Applause during Mass

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Hello SARABANDE

There is nothing wrong with applause where there is a time and place for it.

Its not so much of why people are inclined to clap but in keeping with our Roman Catholic Tradition.

How many people appluaded when Jesus had his last supper?

**Mass is the most sacred act of worshiping on the planet **Its and actual audience with God himself.

Aplauding members of the faithful is self gratification.

I found a wonderful website catholicmass.org/english.html
listen to the audio commentary (The music on this site is very inspirational)

Matthew 6 says it best

Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

2"**So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues **and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 3But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

5"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
9"This, then, is how you should pray:
" ‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
11Give us today our daily bread.
12Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.[a]’ 14For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

16"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 17But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Treasures in Heaven
19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Lord have mercy on us
 
Hello SARABANDE

There is nothing wrong with applause where there is a time and place for it.

Its not so much of why people are inclined to clap but in keeping with our Roman Catholic Tradition.

How many people appluaded when Jesus had his last supper?

**Mass is the most sacred act of worshiping on the planet **Its and actual audience with God himself.

Aplauding members of the faithful is self gratification.
Hi! I’m sorry that you have misunderstood what I wrote in my two posts and that I obviously did not make myself clear, so you’re preaching to the choir here. 😛 I actually do not like or want applause at mass and explained why in my first post in detail, so I won’t go into again here. Feel free to read it again if you wish.

In my second post I wanted to be clear that although I do not believe applause is appropriate or right at mass, I also did not judge nor were upset with those that did it, mainly because I believe that most people who do that kind of thing just don’t know any better. It’s unawareness and sometimes a Pavlov response for these people. I was just trying to explain why I think some people in parishes don’t understand or know any better when it comes to applause during mass in my second post. I’ve had to stop my father from applauding my organist friend after mass. I knew he did it because he heard others do it (typical Pavlov response that many of us take part of at various times) and also because he wanted to show how much he appreciated the spiritual beauty of the music my friend made. But when I explained to him why we shouldn’t applaud and how my friend actually did not want the applause since it brought him out of prayer and because it places the ego into the prayer, he totally understood and agreed with me.

Also, in regards to the biblical passage you posted, this is one of the reasons why most of my musician colleagues, including myself, prefer to not be seen, if possible due to how some churches are made, when we are rendering the music for the liturgy. In some ways this is why I like doing the funerals and weddings in the older churches because I can be in the loft, unseen and not a distraction in the front. I can give of myself to God and the prayer offered to Him without being up front, and thus separate my physical being from the sacred music being created. It’s one of the reasons why I love hearing our choir from the loft. You don’t focus on the people but on the prayer and the angelic voices as if they were coming from heaven.
 
Sarabande

Come oh blessed of my father come to the kingdom prepared for you.

I apologise it wasnt meant as a rebutle but as reiteration of your post.

A clearer look if you will.

May God Bless you and your family

Russell
 
Sarabande

Come oh blessed of my father come to the kingdom prepared for you.

I apologise it wasnt meant as a rebutle but as reiteration of your post.

A clearer look if you will.

May God Bless you and your family

Russell
LOL! My apologies as well for misunderstanding your original post. God bless you as well. 🙂
 
Things have settled somewhat in the last year or two but my parish has been bad for this. By bad I mean that it has happened more than once. Three priests have encouraged it.
The worst case I’m aware of was after a rather rousing recessional hymn the audience began applauding and someone even let out a whoop! :eek: :eek:
Is clapping common in most OF parishes?
 
I hate clapping in Church…I have seen it at my parish a few times in New York…
 
I am sorry and don’t mean to be rude, but can clapping not be a good thing? Granted, these instances listed are probably not spontaniously lead by the Spirit, but who knows. I believe feelings of great joy brought on by the presence of the Holy Ghost are acceptable in the Mass. Hence ppl may clap at times in church. Sorry if I’m confusing anyone.

Are there not Charismatic Masses? Is this the only Mass where the Spirit is allowed to work. So maybe before we are so quick to judge a “Whoop”, or applause after a hymn we should think. Maybe we are trying to limit the Holy Ghost in His movment by saying these ppl are being disrespectful.

