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

Corpus Christi Watershed

“A much greater source of anxiety to Us is the style of action of those who maintain that liturgical worship should shed its sacred character, who foolishly say we should substitute for sacred items & furnishings ordinary common things in daily use.” —Pope Saint Paul VI (14 Oct 1968)

  • Donate
  • Our Team
    • Our Editorial Policy
    • Who We Are
    • How To Contact Us
    • Sainte Marie Bulletin Articles
  • Pew Resources
    • Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal
    • Jogues Illuminated Missal
    • KYRIALE • Saint Antoine Daniel
    • Campion Missal, 3rd Edition
    • Repository • “Spanish Music”
    • Ordinary Form Feasts (Sainte-Marie)
  • 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
  • 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

    “Music List” • 15th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I prepared for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (13 July 2025). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and propers for this Sunday are also provided at the the feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    This coming Sunday—13 July 2025—is the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). All the chants have been conveniently assembled and posted at the feasts website. The OFFERTORY, Ad Te Levávi, is particularly beautiful.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Music Director Job • $80,000 per year
    Our readers will be interested in this job offering for Music Director at Saint Adalbert’s Basilica, located 40 minutes from where I live. My pastor was recently elevated to this basilica. He is offering $80,000 per year, plus benefits. I’m told Saint Adalbert’s Basilica is utterly gorgeous and contains one of America’s most magnificent pipe organs. It would be fantastic to have a colleague nearby!
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Pope Pius XII Hymnal?
    Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Hybrid” Chant Notation?
    Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Antiphons Don’t Match?
    A reader wants to know why the Entrance and Communion antiphons in certain publications deviate from what’s prescribed by the GRADUALE ROMANUM published after Vatican II. Click here to read our answer. The short answer is: the Adalbert Propers were never intended to be sung. They were intended for private Masses only (or Masses without music). The “Graduale Parvum,” published by the John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music in 2023, mostly uses the Adalbert Propers—but sometimes uses the GRADUALE text: e.g. Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“The chants of the Proper of the Mass—that is, the Introit, Gradual, Offertory, Communion—in sung Masses may be chanted in the vernacular to melodies legitimately approved.”

— Statement (20 April 1964) by the Consilium, the group Paul VI put in charge of inventing the New Mass

Recent Posts

  • “Music List” • 15th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
  • Worship the Lord in Holy Attire
  • “How to Conduct 90 Vespers Services Each Year and Live to Tell the Tale.”
  • 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
  • The Tallis Scholars

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.

The election of Pope Leo XIV has been exciting, and we’re filled with hope for our apostolate’s future!

But we’re under pressure to transfer our website to a “subscription model.”

We don’t want to do that. We believe our website should remain free to all.

Our president has written the following letter:

President’s Message (dated 30 May 2025)

Are you able to support us?

clock.png

Time's up