Open Hands
Graces given freely, a welcome to all, or prayer offered to God with arms raised.
Lowered: grace given. Our Lady of Grace stands as St Catherine Labouré saw her in 1830, her arms lowered and her open hands pouring rays of grace on the earth.
Held out: welcome. Christ the Redeemer and the Sacred Heart hold out their hands to all who come to them.
Raised: prayer. In the catacombs of Rome, early Christians painted figures praying with arms raised and hands open, called orantes, “those who pray”. The priest still prays the prayers of the Mass with his hands held out this way.
Where you’ll see it
Hands and gestures
All symbols →
The Blessing Hand
Christ, or a priest in his name, giving God’s blessing; the raised fingers recall the Trinity and the two natures of Christ.
Joined Hands
Prayer and humble trust in God, the hands placed together as a promise of faithfulness.
The Pointing Finger
Showing the way to God: John the Baptist pointing to Christ, the preacher pointing to heaven.
A statue with open hands?
Every statue is made from scratch in our studio in Mangalore.