God bless,

Jesse
 
The Spirit is certainly present when He brings about the Body and Blood of our Lord upon the altar.

Clapping tends to be a celebration of ourselves and an approval of a ‘performance’. None of these things are appropriate in the Sacred Liturgy.
 
I suspect a great number of Catholics will be applauding during at least one Mass in their parishes next weekend, when we observe Catechetical Sunday.

excerpts from the USCCB’s “Commissioning Service” for catechists:
This ceremony for the blessing and commissioning of catechists is intended to take place at the Eucharistic liturgy on Catechetical Sunday. If this is not possible, the blessing and commissioning may be celebrated at Mass at another time, or it may be used outside of Mass, perhaps with the praying of the Liturgy of the Hours or at a simple commissioning service. The rite of blessing that follows is from the Book of Blessings, chapter 4, section I, “Order for the Blessing of Those Appointed as Catechists.”…
… After the prayer of blessing, each catechist may be presented with a Bible, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and/or a certificate of commissioning. If desirable, the congregation may signify its support by applause, an acclamation, or an appropriate hymn.
This applause has nothing to do with religious entertainment, nor is it focused on human achievement (the catechists are just getting started in their service in the catechetical year, and haven’t achieved anything yet). This applause is an act of sharing in the celebration of the catechists’ “yes” – it is an appropriate acclamation, and is approved by the U.S. bishops. It is included in the “Order of Blessing Within Mass” in the Book of Blessings, which is approved for use in the dioceses of the U.S. by the U.S. bishops and is confirmed by the Apostolic See.

*(“never say never”). *
 
Are there not Charismatic Masses? Is this the only Mass where the Spirit is allowed to work.

How do you get better contact with the Holy Spirit than through the Body and Blood of Christ?

So ALL Masses are “Charismatic masses”.

However, both St. John Chrysostom and St. Augustine refer to people applauding during their sermons.
 
I suspect a great number of Catholics will be applauding during at least one Mass in their parishes next weekend, when we observe Catechetical Sunday.

excerpts from the USCCB’s “Commissioning Service” for catechists:

This applause has nothing to do with religious entertainment, nor is it focused on human achievement (the catechists are just getting started in their service in the catechetical year, and haven’t achieved anything yet). This applause is an act of sharing in the celebration of the catechists’ “yes” – it is an appropriate acclamation, and is approved by the U.S. bishops. It is included in the “Order of Blessing Within Mass” in the Book of Blessings, which is approved for use in the dioceses of the U.S. by the U.S. bishops and is confirmed by the Apostolic See.

*(“never say never”). *
Not so fast.

Applause is still celebrating a human achievement, and it’s still inappropriate at Mass.

The text you quoted is in fact not “approved by the US Bishops” and not approved by the Holy See, although it’s easy to come to that conclusion because of how the text is presented–and I certainly understand how one could easily be misled here. You see, source you referenced took the actual commissioning service from the Book of Blessings (an approved text) and altered it. What you read was not the text approved by the bishops and having the recognition of Rome. The genuine approved text does not have any place for applause.

Unfortunately, we see a lot of changed proposed to the Church’s liturgy by people who have no legitimacy in doing so. By taking the official text, altering it, then making it available in publications and webpages, but without presenting it to the US bishops for a vote, this avoids the “inconvenience” of having those changes approved by Rome–which is necessary for any changes to the Church’s own liturgical texts. They also conveniently avoid telling the reader that they’ve changed the rite.

If you read the actual Book of Blessings (which I assure you I did before typing this), you’ll not find any provision for applause.
 
I am sorry and don’t mean to be rude, but can clapping not be a good thing? Granted, these instances listed are probably not spontaniously lead by the Spirit, but who knows. I believe feelings of great joy brought on by the presence of the Holy Ghost are acceptable in the Mass. Hence ppl may clap at times in church. Sorry if I’m confusing anyone.

Are there not Charismatic Masses? Is this the only Mass where the Spirit is allowed to work. So maybe before we are so quick to judge a “Whoop”, or applause after a hymn we should think. Maybe we are trying to limit the Holy Ghost in His movment by saying these ppl are being disrespectful.

