>Since hearing this story, I have often found myself wondering how many
>liturgical gestures have a similar, practical origin.
In my own church there is a lady called Marie who sits at the front in a
wheelchair.
After receiving communion, everyone shakes her hand.
Marie once explained to me the origin of this custom. There was once
another lady, since deceased, very shaky on her legs, who used to totter up
for Communion. Marie, being positioned nearby, would reach out her hand to
steady her.
The other parishioners, misinterpreting the gesture, all began to shake
Marie's hand too. In this way liturgy is created.
Oriens.
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