Prayer Minister Training 19 July

The laying on of hands is a deeply biblical and sacramental gesture, rooted in the ministry of Jesus and the early Church. While it holds a formal place in the sacraments of ordination and confirmation, it also finds expression in the life of the laity—especially those called to serve in prayer ministry.

For lay Catholics, this ministry is not about assuming clerical roles, but about being instruments of Christ’s love and healing. When done with humility, discernment, and under the guidance of the Church, the laying on of hands becomes a powerful act of intercession and solidarity. It is a way of saying: You are not alone. Christ is here with you.

In the Catholic Charismatic Renewal and other prayer settings, lay people may gently place hands—often on the shoulder—while praying for healing, peace, or the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This is not a sacramental act, but a gesture of service, rooted in love for our brothers and sisters. It is always Christ who heals, consoles, and transforms; we are simply the vessels.

This ministry is about facilitating an encounter with Jesus—not through our eloquence or power, but through our faith, compassion, and willingness to be present. As St. Teresa of Ávila reminds us, “Christ has no body now but yours”

The laying on of hands becomes a visible sign of the invisible grace God longs to pour out upon His beloved children.