Gestures

When we all respond during Mass with, "And also with you", everyone lifts their hands. I've heard it said, however, that our gestures are not supposed to match those of the priest. Are we not supposed to lift our hands when we respond to "Peace be with you"?

I am not an expert, but here is my understanding.

There is no rule against it, but it is not indicated that this is what should be done. Thus this is an innovation. It is not called for in the missal, so I do not have to do it. I think it is best to avoid innovations - the mass is not something to be tinkered with. Personally, I find it irritating and distracting. I sometimes wonder if people mean what they say/sign.

I think this is what we should have expected to happen when rituals get eliminated (as happened during the silly season of the 70's and 80's). People seek ritual, so they fill the gap with new ritual.

I agree with RobK. Well said.

Thanks! I've always enjoyed doing this but have questioned whether I should be doing so that last few times. I'm a bit disappointed that it's not called for but I agree that innovations should be avoided. I suppose I may stop doing it, but the last time I didn't do it, I wondered if it might be viewed as rude or disrespectful.

I was never taught to do that and don't do it. Haven't really payed attention to what the other members of the congregation are doing.

This issue is brand new to me.
I've only been a Catholic for a year, and everywhere I go to mass, people do this and so I do it too.
For me, everything that has to do with mass is close to my heart. My participation comes from my heart, including the gestures, replies, and postures. That's all I know, until my priest tells me something different.

Amber,

What you're referring to is the "orans" posture. It is a posture rubrically prescribed for *the priest.*

Though the GIRM does not *forbid* this posture, neither does it forbid standing on your head during Mass.
It was always just a given that the people knew not to do it.

Here's a link from a while back addressing the issue. It may shed some light for you:

http://www.adoremus.org/1103OransPosture.html

The prescribed posture for the faithful during "Lift up your hearts" and the Lord's Prayer is *standing*. Had the Church wanted the congregants to assume a priestly orans position, she would have said so, as when she says, for instance: At the words "And was made man", a genuflection or profound bow is made" (NO ONE does this much anymore, by the way, and yes, it is STILL in effect), and "At the words "Through my fault", strike the breast there times." The Church will *always* tell you what position or posture to assume.

I know that this posture is very common in protestant churches, so I can see why it would be a confusing matter. Think of Protestant churches as Jackson Pollack. Think of the Church as Paint By Numbers.

And yet another "gesture" we are supposed to do, but many do not these days is at the start of the Gospel reading...from the GIRM, paragraph 134:

134. At the ambo, the priest opens the book and, with hands joined, says, Dominus vobiscum (The Lord be with you), and the people respond, Et cum spiritu tuo (And also with you). Then he says, Lectio sancti Evangelii (A reading from the holy gospel), making the sign of the cross with his thumb on the book and on his forehead, mouth, and breast, which everyone else does as well.

I know when I was young I saw people doing this but didn't myself until I actually found out we are supposed to and was explained that it basically means - Keep The Word always on my mind, on my lips, and in my heart. The GIRM doesn't say this is the meaning, so does anyone else know if this is true, or not?

More specifically, the prayer is, "May the Word of the Lord be on my mind, on my lips, and in my heart."

I do this at Mass and have taught my kids to do the same. Before my kids caught on, I did this for them.

Bill,

Yes, this is what my mother taught me as well re: the meaning of it, though that may be an anecdote.

I was unaware that this practice had been abandoned in places!