God bless,

Jesse
Jesse,
As a future Catholic, you need to understand that the Charismatic movement does not have any ability to make its own changes to the Mass (even though that’s what most people experience at so-called “charismatic Masses”). So in reality, there are no “charismatic Masses”–there are simply Masses which happen to be attended by people who call themselves Charismatics or Pentecostals.

Also, we have to make a distinction between the true and authentic working of the Holy Spirit on the one hand, and on the other hand people who simply do whatever they please and make the *claim *that they’re doing what the Spirit inspires.

Clapping has no place in the Mass. The Mass is a solemn and dignified Liturgy of the Church. Clapping belongs in its proper context when it’s appropriate to celebrate or recognize some human achievement but it is completely in conflict with proper liturgy.
 
FrDavid96, thanks for your insight. Ok, couple of questions then.
Question one. Cluny, or whomever will answer, can the Spirit not move with and apart from the Body and Blood? I always though that it could and does.
Question two. I know I’m getting picky here, but can clapping or applause not be for the human element of the Mass, rather for the Spirit itself or its direct work?

I know when I was a baptist, many used to joke about the pentecostals “speaking in the spirit”. But I once had someone tell me you shouldn’t do that because where most may be doing such just for show. The Spirit may use an individual in such a way. That’s the one I really wouldn’t want to be making fun of. Point being, can you be absoultly sure that this person that’s doing something you think is out of place, is doing so purely for appreciation of self or man made accomplishment? If so, then have at it.

I am not saying all clapping or applause is ok though. Probably shoulda said that in first post.😃 Anyways, thanks for replies and answers.

God bless,
Jesse
 
It seems that the congregation at my parish takes any hint to burst out into applause during Mass. During the last Sunday Mass I attended, I 4 instances of applause; a new EMHC was announced at the beginning of Mass;;;applause; after a Missionary gave his homily with the obligatory request for funds—applause; after some announcment at the end of Mass and before the final sign of the cross–applause; after the final song was sung/played (after the final sign of the cross)–applause…I’m thinking that only the last instance is justifyable.
Today, I was at the Mass for “Rite of Admission to Candidacy” in the Deacon Formation Program. My brother is a Candidate. After the Candidates and Acolytes went through “The Rite of Admission” and “Institution to the ministry of Acolyte” Everyone stood up and clapped. Right before Mass ended Bishop Zubik, “The Bishop of Pittsburgh” introduced the new head of the Deacon Program, everyone stood and clapped. Yes. I am happy for the Candidates to advance forward and for a new full time position in the Dioecesis. Is it proper to clap when the final blessing has not been given and the closing Postlude has not been finished? The Principal Celebrant and Homilist for the Mass was Bishop David A. Zubik.
 
FrDavid96, thanks for your insight. Ok, couple of questions then.
Question one. Cluny, or whomever will answer, can the Spirit not move with and apart from the Body and Blood? I always though that it could and does.
Question two. I know I’m getting picky here, but can clapping or applause not be for the human element of the Mass, rather for the Spirit itself or its direct work?

I know when I was a baptist, many used to joke about the pentecostals “speaking in the spirit”. But I once had someone tell me you shouldn’t do that because where most may be doing such just for show. The Spirit may use an individual in such a way. That’s the one I really wouldn’t want to be making fun of. Point being, can you be absoultly sure that this person that’s doing something you think is out of place, is doing so purely for appreciation of self or man made accomplishment? If so, then have at it.

I am not saying all clapping or applause is ok though. Probably shoulda said that in first post.😃 Anyways, thanks for replies and answers.

God bless,
Jesse
Just by way of explanation:

To your first question, no. Because it is the Holy Spirit Who inspires the Church to compose the rubrics for the Mass. Unless we have a Holy Spirit Who contradicts Himself, then the answer is necessarily no. If the Holy Spirit wanted clapping at Mass, He would have inspired the Church to put that into the rubrics long ago. That’s not to say that the Spirit operates the printing presses, or holds the pens, but it is to say that since clapping is a contradiction of the most basic principles of liturgy–focus on God not ourselves, worship not recognition, and above all order not chaos–if we were to add such a contradictory element then the Holy Spirit’s revelation and inspiration has been a falsehood, and we will have to start everything all over again. I for one am not willing to go there. Some have, and history is filled with such examples.

