Clapping after Mass

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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??..:confused:
 
It’s inappropriate. The cantor, choir director, or pastor should tell the people so. It should also be written in the church bulletin that it’s inappropriate. Most of the time something like that starts with only one or two people, and then others join in because they think it’s rude not to. I’m sure they don’t mean any harm, but they should be reminded why they’re there, Who they’re there to honor, and how to appropriately show their honor.
 
Pope Paul VI is reported to have said that one does not applaud the servant in the house of the master.
 
It is not proper…I mostly feel sorry for you becuase since you are from LA its unlikely writing to the Archbishop would help matters. People who live in LA usually have to write Arinze for complaints.
 
I’m a cantor, and if people clapped for me after Mass I’d be very embarrassed and tempted to resign. When I cantor, my desire is that the music will lead people to worship God, and that my actions will always draw attention to Him and not to myself.

I try to make this my prayer at the beginning of Mass: “Non nobis, Domine, non nobis, sed nomini tuo da gloriam” (Psalm 115:1, “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to thy name give glory”).
 
BeeSweet said:
It’s inappropriate. The cantor, choir director, or pastor should tell the people so. It should also be written in the church bulletin that it’s inappropriate. Most of the time something like that starts with only one or two people, and then others join in because they think it’s rude not to. I’m sure they don’t mean any harm, but they should be reminded why they’re there, Who they’re there to honor, and how to appropriately show their honor.
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Totally agree…Inappropriate for the liturgy. We are not spectators to a musical. We are all there for the worship and praise to our God, through Jesus Christ.😃
 
I am not entirely sure that chastising the congregation is such a good idea. If you are a musician and they clap for you, assess what you did to deserve the applause. If you did something to deliberately draw that kind of attention to yourself, then don’t do that anymore. If you did your job correctly, then let it go. If it really bothers you, talk it over with the pastor, and let him handle it as he sees fit!

The 7:45 crowd clapped for my little choir this morning. They also sang like I’ve never heard from the 7:45 crowd. I chalked it up as clapping because we picked out music that was singable by the congregation and we led it in such a way that fostered participation. While I feel uncomfortable with the applause, it’s not currently on my list of things to fuss over.

Now, if the congregation is clapping for a contemporary choir that puts on a “concert” with their music at Mass and doesn’t foster participation, I’ll be first in line to fuss over it.
 
First of all, ALL kinds of musicians can solicit clapping not just the contemporary choir, unfortunately. Please don’t single them out for this.

I have been part of the congregation when clapping has started, as well as part of the music ministry. I make sure ALL of my musicians are about service and not being a diva, or drawing attention. Of course, some people in the congregation are well meaning, and are trying to show appreciation for the efforts.

However, I would like to introduce a concept here… in America at least, and I’m sure many other parts of the world…clapping is not only done for the above reason, but when someone is showing agreement (to a speech, etc). ALSO…and this is where my real point is: people are sometimes filled with the Holy SPirit in some way or another, and that is their way of reacting to it. Sure, some people may fall on their knees, but others may not be “Trained” for that reaction and it is an automatic reaction out of the feeling from moving music from one way or another.

I do not encourage applause ever… but music is a means of touching the soul, and this is the way some people react. It is automatic. I’ve been in a congregation before and it felt automatic to me to want to clap at the end…not to applaud the musicians, but becuase it was a natural reaction.

and just because people might applaud the musicians (which is wrong), does not mean it is the musician’s fault
 
I’ve attended churches in dozens of parishes, but it wasn’t until I moved to California that I noticed anybody clapping at the end of Mass. Maybe it’s the Hollywood influence.
 
It happens here in Texas, too. I grew up in New Jersey, and I don’t recall any clapping ever occuring in Mass in my youth. I didn’t know if maybe things had changed over the years. I was away from the church for nearly 10 years. Our pastor is celebrating 40 years as a priest this weekend, and he has definitely discouraged applause in certain circumstances. However, at the end of the Mass, applause for appreciation of the music ministry has never been identified as wrong by him. I think maybe he has no idea it is going on, since he has usually left the sanctuary by then. I searched the GIRM for “applause”, applaud" and “clap” and found nothing. Can someone point out what documents they are using to determine the inappropriateness of applause? Why does it not appear to be mentioned explicitly in the GIRM? I did find the following:
Movements and Posture
42. The gestures and posture of the priest, the deacon, and the ministers, as well as those of the people, ought to contribute to making the entire celebration resplendent with beauty and noble simplicity, so that the true and full meaning of the different parts of the celebration is evident and that the participation of all is fostered. Therefore, attention should be paid to what is determined by this General Instruction and the traditional practice of the Roman Rite and to what serves the common spiritual good of the People of God, rather than private inclination or arbitrary choice.
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I am by no means defending the clapping. I would prefer folks sang their hearts out to God and then quietly leave the sanctuary with utmost respect to God and to their fellow parishoners who may still be in a state of thanksgiving after having received Communion. I sometimes get irritated with my fellow parishoners when they congregate just outside our chapel doors at weekday Masses and talk as though they were on a crowded New York street corner. I guess they don’t realize that the chapel is well within earshot of the noise. I do wish the bulletin would remind them more often to lower their volume around the chapel. Humans! 🙂

