Clapping in Mass?

[deogratias]

Who are we applauding. Not Christ to whom we are there to worship. No the applause is usually for the choir, or the Priest’s homily, or to welcome someone to the church, or to praise someone for something they have done or are about to do or just because it is their birthday. This praise, even when well deserved, should not be given at a time when praise is to be for Our Lord, Jesus Christ and to do otherwise is irreverant.

 

[Mandi]

deogratias:

This praise, even when well deserved, should not be given at a time when praise is to be for Our Lord, Jesus Christ and to do otherwise is irreverant.

This gives way to a thought!

If the praise at Mass is suppose to be for God alone, it could be said then that those receiving praise during Mass are guilty of stealing that which rightfully belongs to God.

I was told once from a priest, that we are not to even smell the fragrance from the flowers on the Altar. For the fragrance is intended for God, not us.

 

[deogratias]

It is a sign of the times - everything is about “I” and “me”. Notice how some of the more modern hymns, instead of praising the Lord, talk about what the Lord does for me instead of what I do for him.

How often do I hear people say they really “enjoy” the singing and hand clapping - I just don’t believe we are there for entertainment and that kind of pleasure. There is a big difference between joy and pleasure.

 

[itsjustdave1988]

There was a time, I believe, that kneeling on Sunday was prohibited, as it was a sign of sorrow when Sunday was a day of joy. I believe intention is important when considering whether some gesture may be “disrespectful” or “offensive” to God.

I believe clapping to be an common American expression of “amen.” I’m not offended by it. I doubt the Lord is offended if it is indeed merely a gestural “amen” or an expression of “joy.”

 

[itsjustdave1988]

From *Varietates Legitimae, *Fourth Instruction for the Right Application of the Conciliar Constitution on the Liturgy (Nos. 37-40), Congegation for the Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments on March 29, 1994:
adoremus.org/doc_inculturation.html

“42. Among some peoples, singing is instinctively accompanied by handclapping, rhythmic swaying and dance movements on the part of the participants. Such forms of external expression can have a place in the liturgical actions of these peoples on condition that they are always the expression of true communal prayer of adoration, praise, offering and supplication, and not simply a performance.”

 

[deogratias]

itsjustdave1988:

From *Varietates Legitimae, *Fourth Instruction for the Right Application of the Conciliar Constitution on the Liturgy (Nos. 37-40), Congegation for the Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments on March 29, 1994:
adoremus.org/doc_inculturation.html

I don’t think this applies to applause but to clapping of hands, say in gospel type singing, etc.

 

[deogratias]

I believe clapping to be an common American expression of “amen.” I’m not offended by it. I doubt the Lord is offended if it is indeed merely a gestural “amen” or an expression of "joy

Oh come on. So next time I am at the opera - I will stand up and shout AMEN AMEN instead of Bravo.

And when the priest says a great homily we can all stand up and shout AMEN

and the same when the choir performs

or it is your birthday and it is announced

No I don’t buy that applause for people’s performance at Mass is some form of Amen. It is a sign of appreciation and approval but it is not an AMEN.

 

[RichT]

deogratias:

Oh come on. So next time I am at the opera - I will stand up and shout AMEN AMEN instead of Bravo.

And when the priest says a great homily we can all stand up and shout AMEN

and the same when the choir performs

or it is your birthday and it is announced

No I don’t buy that applause for people’s performance at Mass is some form of Amen. It is a sign of appreciation and approval but it is not an AMEN.

This is from the American Heritage Dictionary. The word amen is defined as follows: Used at the end of a prayer or a statement to express assent or approval.

So, if the applause is meant as a form of approval then yes it can have the same intention as saying amen. Many years ago I had the pleasure of taking part in a sweat lodge ceremony with a native american friend. This ceremony is the equivilent of a prayer meeting. The native americans use the word “Ho” in the same way we use “Amen”. They also use it at the end of someone’s statement to show agreement, much in the same way you hear some church goers say amen after the preacher has said something they agree with. Almost like hearing a priest say, “Let’s get rid of all these liturgical abuses.” Someone like your self might feel the urge to say, “Amen!” Or you might feel the urge to applaude. Same difference.

 

[RichT]

By the way, the word Bravo is defined as follows: Used to express approval, especially of a performance.

So, you can plainly see Deo, that the words amen and bravo are very similar. Although you may get some peculiar looks from those attending the opera, shouting “Amen, Amen!” would still be a compliment.

Oh, I am not looking to offend you in anyway Deo. It’s just that the heat around here has finally gotten to me. Hey, we should hook up for coffee someday.

 

[Isadore96]

Prometheum_x:

What is it about clapping that is irreverent? I am not saying that I think it is nor that it isn’t. I am trying to discover what it means to be reverent and why it is that clapping and being reverent are mutually exclusive.

I feel its OK to applaud somebody after Mass before we leave the church. However I have heard that in certain youth masses the congregation claps to the music. However it seems that what all of you are talking about was the applauding; I just jumped into this forum and I may have misjudged the thread. But as for clapping to the music, I feel that that does not belong in a Mass because it turns the Mass from a sacrifice into a liturgical party. I see nothing wrong with a “praise and worship meeting after Mass” where those who want to clap do so in the church hall to music that is played there. Doing so praiseds God. However there is a time and a place for everything. Clapping to the music praises God; but it is inappropriate during Mass
_Isadore

 

[deogratias]

Fr. Groeschel, on his last vist for a conference asked the people to consider his request that “If you feel compelled to clap, please use one hand.”

I will still subscribe to Fr. Groeschel’s request on clapping

 

[pnewton]

deogratias:

I will still subscribe to Fr. Groeschel’s request on clapping

To follow your lead, “AMEN!” Of course if we all started to do this wouldn’t we just be waving? (a one handed clap)

 

[deogratias]

Obviously what he meant was don’t clap.

 

[itsjustdave1988]

deogratias:

I don’t think this applies to applause but to clapping of hands, say in gospel type singing, etc.

True. Yet I believe some people were offended by even that. Our parish claps their hands when singing the Alleluia. That would be a time of joy and praise where such a gesture might be appropriate.

No I don’t buy that applause for people’s performance at Mass is some form of Amen. It is a sign of appreciation and approval but it is not an AMEN.

I’m sure we can agree to disagree.

I believe the mere act of clapping is not prohibited by the Vatican as some would have us believe. It can be a legitamite “expression of … praise.” Sorry if you feel that praise for others detracts from praise from God, but I don’t buy that. Love doesn’t work that way. You can express your love for others without risk of offending God. For example, a few weeks ago, after an African missionary nun was introduced by our priest during the homily to discuss her mission, we clapped. After her discussion regarding her mission to the poor in her native land in Africa, we clapped. I don’t find such a gesture offensive or disrespectful in the least. We expressed praise for the work of Christ that she shares with others. In other words, it was our way of saying “Amen” sister. In fact, some even said “Amen” as they clapped.

 

[itsjustdave1988]

But as for clapping to the music, I feel that that does not belong in a Mass

Well you are free to have your own opinion, but the Church officially pronounces in *Varietates Legitima, *that “handclapping … can have a place in the liturgical actions … on condition that they are always the expression of true communal prayer of adoration, praise, offering and supplication, and not simply a performance.”