Laying of Hands

[avalia]

Hey y'all,

I was teaming a retreat two weeks ago where they encouraged people to pray over each other and in fact, had a room where you could go and be prayed over and if you wish have a "laying of hands"

Now, I know a priest sometimes does this - blessing someone, praying over the sick - but it was different as these were all lay people.

I never did this growing up in my parish - and I was wondering - good, bad, indifferent....

"What's the deal with this?"

Thanks!

[Brother Adam]

I don't know of any norms that allows for a lay person to lay hands on another person. I'd be interested if it is permissible somewhere though.

[avalia]

It was usually before a witness and some people spoke their prayers for that person who were going to witness aloud. Other people just came in to be prayed over.

Hmmm.

[avalia]

bump

[Paladin D]

Was it like the laying hands on someone (like a hand on a shoulder or etc) and praying for that person? Or was it similar to when a bishop ordains a seminarian to be a priest (both hands on head)?

I think the latter is a no-no.

Edited March 8, 2005 by Paladin D

[cmotherofpirl]

[quote name='avalia' date='Mar 7 2005, 01:34 PM'] Hey y'all,

I was teaming a retreat two weeks ago where they encouraged people to pray over each other and in fact, had a room where you could go and be prayed over and if you wish have a "laying of hands"

Now, I know a priest sometimes does this - blessing someone, praying over the sick - but it was different as these were all lay people.

I never did this growing up in my parish - and I was wondering - good, bad, indifferent....

"What's the deal with this?"

Thanks! [/quote]
I think its fine to pray for somebody but I draw the line at touching. The only hands that really count are those of a priest, because he has touched GOD.

[jasJis]

Of course, we touch God as intimately. When we receive the Eucharist, God is with us as intimately as our very breath. A priest can consecrate, we can't. It isn't a liturgical norm, as liturgical norms are applied to private prayers such as this. Read Acts and you would see that people would pray for each other by touching. It's probably more of a cultural thing as I see hispanics in my parish more inclined to embracing and touching with southerners next, and northeners the least likely to touch.

[Scofizzle]

there is nothing wrong with laying hands on someone when you pray for them.....we do it all time in our young adults group...Im pretty sure there is scriptural backing for it although I dont know it.

[God Conquers]

We can't hold hands outside of mass either!?

Just a little joke there....

Laying on of hands goes way back. Like jas said, AoA, and it is a very human thing to touch someone when comforting, consoling, encouraging or sending forth, so it makes sense to do so when praying for someone, which can be any or a compbination of all those things.

[Archangel]

Sometimes during the year (like Mothers' Day and Fathers' Day), we hold up our arms outstretched to offer our prayers and blessings upon the moms and dads at Mass. But I've never had to actually lay my hands on somebody.

[avalia]

No, the hands were never on your head. I have to say that I really thought it was a powerful experience and comforting as well. It really emphasized the love and community of the church and the embracing love of God. I would agree that its a cultural thing as well.

[Timothy]

The laying on of hands is used by priest to install gifts given to an individual by The Holy Spirit. It is very clear in the Scripture that this happens. For example read Timothy 2 and you see where Paul tells Timothy to use the gifts that were given to him by the laying of hands upon him. The power of The Holy Spirit can come upon any individual if it is the will of Christ. I believe because I have experienced the laying upon hands by a priest, as I am a layperson. However, for those who believe who out experiencing, then your faith is strong and I say Amen. Remember that it is not the priest whom posses these gifts, but it is Christ whom works through The Holy Spirit.

[Fiat_Voluntas_Tua]

I am assuming that by no means were these people claiming that this laying on of hands conferred Sacramental Grace or an Indellible Mark on the persons soul, like the laying on of hands at an Ordination.

I have seen this done before and it appears that it is nothing more than just another sign that you are calling upon the Holy Spirit to be with this person. Intercessory Prayer is what it is. By no means is it the "form and matter" for intercessory prayer, but it is a sign that the Holy Spirit does come upon you. There is obvisouly no Sacramental Rite being performed. It is just another part of the charasmatic renewal.

Totus Tuus,
Andrew Joseph

"Be not afraid."

[Matt Black]

Sounds typically charismatic to me; they are probably just asking the Holy Spirit to come into that person's life a bit more. As long as there are no kind of sacramental overtones to it, I see no harm

Yours in Christ

Matt

[myduwigd]

[quote name='Scofizzle' date='Mar 7 2005, 11:16 PM'] there is nothing wrong with laying hands on someone when you pray for them.....we do it all time in our young      s group...Im pretty sure there is scriptural backing for it although I dont know it. [/quote]
i totally agree. Ive been involved in doing this my entire life. HUmans are very interpersonal beings and part of this is physical touch. Why would we seclude ourselves off when we are praying together? of course there is a time and a place.
man, ihave not been to young group in a long time...

Edited March 20, 2005 by myduwigd