They need to add a smilie face that has a large wooden beam protruding from one of the eyes 😉
 
Thank you all for your thoughts and insights. It is most difficult to undo what’s already (name removed by moderator)lace. Seems to me that most don’t realize that anything is wrong in clapping but it sure annoys the heck out of me as I know what the Mass is and it’s definitely not a performance. Back to basic catechesis…God Bless…teachccd
 
I posted this in another thread…

Awhile back the 2nd graders sang a song after the daily school Mass…as they were going to be receiving First Communion soon and after they sang everyone… including the teachers and the Sisters…clapped. The priest then said that the Church is not a music hall and we never clap in Church…never!!

:heart:Blyss
 
BlyssfulDreamer said:
I posted this in another thread…

Awhile back the 2nd graders sang a song after the daily school Mass…as they were going to be receiving First Communion soon and after they sang everyone… including the teachers and the Sisters…clapped. The priest then said that the Church is not a music hall and we never clap in Church…never!!

:heart:Blyss
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I had a priest tell me once that it’s ok to receive communion at an Episcopal church, provided that the parish in question teaches the doctrine of the True Presence.

With all due respect to priests, they are human, and they are not infallible. If the Church has not forbidden clapping, the Church has not forbidden clapping. What’s the issue?

Peace,
Dante
 
DanteAlighieri said:
With all due respect to priests, they are human, and they are not infallible. If the Church has not forbidden clapping, the Church has not forbidden clapping. What’s the issue?

Peace,
Dante
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There is probably nothing formally forbidding me from doing jumping jacks during the Lord’s Prayer but it is inappropriate none the less…teachccd
 
While it concerns me, I’ve also not been afraid to say that eradicating applause after Mass is not on my “fuss list.”

There are so many other things that need to be fixed within the Church. Why are we fixating on such a small annoyance when we have priests composing their own Eucharistic Prayers, entire dioceses who don’t know to bow during the words of the Incarnation, people who serve as emHC running unnecessary Word and Communion Services, and something like 70% of Catholics not believing in the Real Presence? Other things first, please.
 
MusicMan said:
While it concerns me, I’ve also not been afraid to say that eradicating applause after Mass is not on my “fuss list.”

There are so many other things that need to be fixed within the Church. Why are we fixating on such a small annoyance when we have priests composing their own Eucharistic Prayers, entire dioceses who don’t know to bow during the words of the Incarnation, people who serve as emHC running unnecessary Word and Communion Services, and something like 70% of Catholics not believing in the Real Presence? Other things first, please.
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Sorry. I guess then that I’ll continue my jumping jacks during the Lord’s Prayer…😉
 
For one thing, the applause is occurring after Mass has finished. The GIRM is only in force for the Mass. Secondly, you’re comparing apples to oranges. Clapping after Mass doesn’t disrupt the Mass itself like jumping jacks during the Eucharistic Prayer would. Thirdly, the GIRM legislates your posture during the Eucharistic Prayer. It directs you to kneel. You don’t have the option of jumping jacks. Please note that problems during the Eucharistic Prayer is on my “fuss list.”
 
MusicMan said:
For one thing, the applause is occurring after Mass has finished. The GIRM is only in force for the Mass. Secondly, you’re comparing apples to oranges. Clapping after Mass doesn’t disrupt the Mass itself like jumping jacks during the Eucharistic Prayer would. Thirdly, the GIRM legislates your posture during the Eucharistic Prayer. It directs you to kneel. You don’t have the option of jumping jacks. Please note that problems during the Eucharistic Prayer is on my “fuss list.”
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How about a couple of minutes of silent thanksgiving after the Mass has completed? We used to do that. Another practice that has fallen by the wayside. I’ve always wondered exactly who people were applauding. Was it for the the Priest?, the deacon,? the choir?, the Blessed Sacrament? or is it as I suspect more likely than not for themselves since the Mass is obviously about them and for them
 
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