Holding Hands

[Noel's angel]

But we are already gathered as a community. We are all together, praying the same prayer. That is enough. If the idea is that it makes us feel more like a community, why don't we hold hands the whole way throughout Mass? Why just during the 'Our Father'? It's senseless.

[Brother Adam]

I notice that people who like to hold hands always say mass is about being gathered as a community. People who don't always say mass is about worshiping God in the Holy Sacrifice. Hmm

[kateri05]

i dont like to hold hands, and i think Mass is primarily a representation of the Holy Sacrifice of the Cross, in which we are all united into the Body of Christ as a community of faith, through the reception of the Body of Christ.

so meh

[Noel's angel]

[MRSannie]

As you can see from the location on my avatar, the hand holding is a big deal here, where we have the highest number of churches per capita in the US. Our Catholic Church is into hand-holding, and I hate it. They also applaud when so-and-so choir sings, or so-and-so 'performs' on whatever instrument. I HATE THAT. Mass is not a 'show'. Our bell choir, while renound in the area, irritates the CARP out of me. I HATE IT when we go to Mass and they are there, up front, flinging their bells and getting applause afterwards. IT IS SO WRONG.

[jeffpugh]

Yeah, it's irreverant. At the "Catholic" highschool masses in our area, people applaud after every performance someone puts on. it's not even music written for the sacred. but that's another story. no one cares about the mass... i hope people at least care somewhat in your area.

[MRSannie]

Not at my kids' high school--there is electric guitar, hand gesture-music, wailing, irreverent pop-Christian songs, etc etc. The sign of Peace is a melee- a la Woodstock. We saw that issue in Louisville, outside the city in Oldham county at Transfiguration of Our Lord Catholic Church. At the Sign of Peace people actually jetted around the sanctuary, chit-chatting and at one point a kid crossed over to the other side of the church via the Altar. It used to FRY me standing there!

[jeffpugh]

Ouch. So much pain from liturgical abuse....

[johnnydigit]

[quote name='MRSannie' post='1419296' date='Nov 14 2007, 08:01 AM']at one point a kid crossed over to the other side of the church via the Altar. It used to FRY me standing there![/quote]

btw, what if Mass is in a chapel, with no steps (altar on level ground) and it's kind of crowded during communion - should i try not to walk behind the altar to get back to my pew?

[Paladin D]

I don't like the holding of hands myself, and strongly prefer not to; however the situation is more dicey. If it was just me attending the parish, then I would stand my ground and refuse to hold hands. The thing is, my family also attends the same small parish I go to, so if there was ever any negative feedback in reaction to my refusal, it'll also be aimed towards my family.

Call me a wuss or a coward, but if my family will also be affected by my actions in a negative light, I prefer not to take that course of action. If it was just myself, then I would have no problem.

[MIKOTHEFREAKSHOW]

i used to hold hands during Our Father growing up.

now i do not. i put my hands in my pocket, and reflect.

and like some people said, if someone reaches for my hand, particularly a very attractive female, i will let them hold my hand.

IM TOTALLY KIDDING ABOUT THE FEMALE REFERENCE.

anyways, if someone reaches for my hand, i do not deny them holding my hand
i do that because
1) i personally dont have trouble focusing at praying to the Eucharist during the Our Father when someone is holding my hand. im still like "WOW GOD UR RIGHT THERE ON THAT ALTAR"
2) i dont want someone to be more distracted by NOT holding their hand.

go to
theroadtomas.com
if my reply made you laugh hahaha

and buy my cd because i am a Catholic musician. who loves the Eucharist and Mary.

Edited November 28, 2007 by MIKO

[Paladin D]

[quote name='MIKO' post='1426059' date='Nov 28 2007, 12:41 AM']anyways, if someone reaches for my hand, i do not deny them holding my hand
i do that because
1) i personally dont have trouble focusing at praying to the Eucharist during the Our Father when someone is holding my hand. im still like "WOW GOD UR RIGHT THERE ON THAT ALTAR"
2) i dont want someone to be more distracted by NOT holding their hand.[/quote]

I can relate to that. I don't extend my hand, unless someone reaches for mine. I close my eyes and listen to the words and focus my mind on the Eucharist, it helps a lot.

[Lil Red]

[quote name='Paladin D' post='1426034' date='Nov 27 2007, 09:47 PM']I don't like the holding of hands myself, and strongly prefer not to; however the situation is more dicey. If it was just me attending the parish, then I would stand my ground and refuse to hold hands. The thing is, my family also attends the same small parish I go to, so if there was ever any negative feedback in reaction to my refusal, it'll also be aimed towards my family.

Call me a wuss or a coward, but if my family will also be affected by my actions in a negative light, I prefer not to take that course of action. If it was just myself, then I would have no problem.[/quote]i don't hold hands even when i go to Mass with my family. no one really seems to care - not even my parents after i explained my reasoning. and i go to a fairly liberal parish

[quote name='MIKO' post='1426059' date='Nov 27 2007, 10:41 PM']and like some people said, if someone reaches for my hand, particularly a very attractive female, i will let them hold my hand.[/quote]
you're awesome

[elizabeth_jane]

This is really easy--
The GIRM says not to hold hands, but to put your hands in the "orans" (palms-up) position for the prayer. As soon as the prayer proper ends (as in, "...but deliver us from evil"), you drop your hands. The priest keeps his up--you don't!

[abercius24]

I personally don't like holding hands, particularly because the Bishops have firmly recommended against it in the U.S. I prefer to hold a prayer posture with my hands throughout the mass (must be the altar boy in me). What bugs me are the "Hand-Holding Nazis". These are the people that will give you a dirty look if you refuse to hold hands and/or hold their hand up right in front of your face; or worse yet -- grab your hand anyways without any regard for your personal wishes. Since when did Facism become acceptable if it pertains to communal spirituality?