Question 2: see answer 1.

“Whenever applause breaks out in the liturgy because of some human achievment, it is a sure sign that the essence of liturgy has totally disappeared and been replaced by a kind of religious entertainment.”

Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger
Pope Benedict XVI

So unless the Holy Spirit is telling us that He has been misleading us for nearly 2000 years and has suddenly decided to correct the mistake, and make the Mass about “religious entertainment” clapping is still inappropriate.

As for speaking in tongues (so called) remember that St Paul himself warned us against such things. He realized way back then that people were doing this just to entertain themselves and others, and he warned that no one should speak in tongues unless there is someone there to interpret. The same holds true today. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding–not the spirit of babbling. There is good reason why the Church presents on Pentecost the reading of the Tower of Babel (built with selfish motivation) and the first Pentecost. Lack of understanding and harmony (expressed by the punishment of babbling) is the opposite of the gifts of Wisdom, and Understanding (each one heard in his own language) which goes hand in hand with the Church built by God.
 
Applause is allowed in the Rite of Ordination for priests #266 (bold added by me):
In the dioceses of the United States of America, all present give their assent to the choice by means of a sung or recited acclamation, such as, Thanks be to God, or by other suitable words. The assent may also be be given by means of an action, for example, by applause or by all standing.
 
Applause is allowed in the Rite of Ordination for priests #266 (bold added by me):
Before these 2 threads were combined, we already discussed that part.
No, there is no applause in the Rite of Baptism. The congregation might “sing a short acclamation” and there are 12 options for these in the Rite itself. Applause is not one of those options. See RCIA # 359.

The times that applause might occur in the Liturgy can indeed be counted on the fingers of one hand. In fact, only one finger is needed.

The only time applause can licitly occur within the Mass is at an ordination Mass when the congregation expresses it’s support (and historically, it’s approval) of the ordinand.
 
Not so fast.

Applause is still celebrating a human achievement, and it’s still inappropriate at Mass.

The text you quoted is in fact not “approved by the US Bishops” and not approved by the Holy See, although it’s easy to come to that conclusion because of how the text is presented–and I certainly understand how one could easily be misled here. You see, source you referenced took the actual commissioning service from the Book of Blessings (an approved text) and altered it. What you read was not the text approved by the bishops and having the recognition of Rome. The genuine approved text does not have any place for applause.

Unfortunately, we see a lot of changed proposed to the Church’s liturgy by people who have no legitimacy in doing so. By taking the official text, altering it, then making it available in publications and webpages, but without presenting it to the US bishops for a vote, this avoids the “inconvenience” of having those changes approved by Rome–which is necessary for any changes to the Church’s own liturgical texts. They also conveniently avoid telling the reader that they’ve changed the rite.

If you read the actual Book of Blessings (which I assure you I did before typing this), you’ll not find any provision for applause.
The source is on the USCCB website.
 
The source is on the USCCB website.
Yes, it is.

But it is not in the Book of Blessings, and it is not in any text approved by the conference of bishops and/or having the approval of Rome.

This is what you wrote:
This applause is an act of sharing in the celebration of the catechists’ “yes” – it is an appropriate acclamation, and is approved by the U.S. bishops. It is included in the “Order of Blessing Within Mass” in the Book of Blessings, which is approved for use in the dioceses of the U.S. by the U.S. bishops and is confirmed by the Apostolic See.
The point I’m making here is that the text you see on the webpage is an example of someone taking something from an approved text, altering what’s been approved, and then distributing that information to the public but in such a way that it has the *appearance *of being approved, when in actual fact it is not.

Read the Book of Blessings. The relevant pages are 161 to 169. (in my blue “study edition”) The text which you posted is not there. It just doesn’t exist. Most of the text is in the BB, but there is no provision for applause–this is someone else’s addition.

I do not at all find any fault with you posting the text, because you were working from the information you were given: someone else gave you the wrong information in a way that caused you to be under the impression that the text was taken from the Book of Blessings.

I do wish that you would open the Book of Blessings and see for yourself that the text isn’t there. Don’t just take my word for it, or anyone else’s (not even a webpage).
 
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