Hand Gestures during Mass

[lissa70]

I read somewhere that the GIRM (General Instructions of the Roman Missal) does not permit liturgical dance. I probably am splitting hairs, but is it permissible to do hand gestures during songs? What about if the gestures are sign language (that is to say that the whole congregation is “performing” the sign language? And what about clapping to the beat? Our choir director does all these things to get the congregation “into” the music. Though I love to dance to music, I personally feel a little strange doing all these things at Mass. However, if it is permissible, then I would be more inclined to participate.

 

[FrCorey]

I read somewhere that the GIRM (General Instructions of the Roman Missal) does not permit liturgical dance. I probably am splitting hairs, but is it permissible to do hand gestures during songs? What about if the gestures are sign language (that is to say that the whole congregation is “performing” the sign language? And what about clapping to the beat? Our choir director does all these things to get the congregation “into” the music. Though I love to dance to music, I personally feel a little strange doing all these things at Mass. However, if it is permissible, then I would be more inclined to participate.

no, the mass is NOT a show, it is worship to our creator.

 

[benedictgal]

I read somewhere that the GIRM (General Instructions of the Roman Missal) does not permit liturgical dance. I probably am splitting hairs, but is it permissible to do hand gestures during songs? What about if the gestures are sign language (that is to say that the whole congregation is “performing” the sign language? And what about clapping to the beat? Our choir director does all these things to get the congregation “into” the music. Though I love to dance to music, I personally feel a little strange doing all these things at Mass. However, if it is permissible, then I would be more inclined to participate.

Absolutely not. The Mass is not about making things more entertaining. If the Holy Sacrifice is not enough to impress upon our souls the deep love that the Triune God has for us, then we have completely missed the boat.

Please read this explanation about Active Participation as interpreted by the Secretary to the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Archbishop Malcolm Ranjith:

Actuosa Participatio
The pope, in his book The Spirit of the Liturgy, defines actuosa participatio as a call to a total assimilation in the very action of Christ the High Priest. It is in no way a call to activism, a misunderstanding that spread widely in the aftermath of Sacrosanctum Concilium. Stated Cardinal Ratzinger: “what does it [active participation] mean…? Unfortunately the word was very quickly misunderstood to mean something external, entailing a need for general activity, as if as many people as possible, as often as possible, should be visibly engaged in action” (The Spirit of the Liturgy, 2000, San Francisco: Ignatius Press, p. 171).

We know that in many places this led to the amalgamation of the sanctuary with the assembly, the clericalization of the laity and the filling up of the sanctuary with the noisy and distracting presence of a large number of people. One could say that virtually Wall Street moved into the sanctuary. But was that really what the Council Fathers advocated? Cardinal Ratzinger does not think so. For him, “the real ‘action’ in the liturgy in which we are all supposed to participate is the action of God Himself. This is what is new and distinctive about Christian liturgy: God Himself acts and does what is essential” (ibid, p. 173).

This kind of participation in the very action of Christ, the High Priest, requires from us nothing less than an attitude of being totally absorbed in Him. Says the cardinal “the point is that, ultimately, the difference between the actio Christi and our own action is done away with. There is only one action, which is at the same time His and ours — ours because we have become ‘one body and one spirit ‘with Him” (ibid p. 174).

Active participation, thus, is not a giving way to any activism but an integral and total assimilation into the person of Christ who is truly the High Priest of that eternal and uninterrupted celebration of the heavenly liturgy.

The Council’s Constitution on the Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, too, as we know, spoke of this when it defined liturgy further as a foretaste of the “heavenly liturgy which is celebrated in the Holy City of Jerusalem towards which we journey as pilgrims, and in which Christ is sitting at the right hand of God, a minister of the sanctuary and of the true Tabernacle” (cf. Rev. 21:2; Col. 3:1; Heb. 8:2)-(SC 8).

