Clapping in Church

[latingirl]

In countries like Africa, they clap when the Eucharist is elevated. However this clapping is to honor God and is for God. I myself dislike clapping when it is to honor a man. On some occasions such as Veterans Day or for the Anniversary of a priest’s ordination, I don’t think it is terribly wrong, but for the most part it’s just inappropriate.

 

[Marian_Man]

Just a friendly observation, the statement seems to be underpinned with the implication that gospel music is somehow inferior to other styles of music.

It is inferior to other musics. Gregorian chant has pride of place in the Latin liturgy and in the western world is superior to every other form of music regardless of our personal tastes.

And this extends to cultural practises being inserted into the liturgy. Just because some ethnic group somewhere claps to show reverence does not mean that they should do so during the Holy Sacrifice. Their clapping is not of equal value to our silence. It’s a cultural inferiority that should be stamped out from the Mass.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

It is inferior to other musics. Gregorian chant has pride of place in the Latin liturgy and in the western world is superior to every other form of music regardless of our personal tastes.

And this extends to cultural practises being inserted into the liturgy. Just because some ethnic group somewhere claps to show reverence does not mean that they should do so during the Holy Sacrifice. Their clapping is not of equal value to our silence. It’s a **cultural inferiority **that should be stamped out from the Mass.

Please learn to think with the mind of the church. Yes, Gregorian chant has pride of place in the Roman church, particularly in north-western countries (Eurpoean and North American), but the church does not state that there are “cultural inferiorities” that must be stamped out when the Mass is celebrated by/with/for southern and eastern peoples or in the other 22 Eastern Catholic churches.

 

[englishredrose]

we cannot please everybody all the time…

Signs of how wealthy we are in life when people stamp their royal foot about a little clapping in Church.

Mass is a Solumn (spelling) Celebration of the Lords’ Supper.

This does not mean that we cannot clap and God Heaven forbid or even smile in church Solumn (spelling) doesn’t mean sombre… in this case. There is far too much of this in the big ugly wide reality of a world so let some of us who need that little bit of celebration do so in style and have that bit of clapping in the service and some joyful tunes. After all Jesus came to preach the good news to all and that is to love one another as he loves us and if we got to stamp out clapping in Mass then what price good news and love and welcoming. Our services are happier times than in the Victorian times when people were forced into going to church and hell was preached to keep people in order. Long gone are those days ‘thank God’ quite literally and we are free to love and serve God without each other oppressing us into going. Let us enjoy the good news that Jesus came to share with us not make it another gloomy episode of your worst soap opera on tv… Church is a happy place to celebrate God. Let it be so

 

[superamazingman]

we cannot please everybody all the time…

Signs of how wealthy we are in life when people stamp their royal foot about a little clapping in Church.

Mass is a Solumn (spelling) Celebration of the Lords’ Supper.

This does not mean that we cannot clap and God Heaven forbid or even smile in church Solumn (spelling) doesn’t mean sombre… in this case. There is far too much of this in the big ugly wide reality of a world so let some of us who need that little bit of celebration do so in style and have that bit of clapping in the service and some joyful tunes. After all Jesus came to preach the good news to all and that is to love one another as he loves us and if we got to stamp out clapping in Mass then what price good news and love and welcoming. Our services are happier times than in the Victorian times when people were forced into going to church and hell was preached to keep people in order. Long gone are those days ‘thank God’ quite literally and we are free to love and serve God without each other oppressing us into going. Let us enjoy the good news that Jesus came to share with us not make it another gloomy episode of your worst soap opera on tv… Church is a happy place to celebrate God. Let it be so

Actually, the long-held traditions Roman Rite maintain a characteristic sobriety, which means that, in fact, we should be shooting for a somber and solemn atmosphere.

I have to say, aren’t you an Anglican? You wouldn’t necessarily understand some of the specifics of the roman rite anyways…

Keep in mind that the last supper was also a solemn and somber celebration, not only because of Jesus’ upcoming passion, but because of the nature of the passover ritual.

 

[vjnycguy]

Is it a sin to clap during a Catholic Church Service?

“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.”

• Pope Benedict XVI

 

[Dolezal]

Which of the 10 commandments would that be breaking? What would make you think clapping is a sin?

What about: Remember to keep holy the LORD’S Day? Do the rubrics allow for clapping? It irritates me to hear laughing and clapping during mass and keeps me from focusing on God. What’s so hard about giving all your attention to the mass just one hour per week? I can somewhat understand clapping for a visiting choir after mass, but it still doesn’t feel appropriate to me.

