• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

  • Donate
  • Our Team
    • Our Editorial Policy
    • Who We Are
    • How To Contact Us
    • Sainte Marie Bulletin Articles
    • Jeff’s Mom Joins Fundraiser
  • Pew Resources
    • Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal
    • Jogues Illuminated Missal
    • Repository • “Spanish Music”
    • KYRIALE • Saint Antoine Daniel
    • Campion Missal, 3rd Edition
  • MUSICAL WEBSITES
    • René Goupil Gregorian Chant
    • Noël Chabanel Psalms
    • Nova Organi Harmonia (2,279 pages)
    • Roman Missal, 3rd Edition
    • Catechism of Gregorian Rhythm
    • Father Enemond Massé Manuscripts
    • Lalemant Polyphonic
    • Feasts Website
  • Miscellaneous
    • Site Map
    • Secrets of the Conscientious Choirmaster
    • “Wedding March” for lazy organists
    • Emporium Kevin Allen
    • Saint Jean de Lalande Library
    • Sacred Music Symposium 2023
    • The Eight Gregorian Modes
    • Gradual by Pothier’s Protégé
    • Seven (7) Considerations
Views from the Choir Loft

Is the ‘Orans’ Position Disobedient? • Re: the Congregation’s Posture during the Lord’s Prayer

Jeff Ostrowski · October 19, 2024

HE OFFERTORY ANTIPHON for tomorrow—which is the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time—comes from Psalm 118: Levábo manus meas ad mandáta tua, quae diléxi. Translated into English, that means: “I will lift up my hands towards your commandments which I love.” Increasingly, I’ve observed people attempting to scold Catholics who raise their hands (a.k.a. use the ‘orans’ position) during the OUR FATHER at Mass. We can assume the scolders have good intentions, but I feel such rebukes are inappropriate. Please allow me to explain why I feel this way.

Their Basic Argument • When it comes to people who make memes like this and like this, the basic argument they put forward is twofold. First of all, they point out that no rubric commands this. Therefore, since no rubric commands it (according to their argument), doing it is wrong and must be condemned. Secondly, they point out the rubrics sometimes call for the CELEBRANT to assume the ‘orans’ position. Therefore (according to their argument), people who use the ‘orans’ position during the OUR FATHER are guilty of priesthood simulation (i.e. “pretending to be a priest”).

Sordid History • There were no ‘rubrics’ for the faithful for hundreds of years. Indeed, attempting to micromanage the congregation has a rather sordid history. It began in the 1940s with the LITURGICAL COMMENTATOR, who stood at the pulpit and talked (“ran his mouth”) all throughout the Mass. Monsignor Robert A. Skeris explained such things—in his inimitable way—to Mother Angelica during a legendary 1998 ETWN appearance:


Here’s the direct URL link.

Beautiful Gesture • The ‘orans’ position is how the early Christians prayed. According to Father Peter Gee, it indicates “surrender” to God’s holy will. If someone points a gun at you, what do you do? You raise your hands. During the OUR FATHER, we’re supposed to pray: May Thy will be done. In other words, we’re supposed to surrender to God’s will.1

The ‘Correct’ Answer • Some Catholics are highly educated; others are not. Some Catholics possess a lengthy attention span; others do not. Some Catholics are disabled; others are not. Some Catholics are responsible for taking care of small children during Mass; others are not. The ‘traditional’ way allows each Catholic to pray at Mass as he wishes. It’s really nobody else’s business! While it’s true that no rubric tells the congregation to use the ‘orans’ position, it’s also true that no rubric tells the congregation to breathe air. Nor is there any rubric forbidding it.

Conclusion • It’s difficult for me to see how members of the congregation using the ‘orans’ position during Mass is harmful. The strongest argument against it—in my humble opinion—would be: it’s not really our tradition. On the other hand, I’m not sure anyone really cares what I think about this matter. Do you agree with my position, or do you disagree? I’d welcome your thoughts.

1 Unfortunately, many people say “Thy will be done” but actually mean “may my own will be done.”

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Father Peter Gee FSSP, Monsignor Robert Alex Skeris, Not a gesture for the laity, ORANS POSITION during Our Father Last Updated: October 20, 2024

Subscribe

It greatly helps us if you subscribe to our mailing list!

* indicates required

About Jeff Ostrowski

Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004). He resides with his wife and children in Michigan. —(Read full biography).

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Typo in the “Missale Romanum” (1962)
    The 1962 MISSALE ROMANUM was a transitional missal. It was on its way to becoming the 1970 version, but wasn’t there yet. It eliminated certain duplications, downplayed the Prayers at the Foot of the Altar, expanded the role of laymen, minimized the Last Gospel, made many items optional, and so forth. Father Valentine Young spotted many typos in the 1962 MISSALE ROMANUM, especially incorrect accents. The Offertory Antiphon for this coming Sunday (OF kalendar) contains an error, citing the wrong verse from Psalm 118. It should be 118:107b, not 118:154. If you read verse 154, you’ll understand how that error crept in. [In this particular case, the error pre-dates the 1962 Missal, since the 1940s hand-missal by Father Lasance also gets it wrong.]
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Music List” • 30th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 26 October 2025, which is the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the top-notch feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Little Encouragement?
    In the Gospel, our Savior tells about 10 lepers who were healed. Only one went back to give thanks. Precious few express gratitude, yet many have endless energy to complain. For that reason, I deeply appreciate receiving messages like the following, which arrived a few days ago (about the parish where I direct in Michigan): “Last Sunday, a couple I knew from Grand Rapids was at Mass at 10:00 a.m. I got a chance to talk to them after Mass. I wanted to let you know what they said about the choir. They were absolutely floored by our sound!!!!! They both said they could continuously listen to our choir and the beauty of it. They asked me: “Do you always sound like that?” And they were also very surprised at how packed the church was. They said it was nice for them to be in such a full church. I just thought you would be interested to know their thoughts about our choir.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “Our Father” • Musical Setting?
    Looking through a Roman Catholic Hymnal published in 1859 by Father Guido Maria Dreves (d. 1909), I stumbled upon this very beautiful tune (PDF file). I feel it would be absolutely perfect to set the “Our Father” in German to music. Thoughts?
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“The sacrificial death of Jesus Christ the High Priest on Calvary is and will remain the basis for the active participation of the faithful in the liturgy. Membership in the Church, which is brought about by valid baptism, makes one a part of the Mystical Body of Christ, THE PRIEST, to whose priesthood one is interiorly conformed through the baptismal character.”

— “Divini Cultus Studium” (Dr. Robert A. Skeris, 1990)

Recent Posts

  • Typo in the “Missale Romanum” (1962)
  • “Music List” • 30th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
  • “Our Father” • Musical Setting?
  • Little Encouragement?
  • Children’s Repertoire • Mueller’s Recommendations

Subscribe

Subscribe

* indicates required

Copyright © 2025 Corpus Christi Watershed · Isaac Jogues on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to exploring and embodying as our calling the relationship of religion, culture, and the arts. This non-profit organization employs the creative media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.