Hence, everything we do should help us to achieve that and that alone is the true meaning of the “participatio”: a taking part in a bigger actio. Participatio itself is, I would say, in this sense, an ars [art] where we ourselves are not the artists; neither do we follow an art taught or handed down to us by others, but allow the Lord to be the artist through us, becoming part of what He does. As far as we are concerned, it is participatio in the order of “esse” — being. All that we do in liturgy makes us achieve that union with the eternal high priest, Christ and His sanctifying offering. The more we become part of the oratio of Christ, His eternal self-offering to God as the expiatory Sacrificial Lamb (Rev. 14:1-5), so much more would it be able to transform us into the Logos and make us experience the redeeming effects of such a transformation. Without that, as Cardinal Ratzinger wrote, we would radically misunderstand the “theo-drama” of the liturgy, lapsing into mere parody (cf. ibid p. 175).

The only time that “hand signs” would be justified would be if there is a genuine need, such as for the deaf and hearing impaired.

 

[corsair]

Congratulations for speaking up about the hand signs, Fr C and Benedictgal. I’ve seen more strange gestures and positions of the hands when I go to various NO Masses.

I have been spared “liturgical dance” however. But being a “trad” I’m not sure why I posted here.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I read somewhere that the GIRM (General Instructions of the Roman Missal) does not permit liturgical dance. I probably am splitting hairs, but is it permissible to do hand gestures during songs? What about if the gestures are sign language (that is to say that the whole congregation is “performing” the sign language? And what about clapping to the beat? Our choir director does all these things to get the congregation “into” the music. Though I love to dance to music, I personally feel a little strange doing all these things at Mass. However, if it is permissible, then I would be more inclined to participate.

This is partly why there is a new list of approved Liturgical music due out soon.

 

[jhcooper]

I have to ask what I have asked myself, ie, why would any young man want to be a priest and say Mass to people who attend to be entertained instead of giving thanks for the Eucharist?

The solution to the Church’s problem is more Catholicism not more feel-good Protestantism.

 

[lissa70]

Thank you Br. Rich for that information on the approved music that is due out soon. It gives me new hope.

 

[Lux_et_Tenebrae]

Hi,

Charismatic style worship includes high praise, hands raised, and clapping. CCR is an approved movement of the Catholic Church. Certainly anyone may choose not to attend this style Mass, but it is definitely allowed.

In a book called ‘God and the World’ in which journalist Peter Seewald, interviewed pope Benedict, who was then Cardinal Ratzinger, the Cardinal, who was head of the Congregation of the Doctrine of Faith, talked about the Church’s need for ongoing renewal. He said, ‘She {the Church} does certainly need outbreaks of living spirituality. Forms of that kind, in which a new passion for faith emerges that is not politically contrived but has developed from within, have been important for the Church in every age. We have seen how in the 16th century the renewal did not come from institutional authority but through people who were gripped by God and created new movements. This is happening today in a great variety of forms - the charismatic movement is one of them - and this is, you might say, the consolation the Lord sends us by showing that the Holy Spirit is present and still powerful’.

Lux

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Hi,

Charismatic style worship includes high praise, hands raised, and clapping. CCR is an approved movement of the Catholic Church. Certainly anyone may choose not to attend this style Mass, but it is definitely allowed.

In a book called ‘God and the World’ in which journalist Peter Seewald, interviewed pope Benedict, who was then Cardinal Ratzinger, the Cardinal, who was head of the Congregation of the Doctrine of Faith, talked about the Church’s need for ongoing renewal. He said, ‘She {the Church} does certainly need outbreaks of living spirituality. Forms of that kind, in which a new passion for faith emerges that is not politically contrived but has developed from within, have been important for the Church in every age. We have seen how in the 16th century the renewal did not come from institutional authority but through people who were gripped by God and created new movements. This is happening today in a great variety of forms - the charismatic movement is one of them - and this is, you might say, the consolation the Lord sends us by showing that the Holy Spirit is present and still powerful’.

Lux

Pope Benedict has time and time again reminded us that the celebration of Mass is NOT a form of entertainment and nothing should give this impression.

 

[benedictgal]

Pope Benedict has time and time again reminded us that the celebration of Mass is NOT a form of entertainment and nothing should give this impression.

That is quite true. In fact, the Constitution of the Sacred Liturgy does not allow for anyone, not even the priest, to make any changes to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

Unfortunately, there are some movements that have taken it upon themselves to add things into the Mass that do not belong there. CCR, LIfeTeen and the Neocatechumenal Movement are three such examples. The Holy See came down on them, most recently the Neocatechumenal Movement, for these “innovations”.