 

[vjnycguy]

What about: Remember to keep holy the LORD’S Day? Do the rubrics allow for clapping? It irritates me to hear laughing and clapping during mass and keeps me from focusing on God. What’s so hard about giving all your attention to the mass just one hour per week? I can somewhat understand clapping for a visiting choir after mass, but it still doesn’t feel appropriate to me.

THANK YOU! Haha, finally someone who agrees 100% with me.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

What about: Remember to keep holy the LORD’S Day? Do the rubrics allow for clapping? It irritates me to hear laughing and clapping during mass and keeps me from focusing on God. What’s so hard about giving all your attention to the mass just one hour per week? I can somewhat understand clapping for a visiting choir after mass, but it still doesn’t feel appropriate to me.

Rubrics don’t apply to the laity. They are directions for saying Mass and confecting the eucharist.

There are many things that happen in an ordinary day that irritate me, but that doesn’t stop me from praising God at every opportunity. It is good to develop a detachment from things we can’t change. As ordinary lay folk, we don’t have control over people showing affection, approval, or appreciation by clapping. Actually, the priest doesn’t really either. He can preach against it and ask people not to do it, but it is a very natural reaction to applaud to show approval or appreciation.

Certainly applauding is not a sin that needs confessing. Yes, some Masses can become very boisterious and the children’s choir, new members, birthdays and anniversaries can seem to overshadow the consecration. However, it is a sin to harbor resentment against our fellow man, to allow irritation and indignation to get the better of us.

The best way to stop clapping during church is to simply not clap ourselves. To gently remind our friends and family about why we are at Mass. To charitably ask our priest to limit announcements to just before dismissal. There should be joy at Mass, but because the savior of the world is there to meet us!

 

[Dara]

In the diocese that I am in, there are several events where people clap during mass. I always find it uncomfortable. I know it is intended to draw us closer as a congregation, but I always feel like it should happen before mass starts.

For instance, during the announcements the deacon may ask who has birthdays, anniversaries, etc or to honor the alter servers. I agree that we should celebrate our church family and be proud of our alter servers, but I usually feel that it is jarring and detracts from the spriritual level of mass.

If ALL of mass is a prayer, then we should focus on God and not on our worldly persuites. I would love it if those things were announced prior to mass and posted in the bulletins instead.

I always think of the quote by our beloved Pope about applause in mass, but if it were a sin surely it would not be so prevalent across America.

 

[englishredrose]

I have to say, aren’t you an Anglican? You wouldn’t necessarily understand some of the specifics of the roman rite anyways…

QUOTE]

you don’t mean to wave the anglican card with me when I point out that I am happy that we do not hold hands during the Lords’ Prayer of which something I have only come across on here. And to be honest, I am not bothered if we clap or don’t clap. it just isn’t an issue with me. And I will say that we did have members that walked out of church the minute we started clapping in hymns when it was specific to that hymn. So easy to wave the anglican card at me when you disagree with what I say. And it may feel like there may be a difference on perspecitive between the two but I reckon there are many in my church who would hotly agree with you and do not like my outlook which has actually nothing to do with me being Anglican. I am Anglican by the church I attend, which is the one in my village, my parish church… Am not Anglican through a conscious act per say and that is why I haven’t written it as my description. I am Church of England by being English and Anglican by it being my local parish church and am comfortable there but let me assure you there will be many in the church who would 100% agree with you. I break boundaries in that I fought for female servers and most really dislike females being on the Altar… because they have been taught it not right line of succession or something catholicy. So please, if you wave the Anglican Card at me, do so correctly and appreciate that yes I am Anglican in that is where I go to worship and all government tick boxes and I am Anglican because I am not Roman Catholic but remember most Anglicans would be more in agreement with you than me, trust me on that No offence

 

[VivienneJ]

It is inferior to other musics. Gregorian chant has pride of place in the Latin liturgy and in the western world is superior to every other form of music regardless of our personal tastes.

And this extends to cultural practises being inserted into the liturgy. Just because some ethnic group somewhere claps to show reverence does not mean that they should do so during the Holy Sacrifice. Their clapping is not of equal value to our silence. It’s a cultural inferiority that should be stamped out from the Mass.

I have been “taken to task” in the past for saying what I am about to say (and I may well be taken to task again for this).

The Catholic Church exists all over the world, and there are cultural differences all over the world and the liturgy must take those differences into account. Any time something is stated in such a way that what is common and acceptable in the USA is “the way it is and should be done in the Catholic Church” I find myself thinking of experiences I’ve had in African and Eastern Catholic Churches which are totally opposite to the American way of doing things, yet they are completely appropriate in those cultures. And I find myself feeling as though American Catholics are saying they are totally right in their cultural ways and we are totally wrong in our cultural ways.

