Applausing in Mass

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Please don’t post complaints about any liturgy/ordained/parish. You may ask questions about the liturgy and the sacraments, but please don’t complain about what you saw or heard. Don’t post negative comments about what the Church allows, Complaint/negative threads/posts will be removed. Thank you, everyone, for your understanding and cooperation.
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I think sending an email or call of “thanks” to the music director, Priest, person in charge of the lectors, etc. would be much more fitting. I have done this more than once when I have been to a Mass that had really connected me to God. I believe others in our Parish do the same. I think that is a better way of showing appreciation, that does not disturb the solemnity of the Mass.

I think the only time we have clapped at my Parish is when someone is Baptized and welcomed into the Church, but only very very special occasions. I have been to a church that did clap at the end of their Mass for the praise band (it was a church that had Mass following a day retreat that my wife and I attended). I bolted out of that church as fast as I could after Mass, and ended up attending my church the next day (Sunday) to put my mind at ease again. I know I shouldn’t feel this way, but the disrespect for a prayerful atmosphere really got on my nerves and interrupted my usual connection that I have with God when praying at Mass.
 
Let’s see what Cardinal Ratzinger, our beloved Pope Emeritus, had to say about the matter:

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liturgy because of some human achievement, it is a sure sign that the essence of liturgy has totally disappeared and been replaced by a kind of religious entertainment.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.

– The Spirit of the Liturgy
 
porthos11 said:
Let’s see what Cardinal Ratzinger, our beloved Pope Emeritus, had to say about the matter:

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liturgy because of some human achievement, it is a sure sign that the essence of liturgy has totally disappeared and been replaced by a kind of religious entertainment.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.

– The Spirit of the Liturgy
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👍 Thank you!
 
porthos11 said:
Let’s see what Cardinal Ratzinger, our beloved Pope Emeritus, had to say about the matter:

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.

– The Spirit of the Liturgy
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I love Pope Emeritus.
 
Pope Emeritus Benedict was applauded at his final Mass as pope.

I’ve been to a Mass where the congregation applauded the communion hymn. That is entirely inappropriate. But thanking people for their service is fine. I don’t think it’s necessary every week but I think an ugly vestment would bother me more. If you’re bothered by it, you’ve got it too easy. #firstworldproblems.
 
porthos11 said:
Let’s see what Cardinal Ratzinger, our beloved Pope Emeritus, had to say about the matter:

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.

– The Spirit of the Liturgy
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Thank you very much for posting this!
 
johnmann said:
Pope Emeritus Benedict was applauded at his final Mass as pope.
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As I recall, he looked embarrassed and pointed at the altar crucifix, as if to say “Not me, Him!” An entirely appropriate response. (Or maybe that was one of his Masses earlier that week.)
 
porthos11 said:
Let’s see what Cardinal Ratzinger, our beloved Pope Emeritus, had to say about the matter:

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.

– The Spirit of the Liturgy
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Yes, but aren’t we speaking about applause at the end of Mass, not during it? I don’t see that your quote applies.
 
paperwight66 said:
Yes, but aren’t we speaking about applause at the end of Mass, not during it? I don’t see that your quote applies.
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Fair point. Then perhaps all announcements and applause should be saved for AFTER the “Ite Missa est.”
 
If I can channel the spirit of Pope Emeritus Benedict, I would say he’s talking about applause that literally “breaks out” during Mass. E.g., applauding a hymn. I could be wrong but I don’t think he had in mind applause of appreciation during announcements.
 
Pope John XXIII visited my parish, Regina Pacis, in Lido di Roma a suburb of the capital. Once he was in the Church people broke into an applause. He simply told them that he was glad that they loved him but he scolded them and said that they were not to do it again because they were in the temple of the Lord (Templum Dei). There is a video of that episode but I cannot find it anymore.

Update: here it is the youtube link youtu.be/xGbsVGrtN68
 
Let’s here Pope Emeritus Benedict speaking on the issue

“Whenever 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” (Spirit of the Liturgy, Page 198).
 
At the funeral of nearly every Pope there is applause. As indeed there is at many Papal Masses. Depends why we are clapping. It shouldn’t be the norm to clap readers and singers after Mass. It isn’t an opera
 
JimmyG88 said:
At the funeral of nearly every Pope there is applause. As indeed there is at many Papal Masses. Depends why we are clapping. It shouldn’t be the norm to clap readers and singers after Mass. It isn’t an opera
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And if they take place before the liturgy has ended, while understandable, it remains inappropriate.
 
porthos11 said:
And if they take place before the liturgy has ended, while understandable, it remains inappropriate.
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I really don’t see why not. It’s just a physical manifestation of emotion like singing, prayer posture or an extension of church music or bell ringing.
 
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