Applause after the last hymn...?

[VintageRose]

Awhile back, I noticed a new tradition that seems to have caught on at the closing of Mass in our parish. It is applause after the last hymn is sung. I don’t particularly care for this, so I don’t join in. The reason could be because I’ve no understanding of it. Is this a new trend…? If so, does anyone happen to know its origin…? Thank you for your thoughts…!

 

[Convert3]

I’ve noticed it at my parish too. It doesn’t bother me though. Too many other things to worry about in my life.

 

[CilladeRoma]

Mass is over when the priest or deacon has said “Mass has ended…” a recessional hymn is not part of Mass, technically.

That said, are they clapping for the music ministers? Or the ministers in general?
Maybe clapping to express gratitude for them sharing their time and talent to help others pray?
It does not happen at my parish, but I have been at ones where it does. I’m not particularly fond of the practice, but it doesn’t bother me.

 

[ioannes_pius]

They sometimes do this at my parish as well. It’s pretty cringe, but I don’t care anymore lol; I have no power to change it.

 

[Zach]

That’s how I feel. It used to bother me but clapping is common now at certain parishes throughout Mass so I’m used to it.

 

[SMHW]

It’s not something I am a fan of, but it’s not new.

It’s been going on since at least the late 70s/early 80s. It’s just taken a few decades to get to your parish.

 

[Lucy_1]

Drives me batty, but the people who do it mean well, so what can you do but shrug it off. It’s been going on for a long time.

 

[Rau]

It is applause after the last hymn is sung.

Generally speaking, I find it undesirable. Choirs and musicians are there to assist in the worship, not to entertain us as applause tends to imply.

There are occasions when the priest might suggest a show of thanks to the choir/musicians, and I think that’s the only time there should be applause.

 

[Camehome4john6]

I find it kinda cringie when it happens, and at our parish it’s usually only after a special Mass ( Midnight Mass or Easter Vigil) when the choir has worked extra hard, but it’s well meant, short-lived, and life goes on.

 

[Shasta-Rose]

We have applauded when we have had extra musicians join us for a “big” Mass, like the Easter Vigil. At the end, in the announcement section, Father would say, We were happy to have the Xxxx Yyyy Singers with us tonight–didn’t they give a beautiful contribution to the service? And we applaud as our way of saying, Yes–thanks, singers!

 

[rf9661]

I have seen this occur at a few parishes in my area, I generally abstain from it unless it’s being encouraged by the celebrant as an act of thanks and praise for the music minister’s work.
Another practice I heavily abstain from is clapping after the Homily… has anybody else experienced this?

 

[OldCAFMember]

Seen it sporadically over the past forty years, usually after Masses with special music.

 

[victrolatim]

I’ve been a cantor/choral singer for most of my life. I’ve never personally liked applause as a musician or as a lay person in the pews. As a musician performing as part of the liturgy I consider it my offering of service to enhance the liturgy and not as a stage performance. This is why I’ve always personally preferred a choir loft to some other arrangement near the front of the church. I’m not there to draw attention to myself. I’ve had people come up to me while leaving Mass to compliment or thank me which I’m much more in favor of. That being said, this is only one basso’s opinion. As said before the recessional is outside of the mass, so I wouldn’t think polite applause after is that egregious. What I take issue with is outbursts of applause/announcements during the Mass before the dismissal. I feel like celebrants are afraid if they do them after the dismissal before the recessional people are going to run for the hills. They do that anyway.

 

[byzpilgrim]

There should be no clapping. I believe this was discussed in an earlier thread if it helps.

Clapping after Mass Liturgy and Sacraments

Is it just my parish or do others clap for the cantor and choir at the conclusion of the Liturgy? Why would we do such a thing as the choir is part of the liturgy and not meant for entertainment? Any thoughts??..

 

[OraLabora]

Should is a long way from must. Let’s
Face it human nature and the herd instinct are hard to overcome. If the congregation spontaneously applauds, there’s nothing much that can be done. The pastor could always say “please stop” or inform them of a new “rule” to not applaud, but he’ll come across as a wet blanket. Not a great way to connect with your parishioners.

Even at the very conservative Benedictine abbey where I usually attend Mass, people applaud after the organ recital. The organist (either the abbot or the choirmaster) just smiles back at them.

In their wisdom they’ve decided it’s not a hill to die on.

 

[Timeflies2me]

Every mass Ive gone to has had this. I always thought this was normal. It isnt canon thats for sure, but you could say its a little t tradition in alot of these places.

 

[MagdalenaRita]

I, actually, see this rarely. There is one parish in my area that has applause after Mass, but that is it. Once in a great while our priest may say applaud the choir but that is usually at the holidays. The other times I see applause if someone gives some type of announcement after Mass. That’s it.

As many people who are saying they see it alot makes me want to pray it doesn’t spread any farther.

 

[pmankow]

I think it is rude. Same for people who carry on a conversation in the pews, although whispering, people who bring food in crinkly wrappers for their kids, loud heavy toys, talking in the back of the church before Mass… All of the things that take away from people trying to pray and prepare themselves for Mass or pray after Mass. I just don’t understand the mentality… it’s like the people at work who tap their feet, whistle, etc… Didn’t someone tell you when you were a child to not do theses things?

 

[JimR-OCDS]

When I played guitar and sang with a group at Mass, the congregation applauded after every Mass.

Of course our church is small, holding just 170 people when completely full, which it usually was when we played

I didn’t mind as people were just showing their appreciation that we volunteered to play. We had a month of no music until the bass player drafted me to lead the group.

I eventually retired and the group that followed us, didn’t get much of an applause and that’s all I’ll say.

 

[MagdalenaRita]

I think it is rude. Same for people who carry on a conversation in the pews, although whispering, people who bring food in crinkly wrappers for their kids, loud heavy toys, talking in the back of the church before Mass… All of the things that take away from people trying to pray and prepare themselves for Mass or pray after Mass. I just don’t understand the mentality… it’s like the people at work who tap their feet, whistle, etc… Didn’t someone tell you when you were a child to not do theses things?

I completely agree. At my job, I need to include the blowing and popping of bubble gum while others are working.