[NYer]

I thought the Vatican had condemned the so-called "orans" posture as usurping the priest's role.

Really? Do you recall when this happened? In our Maronite Church, we use the orans position when saying the "Our Father".

Frankly, I find all of these prescriptions most confusing and tiring. Some abuses are simply obvious, like liturgical dance during the Mass or the absence of a crucifix on or near the altar. Lol ... that latter one brings back anxious memories. Prior to leaving my former parish, I spent hours discussing this GIRM instruction with our pastor. We had one of those Risen Christ statues on the wall of Sanctuary but nothing to conform with the GIRM's instructions with regard to a crucifix. Recently, my pastor happened to visit my former parish (post wreckovation) and I inquired about all of the issues that drove me away. He was struck by the "small crucifix". Really... where? On the back wall of the Sanctuary. So, after all those discussions, the pastor finally caved! However, they moved the Tabernacle into a separate room that remains visible via a glass window. I told Father that on Sundays I would sit as close as I could get to the Tabernacle, seeking to be in the presence of our Lord. Now that it has been moved, I can only imagine the increased acrimony I would have experienced, had I remained there.

I never understood my former pastor's 'fear' of the Crucifix. He would bring it out during Lent and once in September when the Feast of the Holy Cross just happened to fall on a Sunday. Otherwise, it was kept hidden in a closet or locked up in a back room. Abouna, always conscious of respecting other priests, took great pains to explain 'resurrection theology' to me. Those priests like my former pastor, who practice this, place greater emphasis on the Resurrection than on the Passion. That reminded me of one conversation with the former pastor about the Crucifix. He said to me: "Jesus was only on the cross for 3 hours but is risen forever". At the time, my jaw dropped in total shock. Thanks to my current pastor, I now have a much better understanding of where the former one was coming from. Mercifully, my Abouna keeps us focused on the redemptive value of the Cross and Christ's Passion. Thank you, Lord, for delivering me to him! This is the Maronite approach.

[AnAmericanMother]

I could be wrong. It's one of those "I read it somewhere, can't remember where" things.

I do know that hand-holding is a no-no. Sometimes I wind up in a fuzzy bunny parish and the people next to me try to SNATCH my hands for the Our Father. I fold my palms together and try to look like I'm praying VERY hard . . . it's just creepy to me to hold hands with perfect strangers when I'm trying to pray to God . . . .

[Convert from ECUSA]

"He was struck by the "small crucifix". Really... where? On the back wall of the Sanctuary. So, after all those discussions, the pastor finally caved! However, they moved the Tabernacle into a separate room that remains visible via a glass window. I told Father that on Sundays I would sit as close as I could get to the Tabernacle, seeking to be in the presence of our Lord. Now that it has been moved, I can only imagine the increased acrimony I would have experienced, had I remained there."

Sad that your former pastor seems ashamed of the Crucifix and the Tabernacle. I've seen similar things at some "parishes" when I've travelled. NYer, you left for the Maronites just in time!

[netmilsmom]

>> Really? Do you recall when this happened? In our Maronite Church, we use the orans position when saying the "Our Father".<<

In the Latin Rite churches, it is a priestly gesture.