…Can one do a proper Hail Mary (the stereotypical penance for small sins) without the use of one’s hands?
If not, what adjustments are made for people without arms?
Yes.
I’m not sure why that’s even an question. Rosary beads are not required, nor is making the sign of the Cross.
“Proper” Hail Mary?
What is one required to do with one’s hands?
As an ex-Catholic I’m intrigued.
Thanks. I don’t know a darned thing, (that’s obvious) and I thought the rosary thing might be necessary.
Are you thinking of praying the Rosary? AFAIK, the “Hail Mary” is a prayer, which may be said aloud or silently, no arms required. Praying the Rosary means praying sets of prayers (usually the Apostles’ Creed, the Hail Mary, the Our Father and the lesser known Glory Be To the Father) using beads in your fingers to count your prayers, much like Tibetan prayer beads. One can say all the prayers without the beads, the beads just help keep count. (And give you something to do with your hands.)
Is the full Hail Mary, or the one you say when falling from a truck?
Miss ya, George.
Why, throw the football far downfield, of course.
As a Catholic, I can assure you that no one has successfully complted a Hail Mary without the use of both arms and legs in conjunction.
(Go Notre Dame!)
Once again, wikipedia comes to the rescue:
Nothing in there about hands, arms, or, for that matter, penance. For those looking for the typical western Hail Mary prayer:
Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee;
blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
I think I just found another difference between Irish and Roman Catholics.