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HisTruePresence
Guest
i once heard that clapping during mass songs/acclamations weren’t ok. is this true?
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Resurrexit
Guest
Not sure what the official rubrics are on this matter. But definitely in principle, it is NOT okay.
The Mass is a Solemn Sacrifice and a re-representation of Calvary. If you lived 2000 years ago, would you have danced around clapping whilst Our Blessed Lord was being crucified? Don’t answer that…
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HisTruePresence
Guest
thank you!
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Holland
Guest
Tambourines in the choir section and clapping during the Gloria; that’s what happens every Sunday at our church. It drives me crazy and I won’t do it.
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MusicMan
Guest
It’s fine so long as the score calls for it.
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cheese_sdc
Guest
There are some instances when it is appropriate to clap during Mass, and some when it is not.
For example, during the ordination ceremony, it calls for the assembly to indicate their approval of the person being ordained. This is normally done by clapping.
It is normally not accepted practice to applaud an individual or group for a performance during the Mass (for example - applauding the choir for their efforts on a song).
As far as the assembly clapping to accompany a particular song - there is nothing stating that this cannot be done. If it is appropriate for that congregation and that song and that season, then fine. If not, then don’t.
I would also object to music directors or cantors attempting to force the assembly to clap.
For example, during the ordination ceremony, it calls for the assembly to indicate their approval of the person being ordained. This is normally done by clapping.
It is normally not accepted practice to applaud an individual or group for a performance during the Mass (for example - applauding the choir for their efforts on a song).
As far as the assembly clapping to accompany a particular song - there is nothing stating that this cannot be done. If it is appropriate for that congregation and that song and that season, then fine. If not, then don’t.
I would also object to music directors or cantors attempting to force the assembly to clap.
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lizaanne
Guest
We have a Teen Mass on Sunday evening where the music is performed by an extremely talented jazz band. The music really is excellent (not stating whether or not it’s appropriate or licit, just saying they are very very talented). After mass and the final song is done, most people erupt into applause as if they were just at a concert. It drives me CRAZY!!! Every time it happens I feel like, well, guess we weren’t here for Christ after all, but for the really great music. It just seems to diminish the true reason for being there.
I have not been going to this particular mass any more, especially after they played a stylized instrumental version of “The Long and Winding Road” during Holy Communion.
Anyway - I don’t like applause as part of mass. It just does not feel appropriate to me. Except for those rare occasions when the priest might be asking for our response such as during ordination, etc.
~Liza
I have not been going to this particular mass any more, especially after they played a stylized instrumental version of “The Long and Winding Road” during Holy Communion.
Anyway - I don’t like applause as part of mass. It just does not feel appropriate to me. Except for those rare occasions when the priest might be asking for our response such as during ordination, etc.
~Liza
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agapewolf
Guest
Two different subjects are coming up here:
Clapping to rhythm of a song, and applause as done at a concert. But I will stick my neck out there and say there is a third idea coming about as well.
I am a music director at a church and lead a choir as well as a band, sometimes combined for holidays. My musicians know they are NOT performing and their job is to lead the people in singing. We want the people to drown us out (and many times they do…THAT is the function of the drummer…get people to inhale at the right time to belt out the songs louder). I also have guitar and drums come for the school Masses. The clapping to the beat of the last song grew organically. The Holy Spirit is filling people up and they don’t know what to do with themselves…its a natural inclination.
My “3rd idea” that I was referring to is the end of a Mass, people end up clapping as if it were applause, but they are not congratulating the musicians…again, its the feeling of the Holy Spirit that makes one naturally feel like you gotta do something with the body and thats what we know how to do here. My musicians do not want applause, we want to be like Mary…pointing the way to Jesus helping people pray.
One more thought…if I lived 2000 years ago, I WOULD clap and praise on tamborines when the Lord rose from the dead. At Mass, I’m not going to clap during the consecration, but I will when I am SENT!
Clapping to rhythm of a song, and applause as done at a concert. But I will stick my neck out there and say there is a third idea coming about as well.
I am a music director at a church and lead a choir as well as a band, sometimes combined for holidays. My musicians know they are NOT performing and their job is to lead the people in singing. We want the people to drown us out (and many times they do…THAT is the function of the drummer…get people to inhale at the right time to belt out the songs louder). I also have guitar and drums come for the school Masses. The clapping to the beat of the last song grew organically. The Holy Spirit is filling people up and they don’t know what to do with themselves…its a natural inclination.
My “3rd idea” that I was referring to is the end of a Mass, people end up clapping as if it were applause, but they are not congratulating the musicians…again, its the feeling of the Holy Spirit that makes one naturally feel like you gotta do something with the body and thats what we know how to do here. My musicians do not want applause, we want to be like Mary…pointing the way to Jesus helping people pray.
One more thought…if I lived 2000 years ago, I WOULD clap and praise on tamborines when the Lord rose from the dead. At Mass, I’m not going to clap during the consecration, but I will when I am SENT!
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sconea
Guest
Clapping at Mass is an innovation that almost always acknowledges human achievement. The only time it is prescribed in the Mass, I believe, is at an ordination. As Cardinal Jospeh Ratzinger said in the Spirit of the Liturgy, “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.”
rtforum.org/lt/lt92.html
rtforum.org/lt/lt92.html
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Prodigal_Son
Guest
Ahhh, but isn’t the Mass a celebration of that sacrifice, a celebration of the Incarnation, a celebration of the Ressurrection? I do not think one should take clapping lightly, or clap as a result of emotivism, but neither do I think the practice should be dismissed out of hand. Consider:Not sure what the official rubrics are on this matter. But definitely in principle, it is NOT okay.
The Mass is a Solemn Sacrifice and a re-representation of Calvary. If you lived 2000 years ago, would you have danced around clapping whilst Our Blessed Lord was being crucified? Don’t answer that…
Joy is an acceptable response, at an acceptable time. It’s worth considering whether clapping might not simply be an expression of that joy.
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lizaanne
Guest
I knew I loved him for a reason!
No one ever applauded after mass 40 years ago, no matter how stunning the choir was. It is only the feel good attitude of the present that leads people to not being able to control themselves and bust out in applause.
There are plenty of things we can do with ourselves when we feel overwhelmed by the Spirit - I for one get down on my knees after mass and thank Christ for his sacrifice. No applause necessary.
~Liza
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tom.wineman
Guest
I’ve never noticed Pope Benedict clapping to songs during his Masses but then he is not a parish music director.
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MusicMan
Guest
While I am not currently a holder of the title, “parish music director,” I have served in that capacity in the past and will continue to do so when called upon… presently I am a choir director and accompanist for our parish. I have never once, in the capacity of parish music director or any other capacity, clapped to songs at Mass, nor have I ever encouraged others to clap.
It is true that the congregation in my parish applauds for the musicians after every Mass, and I cringe when they do it for my choir. When I am a humble member of the congregation, I do not join in the post-Mass applause for the musicians.
There are some of us out here who function as parish music directors who are making a sincere effort to do things properly as indicated in the documents promulgated by the Church. It does not help to have people make statements like this. We are meeting enough resistance in our parishes from the people who want “happy-clappy” music every Sunday. We don’t need folks on CAF taking shots at us too.
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