The Creed (from Credo, meaning "I believe"), also known as the Profession of Faith, comes in two versions: (1) the Nicene Creed, which has been used at virtually all Masses on Sundays and Solemnities up until now, and (2) the Apostles' Creed, which is used when praying the Rosary and other similar devotions. (An exception is when the Nicene Creed is replaced by the question and answer form of the Profession of Faith that is part of the renewal of baptismal promises at Easter.)

Another word for ‘creed’ is ‘symbol,’ from the Greek word symbolon, meaning "token of identity." In the present context ‘symbol’ refers to "an authoritative summary of faith or doctrine." The Symbol of Christian faith that comes to us from the Councils of Nicaea (a.d. 325) and Constantinople I (a.d. 381) — usually called simply "the Nicene Creed" — is the form most widely used throughout the Christian churches of both East and West, both Catholic and non-Catholic. The "Symbol of the Apostles" or Apostles' Creed, also very ancient, is less widely known among Christians generally, and is used more exclusively in the Western, that is, Roman Catholic tradition.

In 1973 the Vatican gave permission for the Apostles' Creed to be used in place of the Nicene Creed at Masses with Children, in part because the Apostles' Creed is shorter and somewhat simpler in language. The new Missale Romanum of 2002 has given general permission for the "baptismal symbol of the Roman Church, the so-called Symbol of the Apostles" to be used at Mass in place of the Nicene Creed. It also notes that this substitution is especially appropriate during the seasons of Lent and Easter.

The Roman Church has a long tradition of these two forms of the Profession of Faith. Traditionally the Apostles' Creed was used in connection with the sacrament of Baptism, and the Nicene Creed with the sacrament of the Eucharist. Now at any Mass in which the Profession of Faith is to be sung or recited, pastors are free to choose either the Nicene Creed or the Apostles' Creed.

The new General Instruction and Missale Romanum say virtually nothing about the posture of the faithful during the praying of the Lord's Prayer, apart from the direction that the people are to stand. Nor is there any specific instruction concerning a gesture to be made during that prayer. In other words, the faithful are not instructed or even invited to stand in any particular way, nor to adopt any particular position of the hands, such as the orans (open hands either lifted at about eye level in the shape of a ‘Y’ or held at one's sides at waist level with palms upward), nor is there any explicit directive or prohibition concerning other local customs, such as holding hands with one's neighbors.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops apparently considered making a request to the Vatican for an adaptation that would unify the posture and gestures of the faithful during the praying of the Our Father, but in decided not to make that request. They did not want to legislate one gesture to the exclusion of others. In short, it seems that the decision is to be made locally, perhaps even by each individual.

The practice of holding hands during the praying of the Lord's Prayer has been in place at Saint Joseph's for quite a few years. Custom carries considerable weight in the Catholic Church, particularly in the arena of our public worship; for this reason, it does not seem right to tell people now that they may not hold hands during the Our Father, especially since nothing in the written law prohibits that gesture.

At the same time, apart from local custom there are no grounds for insisting that persons must hold hands during the praying of the Lord's Prayer. I do not believe that a pastor by himself has the authority to impose upon the faithful a specific posture or gesture that is not required either by general legislation or by the diocesan bishop.

Consequently, we are left in a kind of liturgical "limbo" on this point. As pastor, I can neither require nor prohibit the holding of hands during the Our Father at Mass.

What I propose is this: each person should do as he or she feels most comfortable. Holding hands is a beautiful sign of community, but it is also a gesture that makes many people feel uncomfortable. I ask that out of love and respect for one another, we give each other the space to act according to what seems best to each individual.

(1) Our unity as a family of faith during the praying of the Lord's Prayer is primarily (and sufficiently) expressed by our common posture of standing and by our reciting (or chanting) of the Lord's Prayer with one voice.

(2) Those who wish to hold hands with the person or persons next to them may certainly continue to do so, as an optional and additional expression of oneness.

(3) Those who would prefer not to hold hands should feel free not to do so; they should not be pressured into doing what is not expressly dictated by law.

(4) Those comfortable doing so may pray with their hands lifted in the classical orans position, or with a modified orans, hands at waist level with palms upward.

(5) Because our unity is primarily expressed in our standing and praying aloud together, no one should consider another's reluctance to hold hands as an expression of disunity or a lack of charity. That would be a case of judging our neighbor.

The individual exchange of a sign of peace among the faithful has always been, and remains, an option in this sense: the priest celebrant (or deacon) may invite the people to offer one another a sign of peace. (In other words, there may be occasions when the priest or deacon does not give that invitation; this is usually intentional, and it is allowed.) If the invitation to exchange a sign of peace is given, then the members of the congregation really should greet those nearest them with some appropriate gesture. The General Instruction, however, does not dictate what gesture must be used, leaving that detail to local custom. The gesture recommended by the USCCB is the shaking of hands, since that gesture is so common in our western culture.

Again, there are some people who for various reasons are uncomfortable shaking hands during the Liturgy. The same basic principals enunciated above concerning the holding of hands should apply to the greeting of peace. Ordinarily, one may offer one's hand: if on occasion our offer of a handshake is declined, we should graciously settle for the words, "Peace be with you," or with even a wordless nod and a smile.