One more: how about nixing the "let's hold hands during the Lord's Prayer?" What's so Christian about holding hands with a runny-nosed kid, and no access to the washroom for another 20 minutes?
Our priest actually told us a couple of years back to cease holding hands. Some of the old timers refuse to listen though. It's just a silly AmChurch habit that is not in the GIRM.
Just fold your hands or hold your rosary with both hands and don't put your hands out.
If anyone should say anything just answer that the gesture (holding hands) was not approved in the GIRM.
You are not obligated to hold hands during the Lord's prayer. There is no prescribed position for the hands during the Lord's prayer. However, a priest (or other members of the Parish) would be in violation of Canon law for mandating it (it would then be an introduction of a rite by an unauthorized person).
see: http://www.ewtn.com/library/Liturgy/zlitur10.htm
There are good arguments against it as well (we are not really unified as a community until AFTER communion, but holding hands implies unity before communion). I generally do not participate in hand holding, except with my wife (since we are of one flesh in te eyes of the church).
One more: how about nixing the "let's hold hands during the Lord's Prayer?" What's so Christian about holding hands with a runny-nosed kid, and no access to the washroom for another 20 minutes?
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I hear ya'! I was discussing this with another poster on another thread. I NEVER hold anyone's had during the Our Father. I just keep my hands together in prayer, and they get the message.