Holding Hands

[mamalove]

Just something that's been bugging me lately. Does everyone hold hands during the Our Father now? If this is a new practice instituted by the Church, I think I missed that one. Its always seemed kinda hokey to me. Any thoughts?

[allis-challmers]

I personally am not very fond of it. I don't think that there is any definate why it is suposted to be said. but like I said in my opinion I don't care for it

[dUSt]

I don't usually hold hands except with my daughter and wife. It disrupts me from meditating on the Holy Eucharist.

[mamalove]

I guess I just don't understand what the whole point of it is.

[cappie]

:group:
In the Italian translation of the Roman Missal there is the rubric that one can extend their hands with palms uplifted during the Lord's Prayer but in no verion of the Missal is their anything about holding hands. I think it is revolting!!!!! :angered:

[Thy Geekdom Come]

It's a tradition that was brought in by Protestant converts. Some members of the Vatican have spoken out against it, but those who have the most authority have not, so it has fallen on deaf ears...

I almost forgot, I don't like it. It seems to hokie (redneckish...) to me. We should primarily show our unity through the Eucharist, not through holding hands, and at such a high point in the Mass, it should be clear that our Eucharistic unity is what holds us together.

Edited March 30, 2004 by Raphael

[qfnol31]

Actually the USCCB has something posted on their site about holding hands during the Pater Noster (Our Father).

[url="http://www.usccb.org/liturgy/q&a/mass/orans.htm"]http://www.usccb.org/liturgy/q&a/mass/orans.htm[/url] :

...the Bishops’ Committee on the Liturgy expressed a strong preference for the orans gesture over the holding of hands since the focus of the Lord’s Prayer is a prayer to the Father and not primarily an expression of community and fellowship.

It's actually a page dedicated to us holding our hands in the Orans position, but does briefly make this last statement.

I personally find it distracting. It's horizontal and not vertical. Plus, the "sense of community" is false (as was once stated by the Church). I've been in many situations where people won't stand up with me when I say something the Church teaches, but most people find controversial in our society. In this sense I really wonder how "one" we are while holding hands...dunno, just my thoughts.

[Joseph]

It is somewhat distracting sometimes...the holding of strangers' hands. I have noticed that the hand-holding tends to be the norm at every mass no matter what Church I have attended in my first year of being Catholic. I think most people don't know any different and think it is what we are supposed to do during the Our Father.

[Colleen]

Holding hands at Mass is distracting and it makes me uncomfortable. It almost takes away the sacredness of the situation. I don't do it, and if someone next to me seems like they're going to, I ... pretend I don't see them.

[immaculata]

I really don't like holding hands during the Our Father, but I get sucked into it by all the sweet little old ladies in the choir..

When I'm not in the choir, though, I prefer to keep my hands folded. The orans or semi-orans position is just as distracting to me.

[hermit]

[quote name='Raphael' date='Mar 29 2004, 09:45 PM'] It's a tradition that was brought in by Protestant converts. Some members of the Vatican have spoken out against it, but those who have the most authority have not, so it has fallen on deaf ears...

I almost forgot, I don't like it. It seems to hokie (redneckish...) to me. [/quote]
Don't care fot it myself, but I put up with it...

The thing that really gets me is we don't have Offeratory Bells any more because their to distracting

I think your right, it was something that got started to make our Protestant Brothers and Sisters feel more at home, just like the Risen Christ in front of a cross instead of a Cruxifix....Don't really know how to feel about it, But I do know I miss alot of the old ways...

God Bless...........hermit

[WCC_Catholic]

what is with the holding of the hands out like the priest does doing the our father that makes me think of prostesnt is that only me or what?

i dont mind the holding hands with my fam and that is about it

Sarah Marie

[WCC_Catholic]

[quote name='hermit' date='Mar 29 2004, 11:20 PM'] Don't really know how to feel about it, But I do know I miss alot of the old ways...

[/quote]
i miss them too it was like one day i walked in church and it was all different i was shocked

[popestpiusx]

I agree with cappie. It is revolting and pisses me off to no end. I flat refuse to do it. It is extremely rare for me to attend the Novus Ordo, and even more rare for me to attend one where they try this carp, but on very rare occasions it has happened. I simply fold my hands and close my eyes and ignore anyone around me during that prayer.

Either that or I sneeze really loud and with lots of drama right into my hands before the person next to me reaches for my hand. That changes their mind. Just joking. I don't, but I have thought about it. It would be quite funny.

In any case, it never comes up where I go to Mass each Sunday. I like that.

[Ellenita]

Is it something peculiar to the church in the US?
We don't do it in my church, but then we're so 'reserved' in the UK, we're still working out how to give each other the sign of the peace without looking embarressed!!