LITURGICAL POSTURES

Mark Biolo

While attending Mass at a different parish I noticed that several people held hands during the Our Father. Is this correct?

This action became popular in the years following the implementation of the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council, though there has never been any liturgical directive providing for that posture. The theory behind holding hands is that the gesture affirms the spirit of love and community among worshippers. However, this is simply bad theology. The Our Father is not about community. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church (2777-2865) explains, this greatest of prayers is an act of adoration (emphasis added) of our transcendent Father, followed by seven petitions addressed to Him. This is why the celebrant extends his hands in praise and petition. But everyone "holding hands" does not reflect the meaning of this great prayer of adoration and petition. Holding hands is the wrong sign for this prayer because it is too "horizontal" and does not convey the sense of adoration or petition.

You may also be wondering about extending the hands (as the celebrant does) during the Our Father as this too is encouraged in some places. This gesture, called the orans posture, is usually considered a priestly gesture and should be reserved for the celebrant. The most appropriate posture for the praying of the Our Father is hands folded, fingers pointing up.

This may be a good time to review some of the other gestures we use in our celebration of the Mass that may be misunderstood or forgotten. One that comes to mind is the practice of bowing during the Creed at the words ". . .by the power of the Holy Spirit He was born of the Virgin Mary, and became Man." We will be making a considerable effort to bring back this simple but oft forgotten sign of reverence at St. Raymond’s.

The sign of peace has also been a source of confusion and in some places a source of disruption. The new General Instruction of the Roman Missal has this to say about the sign of peace: "It is, however, appropriate that each person offer the sign of peace only to those who are nearest and in a sober manner." Thus the practice of reaching over several people, let alone leaving one’s pew, is prohibited. The instruction is also clear that the priest should exchange the sign of peace with other ministers but should not leave the sanctuary. (There are some rare exceptions to this rule – consoling the family at a funeral and the presence of dignitaries in the front pew – but these are rare exceptions.)

Remember from our discussion on Holy Communion that the proper posture is one of reception, either on the tongue or in the hand. If Holy Communion is received in the hand, one open hand (left over right for right-handers) should be placed over the other. Always wait for the minister to place the host in the hand – do NOT reach for or take the host from the minister. Also remember that dipping the host in the Precious Blood is prohibited. The most appropriate gesture before receiving communion is a bow and the required response to the minister’s proclamation "The Body (or Blood) of Christ" is "Amen!" This simple affirmation of faith is an essential part of receiving Communion.

It is appropriate to genuflect anytime one passes in front of the Blessed Sacrament, even when it is reserved in the tabernacle. One should genuflect on entering the pew before Mass and upon leaving the pew at the conclusion of Mass.

Finally, silence seems to have lost its place in many parishes. Prayerful silence in preparation for receiving Holy Communion and in thanksgiving afterward should be practiced routinely. Out of respect and reverence for the Blessed Sacrament reserved in the tabernacle, silence should always be observed in church (except, of course, when liturgical celebrations dictate prayer and singing). Too often we forget where we are and ignore the physical presence of Our Lord. Perhaps it is true that our lives have become so noisy, so busy, that silence is actually uncomfortable for us. This is a phenomenon we must battle with all vigor! We must do our very best to bring the senses of awe and reverence, the sense of the sacred, of "fear of the Lord", back to our faith life. And we can start by simply maintaining prayerful silence in the church. We have a very nice gathering space, which is the ideal place for greeting and conversing. Once inside the glass doors, silence should be the rule.

Just a word or two about a couple of changes you will notice at Mass. First, in an effort to add greater solemnity to the proclamation of the Gospel, candle-bearers will accompany the priest or deacon with the Book of Gospels to the ambo. Second, will ring the altar bells at the point in the Eucharistic Prayer when Father invokes the Holy Spirit (called the epiclesis). This short ring of the bells is meant to alert us that something rather incredible is about to happen – bread and wine will become the Body and Blood of Christ!

Hope that clarifies a few things for you! ‘Til next time . . .