Clapping is not reverent at Mass

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So this week at Mass he called the children up to sit for the homily, which he addressed to them particularly (from the pulpit). It was a simple message geared to be understood by children, but a powerful one (God created us, and created us to hold the God of the universe IN us. IN our bodies.) Then when the children left, the people CLAPPED. I did too - not my husband. We both agree on not liking clapping at Mass, but, I see this priest trying to reach the children and their parents, who have so many distractions and reasons not to go to church. What am I doing to reach out to children and their parents to help them go to church? Right now, nothing. But it matters to Jesus! So I just cannot criticize or not-support this priest’s efforts.

I feel the priest is trying to meet the people where they are. He senses the lack of basic catechism and he uses every homily to teach basic truths of the faith. I love it. Its what people need to hear.

Where I lived before, we went to a priest with a very reverent Mass who I have reason to believe suffered much because of not bending to many of the bishop’s modernist ways. At his Mass, he skipped the sharing of the peace among the people - instead he greeted us, and we all greeted him back in unison, and then he immediately continued with the Mass! I liked that! The “meet n’greet” in the middle of Mass always seemed “off” to me. However, at Christmas and Easter, he included it! He knew the pews were full of folks who only came then, and he was meeting them where they are, and not marring their Mass experience with grudging feelings about the priest who skipped the meet n’ greet. I think it was wise.

So, the clapping - it’s context. For the Knights of Columbus fund-raising, oh, boy! Rather than complain to the priest I would approach a Knight about this, one you know cares about reverence (the ones I know do) and they should be able to request no clapping for their announcements, or announce in some other way, like the bulletin.

The reason i would not approach the priest is I would first ask myself before I complain how many times I have complimented him, or served and helped him with what he is trying to accomplish…
 
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Interesting you mention the sign of peace. I feel it also distracts. I love fellowship and the warm brother and sister greeting, but modernism should not be tolerated. The eucharist is holy and silence is important at times.
 
Well I have all kinds of problems that I don’t talk about, but wait for the right time… another is that the folk guitar singers love to sing about the “meal” or “we the people” or some other peppy expressive song during the entire communion time, when I would like to be silent in preparation, and meditative for prayer and thanksgiving after. Why can’t the music serve the actual moment, rather than trying to rouse out of it? Why not at this moment, of all moments, be gentle background, serving meditation, not demanding attention?? [insert old shrug icon here]
 
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Eh, keep in mind that at one point the use of organ music in Mass was considered disrespectful.
 
KATRINA_68 said:
People who contribute their time and talent (should) do these things for the Glory of God and with humility, not expecting the applause that is so readily given in the secular world of individualism. A word of appreciation from the Pastor should suffice. All glory at Mass results from our Creator and is given back to Him from the Sacrifice of the Mass.
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I agree insofar that people contribute for the glory of God with humility. They nevertheless can be appreciated and show of appreciation does not take away the glory to God and the humility. The appreciation is given by others as show of recognition that their work is good and being appreciated for the glory of God.

In the same way we can appreciate the saints and the Blessed Mother for their individual work that give glory to God with humility and for our benefit. It is being Christians to be thankful and it is just being polite to acknowledge good woork of others which are for the glory of God and sometimes for the benefit of the community.
 
misstherese said:
Also, applause during the mass is not praise given to God. It’s praise given to men.
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This was an unforgettable moment for those who lived it – and the reminder that applause can indeed be the correct and appropriate response in the midst of the Eucharistic synaxis.

 
I think clapping and the liturgy is contextual. Anyways, there are bigger fish to fry.
 
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One of my personal favorites - the priest stood up during Mass, and announced that there had been a renewal of vows scheduled for that Mass, for a 70th wedding anniversary. Unfortunately, the husband had passed suddenly less than 48h prior. The priest gave a short speech on marital commitment, praising the couple’s example, which was followed by a round of applause. Very beautiful.

On the other hand, I don’t care about anyone’s birthday during Mass.
 
I did find a parish where there is more reverence, less clapping, so the degree of clapping as you say rests with the Pastor.
 
If people actually saw Jesus in human flesh form at the Altar, there would be no clapping, no hippy style peace sign to others as they had just received Holy Communion and headed back to their pew. Having attended Latin Mass in my youth and occasionally recently, there is overall less noise, and total focus on His Presence. I have never seen clapping at a Mass done on EWTN.
 
Who better than one of the greatest Saints could give the best instruction for attendees of Mass.
 
At the end of the mass before the concluding hymn, our Archbishop announced the name of the foreign priest and where he came from, who concelebrated with him, and the congregation clapped. It was a nice gesture, perhaps something for him to remember at the warmth reception from our parish.
 
Agreed, that’s a nice gesture and good timing “before the concluding hymn.” Our Pastor does the same.
At the previous parish I attended, with frequent clapping, it opened the door for clapping over minor things like the success of the bazaar. One starts clapping, others join in. There’s also a difference between respectful applause with a smile, and clapping like the home team won.
 
Technically, that is not during Mass, if it is after the final blessing. Recessional hymn is not actually a part of Mass.
 
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Probably African community would not agree with you, in African communities it is hard to imagine the divine service without emotional worship.
 
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To me you are entering into the most holy of holies when you see that cross and the priest who is a representative of Christ is coming down the center aisle. Until the end when he gives his final blessing in the mass is over. To clap or even to hear announcements about this or that, that you could read in the bulletin. Now I am not saying about announcements for prayers for people of the church that are sick or dying.

Clapping is not a big deal I just find it off-putting
 
0104 said:
Clapping is not a big deal I just find it off-putting
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Me, too! I don’t exactly object to it. It’s more of a feeling of being in a spiritual place and suddenly, “Huh, what’s going on?” The clapping sort of brings you back to the world a bit abruptly from the Mass. And at the point when it sometimes (and not often in my Parish) happens, I’m not ready for that yet! It’s usually before the priest’s blessing at the end. It feels like getting interrupted, somehow.
 
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My take is basically yours and St. Pio’s by default. Otherwise I just try to temper my inclination toward irritation or focusing on the applause by deference to pastoral authority and non-assumption of subjective state re: others in that role. Though, it is possible they may be expressing confraternal joy in a disordered manner that may or may not warrant correction, depending on factors I may or may not be aware of in a situation I may not have the grace to affect as a peer congregant lacking pastoral authority during the ceremony. Being inclined like you, and of similar mind, I just avoid clapping period in a Church unless clearly indicated to do so by a pastor.
 
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“Knights” not “Nights” is very important, our wives don’t all like being called “Ladies of the Nights”!
 
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