The Mass is not the personal property of any individual or movement. While these movements are approved by the Church, they are not permitted to deviate from the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The one concession that the Holy See gave the Neocatechumenal Way was to move the sign of peace to before the offertory.

It’s interesting that there are those who would quote the Holy Father to justify the ilicit liturgical practices employed by movements. Pope Benedict simply noted that these movements were allowed to help the Church flourish, but, he was not condoning ilicit practices that sprung up from these groups.

 

[Lux_et_Tenebrae]

Pope Benedict has time and time again reminded us that the celebration of Mass is NOT a form of entertainment and nothing should give this impression.

Both Popes Benedict and John Paul II have presided over celebrations of the movements with the high praise and worship which some may consider entertainment, but in fact it is worship. If joyful praise is wrong, we must rework all the Christmas & Easter Services.

Fr Cantalamessa, who is preacher to both Papal households is very Charismatic in worship style. As I said, many here may not choose to attend these Masses, but they definitely are authentic Catholic worship.

Lux

 

[benedictgal]

There is some misunderstanding here. One can certainly have a high regard for a movement, as Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI have noted. However, that is not to say that their liturgical practices are up to par. Pope Benedict XVI extolled the good fruits that the Neocatechumenal Way has produced. At the same time, however, he reigned in their ilicit liturgical practices.

Indults, as far as I know, have not been granted to allow the movements to make wholesale deviations from the Mass. The Mass is not our own personal property (let alone any movements’) that we can cobble up and shape as we please. The Church has already given us the rubrics and the norms to follow. Who are we to change that?

 

[OraProNobisIHM]

Hi,

Charismatic style worship includes high praise, hands raised, and clapping. CCR is an approved movement of the Catholic Church. Certainly anyone may choose not to attend this style Mass, but it is definitely allowed.

In a book called ‘God and the World’ in which journalist Peter Seewald, interviewed pope Benedict, who was then Cardinal Ratzinger, the Cardinal, who was head of the Congregation of the Doctrine of Faith, talked about the Church’s need for ongoing renewal. He said, ‘She {the Church} does certainly need outbreaks of living spirituality. Forms of that kind, in which a new passion for faith emerges that is not politically contrived but has developed from within, have been important for the Church in every age. We have seen how in the 16th century the renewal did not come from institutional authority but through people who were gripped by God and created new movements. This is happening today in a great variety of forms - the charismatic movement is one of them - and this is, you might say, the consolation the Lord sends us by showing that the Holy Spirit is present and still powerful’.

Lux

As Bro. Rich says…

Then Card. Ratzinger mentioned NOTHING about messing with the Mass.

 

[Lux_et_Tenebrae]

As Bro. Rich says…

Then Card. Ratzinger mentioned NOTHING about messing with the Mass.

This is not about “messsing with the Mass”. It is about lay posture and music. Certainly we all have our preference, but Charismatic style worship is allowed, and even encouraged by the Catholic Church. There was always a Mass celebrated during the conference for the movements, and it was quite lively. (you can check on the Vatican website) As I said, those who don’t like this style can choose to stay away, but not to tell anyone it is forbidden.

Lux

 

[stjosephtomasi]

Fr. James Farfaglia covers this topic well on his website. Click on http://www.fjicthus.com, then click on “the Catholic Mass”, then scroll down to roman numeral V. That section deals with bodily gestures and hand motions.

 

[tampagrl]

This is not about “messsing with the Mass”. It is about lay posture and music. Certainly we all have our preference, but Charismatic style worship is allowed, and even encouraged by the Catholic Church. There was always a Mass celebrated during the conference for the movements, and it was quite lively. (you can check on the Vatican website) As I said, those who don’t like this style can choose to stay away, but not to tell anyone it is forbidden.

Lux

I think there’s a time and place for everything. Charismatic style worship (not in the presence of the Eucharist) may be fine in the Parish center after Mass, but I really don’t think it’s appropriate in the context of a Mass.
I mean, it’s called the “Holy Sacrifice of the Mass” for a reason. The name itself denotes a sincere reverance, a calm, a quiet, a reflective state of being.

