To the Sentinel:
The practice of some people holding hands during the Our Father is a source of distraction and disunity. Redemtionis Sacramentum explains why this and other practices instituted on personal inclination disunite rather than unify: “The Mystery of the Eucharist ‘is too great for anyone to permit himself to treat it according to his own whim, so that its sacredness and its universal ordering would be obscured.’ Anyone who acts thus by giving free reign to his own inclinations, even if he is a priest, injures the substantial unity of the Roman Rite.
It is the Catholic community’s right that the celebration of the Most Holy Eucharist should be carried out for it in such a manner that it truly stands out as a sacrament of unity. (People have hit me attempting to hold my hand.)
“Catholic people have the right that the Sacrifice of the Holy Mass should be celebrated for them in an integral manner, according to the entire doctrine of the Church’s Magisterium.”
In his wish to see hand-holding established as the norm, Charlie Young (Letters, June 13) seems to ignore these guidelines. There are places for instituting what one wants during a religious service. They are called Protestant churches.
Yes, all want to feel welcome. The Church sets guidelines to foster this but not necessarily in accordance with Mr. Young’s whims and inclinations nor mine.

Ed Kelly
Harbor