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Question Title Posted By Question Date
Holding hands during the John Sunday, September 14, 2014

Question:

Today, during Mass, our priest reached over to the Altar girl, who was holding the hand of one of the other two other Altar servers, and held her hand during the "Our Father".

I understand that holding hands during the "Our Father" is not part of the Liturgy and should not be encouraged but is allowed for families if they choose to do so.

My question is this. Should our priest and pastor not have encourage this practice by holding hands on the Altar thus making this practice appear as part of the Liturgy now considered as an acceptable practice?

I will wait for your answer.

John.
Question Answered by Mr. Jacob Slavek

Dear John,

You are absolutely right, both the GIRM and rubrics are explicitly clear that the priest extends his hands for the Our Father.

I can't think of any circumstances that would require a priest to not follow that simple rule...  the laypeople certainly do NOT need any help learning how to hold hands!

Thanks for writing,

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.