Another Look at the Orans Issue

Catholic Exchange ^ | June 11, 2005 | Dr. Edward Peters

[NYer]

Orans is Latin for “praying.” In liturgy today, the “orans position” is the gesture whereby the priest extends his arms out from his sides, with hands open and facing up, during certain of his audible prayers at Mass.


The orans position (or sometimes, orante), is obviously different from the priest folding or joining his hands, and is prescribed for the celebrant at various points in Mass: for example, during the Opening Prayer, most of the Eucharistic prayer, and the Our Father. The “orans issue” is the recent practice of some lay persons in the congregation adopting this gesture as their own, notably during the Our Father, and introducing thereby, if nothing else, disunity in worship.

While the orans position has rich tradition in Jewish and even ancient Christian prayer life, there is no precedent for Catholic laity assuming the orans position in Western liturgy for a millennium and a half; that alone cautions against its (re)introduction without careful thought. More specifically — and notwithstanding the fact that few liturgical gestures are univocal per se — lay use of the orans gesture in Mass today, besides injecting some gestural disunity in liturgy, could be used by some to suggest a blurring of the differences between lay liturgical roles and those of priests just at a time when distinctions between the baptismal priesthood and the ordained priesthood are struggling for healthy rearticulation.

Since at least the mid-1990s, bishops, liturgists, and other observers have discussed the orans issue at Mass and possible ways to resolve it, including ratifying the gesture for lay use. These discussions (summarized in Adoremus Bulletin, November 2003) have been interesting as far as they go, but they seem not to ask the fundamental question: Namely, what is the orans position in liturgy for today? From insight into its contemporary liturgical purpose, presumably, one could formulate rubrics for its use. The orans issue is not one that congregations invented; rather some liturgical activists seem to have promoted it as a vehicle to advance an agenda. Still, I want to consider the further possibility that the current rubric calling for the priest to assume the orans posture during the Our Father might itself be misplaced and susceptible to confusion in the congregation.

When the Priest Prays Aloud and Alone

The first thing to notice in this matter is that, with the problematic exception of the Our Father, the orans position is prescribed for the priest predominantly when he is praying aloud and alone as, for example, during the Opening Prayer, the Prayer over the Gifts, and the Post-Communion Prayer. When, however, the priest is praying aloud and with the people, for example, during the Confiteor or the Creed, his hands are usually joined. In other words, when the priest is praying aloud and on behalf of a then-silent congregation, clearly exercising a leadership role, the orans posture being used then does not occasion congregational gestural imitation because the people are silent at that point in the Mass.

Conversely, though, when prayers are said aloud by the priest and people, the fact that the priest’s hands are joined during such prayers occasions — if anything by way of congregational imitation — the traditional gesture of joined or folded hands expected among the laity at Mass in the West. From these observations, it seems that the rubric calling for the priest to assume the orans position during the Our Father, in which prayer he joins the people instead of offering it on their behalf, is at least anomalous, and possibly inconsistent with the presidential symbolism suggested today by the orans position elsewhere in the Mass.

There remains to consider, though, how this miscue (if it is one) appeared in the liturgy. I suggest that originally, the orans rubric for the priest during the Lord’s Prayer was not a mistake, but that it quietly became one in the course of liturgical reforms undertaken by Pope Pius XII just prior to Vatican II.

A Case for Changing the Rubrics

The Our Father (Pater) has been a part of the Mass for many centuries. Over that time, of course, language barriers occasioned and rubric evolution reinforced the assignment of more and more prayers to the priest. Eventually, the Pater became a prayer that was offered by the priest on behalf of the people, whose exterior participation in that prayer was, by the early 20th century, limited to a vicarious one via the server’s recitation of the closing line, Sed libera nos a malo (But deliver us from evil). A look at the pre-Conciliar rubrics in any sacramentary regarding the Pater is consistent in showing the priest’s hands extended, that is, in an orans position, as one would expect for prayers the priest offers on behalf of the congregation.

