Applause after recessional hymn

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I don’t remember this being a thing until the last decade or so. Does anyone else notice the same thing?

I refuse to do that. Feels like something you’d see and do at the theatre and not Mass. Hopefully this is discouraged but so far it hasn’t been for some reason,
 
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It is not a thing anywhere I am in Choir. Our organist will usually start playing Bach, if there are no youngsters wanting a practice on the Pipe Organs.
 
“Wherever applause breaks out in the liturgy because of some human achievement, it is a sure sign that the essence of liturgy has totally disappeared and been replaced by a kind of religious entertainment.”

– Cardinal Ratzinger
 
It happens sporadically all over the place for decades. Usually it is not “discouraged” because
  1. it’s after the Mass has ended;
  2. by the time the recessional hymn ends, about 1/3 of the church has already emptied out and another 1/3 of the church is busy talking with their friends in the aisles; and
  3. when applause happens it’s often for a youth music group, another ensemble group, the choir, etc, and throwing cold water on the efforts of a group of volunteers by saying “No clapping” is declasse, especially in view of 1) and 2).
Don’t look for it to be “discouraged” any time soon unless you are attending a very strict trad parish.
 
That was my thought, though he does specifically refer to entertainment. We will occasionally have a applause for occasions like the pastor’s anniversary. We don’t applaud the music, thanks be to God. I would hate that.
 
It’s happened a few times when I was at church. I don’t care, I’m a big picture person. If it happens, no big deal.
 
snarflemike said:
“Wherever applause breaks out in the liturgy
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Again, it’s not “in the liturgy”. The Mass ended when the priest said “The Mass is Ended” and the congregation responded. Most people will also stay until the priest and others serving the Mass have processed off the altar, which generally completes during the recessional hymn. By the time the recessional hymn ends, the liturgy has been over for several minutes.

Or longer if the choir, organist etc play a post-recessional. Music heads will stay to the end of that and sometimes clap although by then there tend to be so few people left it’s not a loud noise. I generally will stay to the end, but not clap.
 
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Wherever applause breaks out in the liturgy because of some human achievement, it is a sure sign that the essence of liturgy has totally disappeared and been replaced by a kind of religious entertainment.Such attraction fades quickly – it cannot compete in the market of leisure pursuits, incorporating as it increasingly does various forms of religious titillation.- Pope Benedict XVl
 
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I have only been to a few places that have had clapping after the recessional hymn. Usually this is for a big event such confirmations or ordinations, which is understandable.

I have only been to one parish where the congregation regularly applauds the choir. As someone who is involved music and sings in choirs myself, I find it to be tacky. It’s the Mass, not a concert.
 
I’ve never known that to be a thing in 56 of going to Mass. I don’t think it will take off organically because it just feels ‘off’.
 
Tis_Bearself said:
Usually it is not “discouraged” because
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To add to the list: Determining the motivation of the people clapping is impossible unless you ask them personally. They might be applauding the choir for a good performance. They might also be doing it because it is a natural reaction after a major celebration, which the Mass is. Assuming misplaced priorities is kind of uncharitable.
 
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At least they wait until the Mass is over. I’ve been to a Mass where there was applause after Communion. The priest was putting the hosts in the Tabernacle and applause broke out for the Cantor.
 
Tis_Bearself said:
It happens sporadically all over the place for decades. Usually it is not “discouraged” because
  1. it’s after the Mass has ended;
  2. by the time the recessional hymn ends, about 1/3 of the church has already emptied out and another 1/3 of the church is busy talking with their friends in the aisles; and
  3. when applause happens it’s often for a youth music group, another ensemble group, the choir, etc, and throwing cold water on the efforts of a group of volunteers by saying “No clapping” is declasse, especially in view of 1) and 2).
Don’t look for it to be “discouraged” any time soon unless you are attending a very strict trad parish.
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#2 is why I participate in the practice. I have no idea why others do it, but I applaud those who stay to finish the prayer of the Mass.

Don’t get me wrong, I have no problem with people who have to get going because of one thing or another, we live busy lives, I get it. But I feel many leave just because they feel they’ve done their duty & don’t need to bother.

Yes, after reading my reply I realize I have issues I need to sort out.
 
I’ve seen it happen fairly often when a children’s choir finishes a (usually badly done) communion meditation. No “the Mass is ended” get-out-of-jail card there.
 
This is nothing new. I remember them doing this at church when I was a kid, 45 years ago. By no means was it after every mass, but usually if the the music (choir, organ, folk mass) was something special, as opposed to what we usually had which was pretty middle of the road.
 
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ZMystiCat said:
They might be applauding the choir for a good performance.
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The Mass is not a concert performance, even if Ode to Joy is sung. The Mass/Liturgy is the Sacrifice of the Altar.

I guarantee that no one was clapping on Calvary.
 
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God created the wood in the pews too. I should at least be good to them. 🙂
 
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