-21 02:11:05 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are praying not only with their voices, but with their body as well.
In some parishes they hold hands as a sign of being a faith community. There isn't anything in the liturgical Church documents that either condones or condemns it. It varies from parish to parish. You aren't ever required to hold hands. Simply fold your hands in front of you, and bow your head as you pray.
2007-06-04 06:57:55 · answer #3 · answered by Faustina 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a devotion to the Holy Spirit. In my parish, most all of us hold hands at this moment to show our unity to one another and the unity of God's Holy Church.
There are several things that Vatican II has messed up on, but this is not one of them, neither is the kiss of peace. By the way, I am happy to hear that you have come back to the Church. Please understand that Satan is abound these days in our midst, within the very Church itself, so please remember Tradition and don't let the spirit of modernism wreck your faith as it has so many, and also always remember that the Church will prevail in the end. God Bless you.
2007-06-04 07:16:22 · answer #4 · answered by Nic B 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Welcome to the new face of the Catholic Church. Vatican 2 as its sometimes affectionately called.
They have embraced, as they always have, the cultures of other religious rites and incorporated them into their own to help bring others into their church. (Which is why we have religious holiday feasts like Christmas and Easter at the times of year we have them.)
Some Churches have also embraced evangelical customs and incorporated them into their masses. Genuflecting is becoming rare these days. Prayer dancing is becoming quite the craze too….
2007-06-04 06:48:04 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I always hold hands with people around me ...
OMG, there was this cute family at Mass last week ... they were holding there little girl, and she spread out her arms like she was flying ... my heart was breaking at the cute image!!! She looked just like a little angle trying to fly.
2007-06-04 06:53:11 · answer #6 · answered by Giggly Giraffe 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The older generations do, yes.
P.S Giving praise. Isn't that why you go to church?
2007-06-04 06:47:08 · answer #7 · answered by Vintage Glamour 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The are doing it for dramatic effect.....now ask yourself WHY?
Why do we need bells and whistles to go off when we serve God? Seems like its showy to me. God loves the meek.
2007-06-04 06:47:30 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
This is charismatic - they are asking for the Spirit to enter their lives.....
2007-06-04 06:44:13 · answer #9 · answered by tracymoo 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Are they holding their hands out face down...or face up. If they are hold them out face up, then put some cash in them.
2007-06-04 06:45:13 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 5⤋