But in 1958, as part of Pope Pius XII’s liturgical reforms, permission was granted for, among other things, the congregation to join the priest in praying the Pater, provided that they could pray in Latin (AAS 50: 643; Eng. trans., Canon Law Digest V: 587). Thus, for the first time in many centuries, a congregational recitation of the Lord’s Prayer was possible. Lay recitation of the Pater was not mandated, and there is no evidence that this limited permission for congregational recitation of the Pater occasioned awareness that such permission, if it was widely acted upon, might necessitate a change in the rubrics. By then, it seems, the orans posture and the Lord’s Prayer were associated, not with the manner in which the prayer was being offered, but with the prayer itself. From there, it seems, the orans rubric for the priest during the Our Father simply passed unnoticed into the new rite of Mass.

Today, of course, the priest is not praying the Our Father for the people the way he does several others prayers on their behalf in Mass, and in which prayers they participate by silent interiorization, marked by a vocal “Amen”; rather, the priest and people pray the Our Father together in Mass. Lay persons should not be imitating the priest in what seems to have become in the West a posture appropriate (in public liturgical prayer, anyway) to celebrants. But, if the above analysis is correct and the orans position has come to symbolize priestly prayer over the congregation instead of with it, then neither should the rubrics any longer call for the priest to extend his hands during the Our Father as if he is praying on behalf of the congregation. The rubrics should be changed to direct the priest to join his hands during the Our Father, as he does for other vocal prayers offered with the people. If Rome decides to do this, I think the orans issue might resolve itself quickly.

[NYer]

Edward Peters has doctoral degrees in canon and civil law. His canon law website can be found at www.canonlaw.info. The opinions expressed in this article are Dr. Peters’, but some of the ideas behind this analysis arose from bright students’ questions in his Liturgy & Sacraments classes.

[NYer]

Yet one more VCII indiscretion, dispelled.

[wagglebee]

Very interesting, thanks.

[Diago]

Secretariat for Parish Life   of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland   Living the Faith

 

 

Next Steps in the Diocese’s Implementation of the GIRM

Having completed the first phase of the Diocese's implementation of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal 2002 and the Norms for the Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion Under Both Kinds in the Dioceses of the United States of America, it is now important to outline our next steps.

Before all else, a word of enormous thanks to the many of you who have taken the time and energy to engage in the important work of catechesis set out by Bishop Pilla under the auspices of the Office for Pastoral Liturgy.

Happily, from what has been reported to us, where proper catechesis has taken place, a deeper appreciation of the meaning of the Communion Rite is developing. Reverence, singing and praying have been enhanced. The balance between the communal and personal has been restored.

Unhappily, some have reported to us that there are some pastors and other parish leaders who insist on insisting that the faithful do liturgical actions that are not prescribed by the GIRM, the Bishop, or the OPL. We urge great sensitivity in detailing what is in fact prescribed (bowing of the head before the reception of Holy Communion), what is suggested by the OPL (the orans at the Lord's Prayer as an alternative to holding hands at this prayer) and what is normative with a Vatican indult (standing during the Communion Rite is normative for the whole Church, but the indult permits an individual to choose to kneel or sit immediately after receiving Holy Communion. This decision or the person exercising this right, should not be belittled). We are engaged in people's faith lives, their religious sensibilities, as well as their training and traditions. Simply telling people that they have to grow up and get on with their lives is highly inappropriate. We know you know this, but it bears repeating nonetheless.

What happens next? In mid-February, you will receive the following:

·    An official set of norms governing the Communion Rite for the Diocese of Cleveland. It will clarify some questions that have arisen, e.g., standing at the Invitation to Communion (the Ecce Agnus Dei).

·    A survey (independent perhaps) by which we may ascertain how catechesis is being accomplished and what more we might do to help you.

·    Bulletin inserts that detail the implementation of the next two changes: the recitation of the Apostles' Creed during the Lent-Easter Season, and standing during the Orate Fratres (Pray, my brothers and sisters . . .)

·    Bulletin inserts that will help clarify some issues that have been raised:

·    The correlation of past and present practice ("I was always taught…")

·    The why of catechesis at this time

·    The communal and personal dimensions of Mass

·    The connection between interior dispositions and external gestures and postures and why such is significant

·    Liturgical History (There are very few immemorial traditions)

·    The question: "Why are we the only Diocese doing this? No other Diocese is doing what we are doing!"

May this work that has been begun be happily completed to the building up of the Church and God's greater glory.

