Dear Catholic Exchange:
At the Mass, when saying the Our Father what are the Instructions for the faithful on the position of the hands?
Sincerely,
Danuta
Dear Danuta,
Peace in Christ!
The liturgical instructions and rubrics of the Roman Missal have no prescription for a gesture of the assembly during the Lord’s Prayer. There was discussion of implementing an orans posture (elbows down and bent, hands shoulders distance apart, palms up), in part to displace holding hands, but no changes were made.
With regard to liturgical law, if something is not foreseen, it is not allowed. Thus, the celebrant should not initiate a gesture for the assembly. On the other hand, spontaneous gestures are certainly permitted within reason.
United in the Faith,
Eric Stoutz
Information Specialist
Catholics United for the Faith
827 North Fourth Street
Steubenville, OH 43952
800-MY-FAITH (800-693-2484)
Editor's Note: To submit a faith question to Catholic Exchange, email faithquestions@catholicexchange.com. Please note that all email submitted to Catholic Exchange becomes the property of Catholic Exchange and may be published in this space. Published letters may be edited for length and clarity. Names and cities of letter writers may also be published. Email addresses of viewers will not normally be published.
