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Question Title Posted By Question Date
Re:- Orans Prayer Position Steven Thursday, September 23, 2004

Question:

Further to Deacon Larry's recent question concerning the correct posture for the deacon at the Lord's prayer, I would like to make the following points.

Although no reference is made to the deacon's posture at this point in the rubrics for the new rite of Mass, I would suggest that it is probably most correct to follow the former usage of the the preconciliar Tridentine Mass. Here, the celebrating priest assumed the orans position at the opening words "Our Father...", and the deacon remained with hands joined palm-to-palm (Source - Fortescue et al. "Ceremonies of the Roman Rite Described"), presumably as a mark of distinction in rank.
(For those interested in such matters, the subdeacon would, at this point be standing on the step below the deacon, holding the patten with joined hands under the humeral veil.)

Also, Msgr. Elliott in "Ceremonies of the Modern Roman Rite", while not discussing the deacon's hand posture during the Lord's Prayer, states that he should have hands joined immediately afterwards, so I would presume this implies hands joined during the prayer also.

Hope this is of help.

Question Answered by Mr. Jacob Slavek

Dear Steven,

Yes I agree with everything you have said.

Although it is "probably most rite" to follow what was done in the old rite when the new is unclear, it must not ABSOLUTELY be done.  They are two distinct rites.

Thank you,

Mr. Slavek

 
Footer Notes: (a) A Eucharistic Minister is clergy (Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion). Laity are Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and should never be called Eucharistic Ministers.

(b) There is no such Mass called the Novus Ordo. The Current Mass is the Roman Missal of 2000, or the Oridinary Form of the Mass. The Tridentine Mass is the Roman Missal of 1962, or the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. Please refrain from using the term, Novus Ordo. Thanks.

(c) The titles of Acolyte and Lector belong exclusively to the Installed Offices of Acolyte and Lector, who are men (only) appointed by the Bishop. These roles performed by others are Altar Servers and Readers, respectively.