 

 

 

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[bornacatholic]

While the orans position has rich tradition in Jewish and even ancient Christian prayer life, there is no precedent for Catholic laity assuming the orans position in Western liturgy for a millennium and a half; that alone cautions against its (re)introduction without careful thought

* The Mass of the Roman Rite Jungmann, S.J.

The principal posture (aside from the early period with its meal celberation) has always been a posture of standing. Before the higher Being whome he wishes to honor, a person stands erect, particularly when he realizes his obligation of service.AJust as the priest at the altar stands before God in reverential readiness, so also the faithful; they are the circumstantes. In line with this, it was an understood norm in olden times that the people followed the motions of the bishop or priest when he said prayers and, in general, all the rest of his deportment, so that like him they stood with hands uplifted and facing east. Standing was the ordinary posture of prayer even among ancient peoples, in fact, standing with uplifted hands and with eyes fixed in the direction of the rising sun. This posture of prayer was continued by the Christains, both people and liturgi together, with only thios variant; they saw in the orient sun whcih they faces, an image of the risen Christ...But later in the Middle Ages the bodily posture of the faithful grew more and more unlike that of the priest.....On Sundays and feast days...the standing position was retained. It was not until the eucharistic movement of the thriteenth century that any inroad was made here, namely, by kneeling at the consecration."

In a footnote, we read, It is precisely this passage from Ambrose that shows that the lifting of hands (following 1 Tim 2:8) was observed by the faithful especialy at worship...In Switzerland it was still customary in 150 for the faithful at high Mass to pray with arms outstretched from the Consecration to the Communion.

[Mark in the Old South]

I wonder if it is possible to incorporate the orans with liturgical dance without someone doing themselves a mischief.
=^D

[visualops]

In our parish, for the Our Father, the parishioners join hands (held up with palms up) and say it together. I was never comfortable with that, never having seen it before (but keep in mind my Catholic experience was only as a child and very limited). Anyway, when we went through RCIA we asked the seminarian teaching the class about this practice- he came right out and said it was not the way it should be done. He said the laity should pray the Our Father with hands together in prayer, not holding each others hands. He did say it's likely the practice was started when this particular church was more liberal (apparently it had been very liberal and when our current priest arrived he put an end to the nonsense- a certain number of parishioners left to go elsewhere since he closed the cafeteria), and that this was one of a few things that he let continue. Although I dare say it too may end, as since we've attended, the girl alter servers have disappeared, there are now guides to proper circumstances for taking Communion, more frequent Latin Mass, etc etc.
Anyway, our family at least do not hold hands during the Our Father.

[Salvation]

A couple at our parish (now moved to Washington, unfortunately) would just extend their hands out in front of them during the Our Father. We are praying to God in heaven so this would be a 'more correct' position to assume.

[visualops]

I think the seminarian included that as an option, the main point being holding hands or emulating the priest was not right.

[Frank Sheed]

The new Bishop of Charlotte, NC (his name escapes me) placed a PDF file on the Diocesan website that explained moment by moment the proper behavior at Mass with the appropriate GIRM highlighted and notitiae included if necessary. I got a copy from a colleague by email. I found it incredibly helpful. It distinctly precluded the Orans posture or the "lolly pop" hand hold and suggested that hands be "joined as in prayer before us." I wish all Bishops did this. I found it very, well, sheperdly!

This article makes a valid point. Perhaps the GIRM should be revisited with the priest having his hands folded in prayer.

Frank

[NYer]

The principal posture (aside from the early period with its meal celberation) has always been a posture of standing. Before the higher Being whome he wishes to honor, a person stands erect, particularly when he realizes his obligation of service.

Most interesting! In the Eastern Catholic Traditions, we stand ... a lot! After communion, some kneel but most choose to stand - a sign of reverence. (This is also demonstrated in the Latin Rite when we stand for the reading of the Gospel).

In our Maronite Church, we use the orans postion when praying the Our Father. Initially, I balked at the stance, attributing it to the post VCII liturgy. But then I realized that the Maronites do not follow the Novus Ordo; hence there must be some authenticity to this action. Still confused but following protocol :-)

[Fast Ed97]

Whether or not it is allowed by the GIRM or not, the position itself looks extremely silly.