I do understand that by far most of the posters on CAF are in the United States of America, however, the internet is world wide and many posters and readers are not in the USA and have no appreciation for the cultural norms of the USA.

(I guess most posters here would be horrified if they saw how the taking of a second collection for some special purpose is done in many African churches.)

 

[englishredrose]

I have been “taken to task” in the past for saying what I am about to say (and I may well be taken to task again for this).

The Catholic Church exists all over the world, and there are cultural differences all over the world and the liturgy must take those differences into account. Any time something is stated in such a way that what is common and acceptable in the USA is “the way it is and should be done in the Catholic Church” I find myself thinking of experiences I’ve had in African and Eastern Catholic Churches which are totally opposite to the American way of doing things, yet they are completely appropriate in those cultures. And I find myself feeling as though American Catholics are saying they are totally right in their cultural ways and we are totally wrong in our cultural ways.

I do understand that by far most of the posters on CAF are in the United States of America, however, the internet is world wide and many posters and readers are not in the USA and have no appreciation for the cultural norms of the USA.

(I guess most posters here would be horrified if they saw how the taking of a second collection for some special purpose is done in many African churches.)

and i too been taken to task over some things you have said so I agree with where you are coming from and remember it is only a small percentage posting here and it is only them saying it and we do not know how the rest are thinking since they are not here saying it but people do forget how culture plays a huge part and the misleading conception sometimes given here and the rest of it so i be taken to task with you on this though you are at least Catholic and I do find it how the anglican card is played against me when my thought don’t fit with theirs but no one plays the anglican card with me when they like what I have to say or comment on me being anglican if they are in agreement in some way. I do worry about how the image of being Catholic is given on here at times because there isn’t a lot of good news being shared and people are quick to give their opinion we are wrong so we know we going to be wrong anyway. But well I just wonder if people realise what image they are giving about themselves about Catholic living in their quickness to be always on the defence and ready to say others are wrong.

Yes Correction is in the Bible but they way its attacked on the forum in the keenness to defend the Catholic Doctrine is abit ott at times so I am with you there and will get shot with you so two is company

 

[SMHW]

I have been “taken to task” in the past for saying what I am about to say (and I may well be taken to task again for this).
.
.
.
I do understand that by far most of the posters on CAF are in the United States of America, however, the internet is world wide and many posters and readers are not in the USA and have no appreciation for the cultural norms of the USA.

(I guess most posters here would be horrified if they saw how the taking of a second collection for some special purpose is done in many African churches.)

When I was a child (in the United States) taking up a second collection after communion was the norm. Sometimes it was for a special purpose and the rest of the time it was apparently just a second regular collection.

But I agree that far too many posters here thing that their favorite American customs are --or should be-- the norm.

 

[Tigg]

**The Catholic Church exists all over the world, and there are cultural differences all over the world and the liturgy must take those differences into account. **Any time something is stated in such a way that what is common and acceptable in the USA is “the way it is and should be done in the Catholic Church” I find myself thinking of experiences I’ve had in African and Eastern Catholic Churches which are totally opposite to the American way of doing things, yet they are completely appropriate in those cultures. And I find myself feeling as though American Catholics are saying they are totally right in their cultural ways and we are totally wrong in our cultural ways.

I’m not really disagreeing here, but you should see some parishes in the western part of the U.S. Let’s just say we take diversity to a new level when we have a Spanish Mass with a mariachi band and a fair number of Asians in attendance in the congregation.

With the new globalization and stunning numbers of immigration, both legal and illegal, preferring one culture over another seems rather silly. And just who gets to decide which culture will prevail? (I’ve noticed that my ethnic heritage is never represented.)

At the risk of another Tower of Babel, perhaps some common ground (and common sense) is called for.

 

[englishredrose]

common sense

well that is another thread isn’t it.

and common ground… should I add too

 

[Cathryn]

Homily and applause by Cardinal Ratzinger at the funeral of John Paul II

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Funeral_of_Pope_John_Paul_II#Homily

After kissing the text of the Book of the Gospels, Cardinal Ratzinger stood before the congregants to offer the homily which included references to the life and service of Pope John Paul. He spoke in Italian, first greeting the many political figures and religious leaders that had gathered, and then told the story of how the young Karol had answered the Lord’s call, and became a priest after the persecution of the Nazis, the answer of the command: “Follow me!” Cardinal Ratzinger also told of John Paul’s life as a bishop, cardinal, and pope, frequently applying scripture to the pope’s life. Finally, he told of the pope’s devotion to Mary and the Divine Mercy of Christ. The cardinal’s last words were about the end of Pope John Paul II’s life:
None of us can ever forget how in that last Easter Sunday of his life, the Holy Father, marked by suffering, came once more to the window of the Apostolic Palace and one last time gave his blessing Urbi et Orbi. We can be sure that our beloved pope is standing today at the window of the Father’s house that he sees us and blesses us. Yes, bless us, Holy Father. We entrust your dear soul to the Mother of God, your Mother, who guided you each day and who will guide you now to the eternal glory of her Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.[13] Some construed the ending of the homily to mean that the pope had already entered into heaven, and had become a saint.[14]
Cardinal Ratzinger became emotional at certain parts of his homily, especially in reflection of the inability of Pope John Paul to speak in the last days of his life.
Altogether, the homily was interrupted approximately ten times with outbursts of applause by the congregants.

