Should We Hold Hands During The Lord's Prayer?

Описание: As Catholics, we are united in faith and in prayer, especially during the Holy Mass. One of the most sacred moments is the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer.

You may have noticed that some people fold their hands, some hold hands with those next to them, and others lift their hands in the orans posture. But what is the appropriate gesture during this universal prayer?

The orans posture, with hands outstretched, is a traditional priestly gesture during the Lord’s Prayer. It signifies offering up our prayers to God.

For the laity, the General Instruction of the Roman Missal does not specify a particular hand gesture during the Lord’s Prayer. The common practice is to stand with hands folded in prayer, reflecting our personal conversation with the Father.

What about holding hands? This practice became widespread in many Catholic parishes during the 1970s, '80s, and '90s, following the liturgical renewal after the Second Vatican Council.

While holding hands can be a sign of unity, it’s not prescribed by the Church’s liturgical guidelines. The debate around this topic has been lively. Some feel that holding hands enhances the communal experience, while others prefer the solemnity of individual prayer.

The debate also touches on the concern that laypeople should not adopt gestures reserved for the priest, such as the orans posture, and that holding hands during the Lord’s Prayer can be seen as an echo of this posture.

The emphasis is on maintaining a distinction between the common priesthood of the faithful and the ministerial priesthood.

In some places, local customs and clarifications from bishops have influenced the practice. For example, in the Philippines, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference has stated that both clasped hands and extended hands in an upward position are acceptable during the praying of ‘Our Father’ in Holy Mass.

In recent times, some parishes have discouraged the practice of holding hands during the Lord’s Prayer due to health concerns. This is to prevent the spread of diseases and to protect the well-being of the congregation.

This reflects a level of flexibility and acknowledges the diversity of expressions within the universal Church.

Ultimately, your choice of posture should be one that helps you enter more deeply into prayer, respecting the traditions and guidelines of your diocese.

Whether you fold your hands, hold them with your neighbor, or lift them up, remember that the Lord’s Prayer is a moment of profound connection with God and with each other.

Let us embrace this prayer with reverence and unity in our hearts. And don't forget to subscribe to our channel for more videos. Have a blessed day.

#catholic #prayer #ourfather #thelordsprayer #jesus #god #priest