[NYer]

He said the laity should pray the Our Father with hands together in prayer, not holding each others hands

The seminarian was absolutely correct! You are most fortunate to be in a diocese where things are beginning to turn around. Just for the record ....

5.2  Holding Hands during the Our Father

Holding hands during the Our Father has become commonplace, but it is an illicit addition to the Liturgy. Clarifications and Interpretations of the GIRM ["Notitiae" Vol. XI (1975) p. 226] explains:

". . .holding hands is a sign of intimacy and not reconciliation, and as such disrupts the flow of the Sacramental signs in the Mass which leads to the Sacramental sign of intimacy with Christ and our neighbor, Holy Communion." 

112. QUERY 2: In some places there is a current practice whereby those taking part in the Mass replace the giving of the sign of peace at the deacon's invitation by holding hands during the singing of the Lord's Prayer. Is this acceptable?

REPLY: The prolonged holding of hands is of itself a sign of communion rather than of peace. Further, it is a liturgical gesture introduced spontaneously but on personal initiative; it is not in the rubrics. Nor is there any clear explanation of why the sign of peace at the invitation: "Let us offer each other the sign of peace" should be supplanted in order to bring a different gesture with less meaning into another part of the Mass: the sign of peace is filled with meaning, graciousness, and Christian inspiration. Any substitution for it must be repudiated.

Is Your Mass Valid? Liturgical Abuse

[NYer]

A couple at our parish (now moved to Washington, unfortunately) would just extend their hands out in front of them during the Our Father. We are praying to God in heaven so this would be a 'more correct' position to assume.

That is the Orans position. And, according to the author of this article, a canon lawyer .....

"Lay persons should not be imitating the priest in what seems to have become in the West a posture appropriate (in public liturgical prayer, anyway) to celebrants. But, if the above analysis is correct and the orans position has come to symbolize priestly prayer over the congregation instead of with it, then neither should the rubrics any longer call for the priest to extend his hands during the Our Father as if he is praying on behalf of the congregation."

... which makes sense, right?

[NYer]

The new Bishop of Charlotte, NC (his name escapes me) placed a PDF file on the Diocesan website that explained moment by moment the proper behavior at Mass with the appropriate GIRM highlighted and notitiae included if necessary.

Bless him! I'll probably be dead before that ever happens here in Albany NY.

[Desdemona]

The argument I've heard for the orans possition is that it is an ancient one of prayer. In the current western context, it looks like priest envy, but there are a lot of people who subscribe to the theory that because this is an ancient practice we should do it. Of course, these are the same people who don't see anything wrong with distributing Eucharist to non-Catholics.

[visualops]

Immediately following the Our Father, the Deacon does call for "Let us offer each other...", so they didn't exchange it for holding hands fortunately.

[te lucis]

Whether or not it is allowed by the GIRM or not, the position itself looks extremely silly.

Precisely. That's exactly right. This alone is enough for any self-respecting Catholic not to even engage in this kind of stupidity. The whole crux of the "orans" issue is a further blurring of the distinction between the ppriesthood & the laity. Just knock it off.

Burping & farting during Mass aren't specifically forbidden by the GIRM, either.

[csbyrnes84]

Well what is practiced and what is the truth are often two different things.

The adoption of the Orans posture in many Eastern rite churches seems to be yet another Latinization or Hybridization of an Eastern Rite Church. I've never seen the Orthodox hold up their hands or insert a "peace be with you" into their liturgies, and this is because they are innovations.

The Maronites, out of all of the Eastern Rites, are notorious for playing follow the leader with the Latin Rite Church. (Don't the Maronites even have liturgy facing the people instead of towards the East?) While this attitude might not have been so bad in previous centuries where there was some sanity in the Latin rite, now that the Latin Rite is in a state of liturgical chaos, what sense does it make for Eastern Rite Churches to be adopting Novus Ordo customs?

[old and tired]

NYer, thanks for posting this article. Let me say up front that I don't like it when people raise their hands to God. I strikes me as disrespectful.

However, there are a couple of very good families in my Church who do the orans position at the Our Father, so I have gotten used to it.

I know this article was about it being incorrect, however, I guess I think if Jewish people did it, it does have some basis in tradition.