The Nicene Creed sung in the Latin language followed the homily. The prayers of the faithful were offered in Italian, French, Swahili, Tagalog, Polish, German, and Portuguese.

Applause has been historically accepted in the Catholic Church. There are references to homilies of saints meeting with applause. Priests were cautioned by previous Popes not to do homilies seeking applause or approval. Hundreds of years ago homilies were met with applause. Spontaneous outburst in homilies even at funerals is accepted. This isn’t something new. It means “we approve”. Pope John Paul II said he didn’t mind waiting for the long applause to stop during his homilies because it gave him time to rest. Pope Benedict XVI didn’t condemn applause, but his much quoted statement was regarding the use of liturgical dance. The quote needs to be read in it’s proper context. There is nothing wrong with clapping. There is something wrong with a priest looking for applause, or performances done during Mass to entertain and seek applause for human effort, as in the liturgical dance. This is what our Church at various times has cautioned against. It has never stated the it is inappropriate or wrong for the faithful to applaud during a homily, or during the parish announcements.

 

[Ohana]

Not all clapping is the same (as has been stated 25 times already). Some of it is cultural. And culture counts…

Cardinal Arinze also says liturgical dance is fine in Africa.

Well it is ok in Hawaii also. Some of the most beautiful communion meditations are post communion hula expressions.

 

[clem456]

Homily and applause by Cardinal Ratzinger at the funeral of John Paul II

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Funeral_of_Pope_John_Paul_II#Homily

Applause has been historically accepted in the Catholic Church. There are references to homilies of saints meeting with applause. Priests were cautioned by previous Popes not to do homilies seeking applause or approval. Hundreds of years ago homilies were met with applause. Spontaneous outburst in homilies even at funerals is accepted. This isn’t something new. It means “we approve”. Pope John Paul II said he didn’t mind waiting for the long applause to stop during his homilies because it gave him time to rest. Pope Benedict XVI didn’t condemn applause, but his much quoted statement was regarding the use of liturgical dance. The quote needs to be read in it’s proper context. There is nothing wrong with clapping. There is something wrong with a priest looking for applause, or performances done during Mass to entertain and seek applause for human effort, as in the liturgical dance. This is what our Church at various times has cautioned against. It has never stated the it is inappropriate or wrong for the faithful to applaud during a homily, or during the parish announcements.

This very sensibly and completely answers the question.

 

[Liquid47]

Homily and applause by Cardinal Ratzinger at the funeral of John Paul II

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Funeral_of_Pope_John_Paul_II#Homily

Applause has been historically accepted in the Catholic Church. There are references to homilies of saints meeting with applause. Priests were cautioned by previous Popes not to do homilies seeking applause or approval. Hundreds of years ago homilies were met with applause. Spontaneous outburst in homilies even at funerals is accepted. This isn’t something new. It means “we approve”. Pope John Paul II said he didn’t mind waiting for the long applause to stop during his homilies because it gave him time to rest. Pope Benedict XVI didn’t condemn applause, but his much quoted statement was regarding the use of liturgical dance. The quote needs to be read in it’s proper context. There is nothing wrong with clapping. There is something wrong with a priest looking for applause, or performances done during Mass to entertain and seek applause for human effort, as in the liturgical dance. This is what our Church at various times has cautioned against. It has never stated the it is inappropriate or wrong for the faithful to applaud during a homily, or during the parish announcements.

While all this is good and true, I’m cynical as to how many Catholics even understand the reasons for the rubrics of the Holy Mass.

I was attending my little brother’s first Holy Communion last weekend, and there were several applauses during the liturgy. I suppose Holy Communion and Confirmation would be the place Catholics may most likely applause, but in this particular instance, I had a feeling the congregation weren’t applauding for God’s grace amongst these young parishioners. Lo and behold, they started giving out presents to the teachers of the young initiates after Holy Communion, which was a little disconcerting. Surely such gestures could have been done at the party after the Holy Mass?

I think as a golden rule, leniency is fine, or as St Ambrose said, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. But even the Romans understood Jesus’ commandments first before encrusting it in their cultural norms.