Question 206 – Is it appropriate to hold hands during the Our Father?

Interview Organization: The Confraternity of Our Lady of Fatima
Interviewer Name: Christopher Wendt
Date: July 13, 2023
I believe such practices invade a person's privacy during prayer and public worship. It can feel inappropriate, almost infantilizing, and overly charismatic. While it might be acceptable in a private family setting, it detracts from the sacredness and solemnity of Holy Mass, undermining its objective character as public worship.
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Transcript:

I don't think so, because it invades the privacy of a person who is in the church praying and holding hands. It is an objectively unworthy expression of public worship. It comes across as something like a kindergarten scene almost a kind of infantilism and exaggerated charismatism.

I repeat, it invades the privacy of a worshipper during public worship. In your family, you can do this around the table at home with the father, mother, and children in an informal setting. But during Holy Mass, it should not be done. It undermines the objective, sacred character of public worship.