I kneel beforehand, and until time to receive Communion, but once I get back to my pew, I sit with my head bowed in reflection. It's what I was taught to do by the priest, and I don't feel the need to change because those around me kneel.

 

I understand where you are coming from, I was just explaining my own perspective on it. When I was an altar boy I was always taught to remain kneeling until the blessed sacrament is no longer exposed. As it is the transfigured host I feel it is the least I can do while there to kneel.

I understand where you are coming from, I was just explaining my own perspective on it. When I was an altar boy I was always taught to remain kneeling until the blessed sacrament is no longer exposed. As it is the transfigured host I feel it is the least I can do while there to kneel.

 

Oh, I know. I wasn't speaking about you or anyone on here. I get looks all the time at Church though from those who feel I'm being disrespectful or something.

Nothing may have been solved, but I do honestly think that many of us involved in the discussion grew in our respect and understanding of different facets of Christianity. I noticed a big difference in yourself as I did in myself after all was said and done.

Thank you, very nice. I was not a good person facing others who were not in my Religion, and I still to this day debate a certain religion daily, (They told me on the air I was going to Hell!) not Catholic. Growing up at home and work I had more Catholic friends than any type of religion, but I was very hard nosed, but not mean. Now my nose has soften a lot. The Apostle Paul also helped a lot with me.

In his decree Bishop Foys writes:

 

Special note should also be made concerning the gesture for the Our Father. Only the priest is given the instruction to "extend" his hands. Neither the deacon nor the lay faithful are instructed to do this. No gesture is prescribed for the lay faithful in the Roman Missal ; nor the General Instruction of the Roman Missal , therefore the extending or holding of hands by the faithful should not be performed.

 

How about the unfaithful?

When I was growing up we did not hold hands during the Lord's prayer, nor did we shake hands at the sign of peace. And it makes me very uncomfortable to do either to this day. And like PepRock, I kneel until the Eucharist has been put away.

I guess my memory is bad. When did we start shaking hands for Sign of Peace? I can't remember when we didn't.

We have never held hands during the Lord's prayer although to each his or her own; it doesn't bother me. I absolutely hate shaking hands for the sign of peace though. I guess that means it's ok for everyone else to touch each other; just don't touch me. LOL

We were also taught to stay kneeling not only until the Eucharist has been put away but to wait until the priest sits down as well. If he doesn't sit; you don't sit either.

Quoting things and people is always dangerous. Tom Fitzgerald doesn't work at the diocese as mentioned in the article, but Tim Fitzgerald does.

Silliness if you ask me. Don't get so caught up in the rituals.

Have always done so and will continue to do so with my family.

It's kind of like telling Baptist women not to bring desserts to the church pot luck.

I was at a Mass in Brooklyn. The people around me shook my hand during the Sign of Peace. They then threw the peace sign up to everyone else that they couldn't physically reach. That was a new one for me.

That's okay. I don't know your denomination, but the chances are pretty good that most Catholics would believe that a lot of your beliefs are wrong. No problem with that, to each his own.

 

Yep, I didn't mean that as confrontational as it probably looks, but we each follow our own beliefs because we believe them to e best and be the right ones.

I guess my memory is bad. When did we start shaking hands for Sign of Peace? I can't remember when we didn't.

 

The sign of peace started when I was in grade school, late 60's or early 70's. I remember a nun being less then thrilled that several of us at mass before school one morning gave the "peace sign" with our hands. A few days later a visiting priest did it from the altar. Talk about vindication.

The sign of peace started when I was in grade school, late 60's or early 70's. .

 

I don't have any memory of NOT shaking hands but RM's statement made me wonder.

 

RM must be really old.

I don't have any memory of NOT shaking hands but RM's statement made me wonder.

 

RM must be really old.

 

I don't think RM is as old as I am. While I have no memory of the full Latin mass I do remember when the Eucharistic Prayer was still said in Latin. I also remember when we used to respond "and with your spirit" when the priest said "the Lord be with you". What's old is new again.