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Question Title Posted By Question Date
Position of Hands during the Our Father Martin Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Question:

I know of a priest who works for the Archbishop and takes care of setting up special Masses whever the Bishops goes. He has told his parishioners that they are NOT to hold hands during the Our Father. All fine and dandy. However, he tell them that they are instead to lift up their hands NOT palm up but palm facing forward. Sorta like when told by a robber, "stick-em up" but elbows to your side. He said this will be the norm. My question is ... Huh???? Have you heard of any such thing?
Question Answered by Mr. Jacob Slavek

Dear Martin,

Nope, I have never heard of such a thing.  The first and only thing that came to my mind is, and believe me this is a long shot, that maybe the priest is addressing the main argument against the "orans" position by the people.  That argument is that the people are not do assume it because it imitates a posture that is specific to the role of the priest.  (which by the way is a good argument)

My thought was that by changing the posture slightly, it would no longer be imitating he priest and therefore in his opinion acceptable.  Like I said it's a long shot but that is possibly what this priest is thinking.

I of course do not agree with that logic in the slightest since neither the instruction nor the rubrics call for a posture to be made by the people at that moment. (other than of course standing)

If it is the case that that is NOT what the priest is thinking, then I don't have the slightest clue what if anything he is thinking.

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.