body played a central role in the shaping of the pray-er’s orientation to God and the world. Body posture, direction, breathing, the use of a rosary and incense to stimulate the bodily senses of smell and touch, the movement of the lips, the laying of hands, the rhythm of words, gesturing, bowing, hand-clasping, the closing of eyes, the signing of oneself, the finger gestures of the benediction (which, of course, encode particular Christological perspectives), the denial of the body through abstinence
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