I went to a Mass once that turned out to be a Life Teen thing. I didn’t know it before we went. At first it was reminiscent of my Protestant days, and even as my husband squirmed beside me out of irritation, I was like, let’s give this a chance. But when young women started dancing in front of the altar, and the Priest called in his DOG to show all the kids, I pretty much figured it was time to go.

I think the point’s been made by others who are much more educated in this area than I am. I just wanted to share that story w/you b/c it was a really bad situation. I’m always one to try to see both sides, but when you start to change things, it’s a slippery slope Looks like we may have to agree to disagree.

 

[benedictgal]

As Bro. Rich says…

Then Card. Ratzinger mentioned NOTHING about messing with the Mass.

Nor did Pope John Paul II. In fact, he was the one who promulgated Redemptionis Sacrament, the authoritative document of the Church (also signed off on by the-Cardinal Ratzinger) concerning liturgical abuse.

 

[benedictgal]

I think there’s a time and place for everything. Charismatic style worship (not in the presence of the Eucharist) may be fine in the Parish center after Mass, but I really don’t think it’s appropriate in the context of a Mass.
I mean, it’s called the “Holy Sacrifice of the Mass” for a reason. The name itself denotes a sincere reverance, a calm, a quiet, a reflective state of being.

I went to a Mass once that turned out to be a Life Teen thing. I didn’t know it before we went. At first it was reminiscent of my Protestant days, and even as my husband squirmed beside me out of irritation, I was like, let’s give this a chance. But when young women started dancing in front of the altar, and the Priest called in his DOG to show all the kids, I pretty much figured it was time to go.

I think the point’s been made by others who are much more educated in this area than I am. I just wanted to share that story w/you b/c it was a really bad situation. I’m always one to try to see both sides, but when you start to change things, it’s a slippery slope Looks like we may have to agree to disagree.

Movements certainly exist in the Church. For the most part, they do great things. Howvever, they are not given carte blanche with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, which is, unfortunately, what you have experienced.

Even the Directory for Masses with Children (which, I understand is going to go through a long revision–and hopefully, disappear), while making certain allowances for things, does not allow for a wholesale revision of the Mass. If you want to do hand-movements, save it for a non-liturgical event such as a prayer meeting or a retreat talk. This should not occur during the Mass, unless there are provisions made for the hearing impaired, since the liturgy will be translated into sign language.

 

[Lux_et_Tenebrae]

I think there’s a time and place for everything. Charismatic style worship (not in the presence of the Eucharist) may be fine in the Parish center after Mass, but I really don’t think it’s appropriate in the context of a Mass.
I mean, it’s called the “Holy Sacrifice of the Mass” for a reason. The name itself denotes a sincere reverance, a calm, a quiet, a reflective state of being.

I went to a Mass once that turned out to be a Life Teen thing. I didn’t know it before we went. At first it was reminiscent of my Protestant days, and even as my husband squirmed beside me out of irritation, I was like, let’s give this a chance. But when young women started dancing in front of the altar, and the Priest called in his DOG to show all the kids, I pretty much figured it was time to go.

I think the point’s been made by others who are much more educated in this area than I am. I just wanted to share that story w/you b/c it was a really bad situation. I’m always one to try to see both sides, but when you start to change things, it’s a slippery slope Looks like we may have to agree to disagree.

I am speaking of the high praise of Charismatic style worship, nothing like what you describe. This is approved by the Catholic Church. One of the options for music is
(from the GIRM) (4) a suitable liturgical song similarly approved by the Conference of Bishops or the Diocesan Bishop.55
Most bishops are very aware of the music in their churches.

And there are very few specific instructions for posture of the laity. The bottom line is that a Charismatic style Mass is not forbidden. Also we are given specific instructions how to handle a perceived abuse. First ask the celebrant or Pastor, and if there is no satisfactory response, contact the Bishop. I doubt any Bishop would agree that Charismatic hymns or posture of the laity are issues which require his attention, but you are certainly free to contact your Bishop.

Lux

 

[lissa70]

What about the clapping? That is, is there any formal document that states that it is specifically permitted or forbidden when singing whether it be songs or the sung Alleluia (before the Gospel) or the sung Amen (at the conclusion of the Eucharistic Prayer)? Sorry if it sounds so nitty gritty. I just don’t want to do it if it is specifically forbidden or discouraged.