The Our Father QUESTION from Shirley O'Connor November 21, 2000 Recently I went to Mass with a friend of mine while visiting her in Ottawa. It was a beautiful charismatic Mass. I could feel the presence of Jesus so closely. However, I did feel uncomfortable when everyone held hands at the Our Father.
I was not sure if, previously (as in months or years ago), the Priest had instructed the people to do this; if so, being a visitor, I did not want to offend him or anyone else, or show any signs of disrespect.
I thought that I had read somewhere that it was not in the rubrics, therefore it was not to be done.
Could you please enlighten me and give me the documentation to which I can refer.
Thank you so much once again for your help and may God richly bless you!
ANSWER by Mr. John Miskell on December 4, 2000 Dear Shirley,
The Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship has made an official declaration regarding this practice.
. . .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. [Notitiae Vol. XI (1975) p. 226] In Christ,
John Miskell
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