Question 3 Answer

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Last week’s answer (Question #2) along this week’s answer can best be understood based on the priest celebrant’s unique role, which sets him apart from the roles of everyone else at Mass. First and foremost, the ministry of the priest is so intimately connected to the Mass that we know there can be no Mass without the priest.  At his priestly ordination, he became an “alter Christi”, another Christ, who stands between God and humanity to offer prayers on behalf of the entire Body of Christ, the Church.  The priest “stands in for Christ” as he leads us from the opening Sign of the Cross until he sends us forth.  At certain times of the Mass we visually see his unique role when he raises his hands with palms turned outward and arms outstretched.  This gesture is called the “orans” position, and it is required of the priest celebrant at specific times of the Mass.  When are these designated times?  At the Opening Prayer; at the Prayer over the Gifts of bread and wine (offertory); during the Preface dialogue and Preface (the prayers leading to the Holy Holy Holy); during the Eucharistic Prayer; during the Lord’s Prayer; and at the Prayer after Communion, before the final blessing.

During these times it is only the priest celebrant who prays aloud in the “orans” position, except during the Lord’s Prayer, when the congregation audibly joins him.  The congregation does not assume the “orans” position at any time during the Mass, since it is reserved solely to the priest.  That means, no other ministers in the sanctuary, including the deacon(s), raise their hands in the “orans” position either.  Truly, this is unique to the priest celebrant’s role.

Thus, the answer to Question #3 is:

a.  Hold hands with others
b.  Imitate the priest celebrant with the Orans hand position (arms extended with palms turned upward and open)      
c.  Put hands together in prayer, palm-to-palm, in imitation of the deacon (when he is present at the altar)