Hold the Applause: Confessions of a Conflicted Clapper

[Joe_Kelley]

Applause at mass brings to my mind the image of Mary and John applauding at the crucifixion and shouting “Encore”; and Jesus asking for a round of applause for all the “little” people who made His performance possible.

 

[johnnykins]

Fr Groeschel said we could do it.,
,
,
,
,as long as we only use one hand.

ahhhhh!!! the famous Zen koan

Who would’ve thought that Fr G was Zenish

 

[johnnykins]

There was once spontaneous applause, after our priest’s final homily of his career. His retirement coincided with Luke 10:25-37.
He told a story about how every re-assingment of his forty years happened on the exact same Gospel reading, and talked about his years as a priest, encouraged vocations.

He had to cut his homily short so neither he nor us would break into tears (and it was pretty close, let me tell you). The chruch broke out in heartfelt applause-not the type when you just do it to be nice, this was nearly a roar. Again, to avoid the waterworks, he launched right into the Profession of Faith (and again, we almost didn’t make it).

But that’s a different situation then what you’re talking about, I just wanted to share it.

The fist time I hear applause at Mass (other than TV footage from Rome of the Pope) was when Cardinal Cushing entered Holy Cross Cathedral at the installation of his successor. It seemed appropriate at the time.

Like so many things - something loses its value when there is too much of it. Applause for a retiring pastor, nun, deacon, etc., - as an expression of love and respect - it’s appropriate. Every week, kindergarten graduations, the soloist finally hitting that high C that’s been so elusive, etc., - those are not.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Applause at mass brings to my mind the image of Mary and John applauding at the crucifixion and shouting “Encore”; and Jesus asking for a round of applause for all the “little” people who made His performance possible.

You can’t be serious.

Jim

 

[Pro_Domina]

That is ridiculous.

You obviously don’t clap during the Canon.

That Consecration is that part of the Mass when the sacrifice is renewed, not before.

That is pretty pharisiacal. I mean don’t you feel enthused when a bishop announces that in this very ceremony the Holy Church will have new sons in the priesthood?

Not clapping would be the most cold protestant thing ever.

By friend, you have caught that protestant way of thinking.

I mean consider this, during the satanical event in history called the French Revolution, Marie Antoniette came out to greet an angry mob and as soon as everyone saw her they could do no other thing but clap. Now if this is a demon infested mob that feels that filial enthusiasm for their queen, how much more for when the Holy Father enters the church?

Even the most rad trad, anti-clerical sedevacantists feel emotional.

Again not clapping is being a typical cold american protestant.

 

[pmoo]

I’m very surprised that people are clapping during the mass. We always applaud the choir at the end of the service - after the priests have already left. We occasionally clap at other times, but it’s not during the liturgy of the word or the homily. When our pastor mentions good news about our building fund, we applaud. If he brings up a couple who’ve been married for 1/2 a century, we applaud, but I’m trying to figure out when applause could even fit in to the actual liturgy or homily.

 

[Lepanto]

When the bishop proclaims that the candidates for ordination have been accepted and that the ordination will proceed, it is actually rude not to clap.

To my knowledge, there are only two instances when the rubrics actually call for applause in Mass: the one you mentioned and when a bishop officially takes over a diocese. Other than that clapping would be inappropriate or a liturgical abuse.

 

[benedictgal]

To my knowledge, there are only two instances when the rubrics actually call for applause in Mass: the one you mentioned and when a bishop officially takes over a diocese. Other than that clapping would be inappropriate or a liturgical abuse.

Of course, there is also the even rarer occasion when a diocese is erected. When the Diocese of Laredo was formally erected, the Papal Nuncio read the decree and all of us applauded. Of course, the erection of a new diocese is not something that occurs very often. It can be a once-in-a-lifetime expereine. Although, for me, this was the second time I had ever witnessed one. My father was part of the 4th Degree KC honor guard that served at the Mass for the erectoin of the Diocese of Nuevo Laredo (Mexico) and the installation of its first bishop.

 

[Pro_Domina]

To my knowledge, there are only two instances when the rubrics actually call for applause in Mass: the one you mentioned and when a bishop officially takes over a diocese. Other than that clapping would be inappropriate or a liturgical abuse.

Liturgical abuse?

LOL.

Lighten up my friend.

That is too mechanical. I am all for military precision for the liturgy, but that is an extreme thing to call clapping.

Only in the US would find someone say that.
Too much protestant coldness.

 

[benedictgal]

Liturgical abuse?

LOL.

Lighten up my friend.

That is too mechanical. I am all for military precision for the liturgy, but that is an extreme thing to call clapping.

Only in the US would find someone say that.
Too much protestant coldness.

Weren’t you the one who said that random clapping was bad?

Is it really protestant coldness to have sobriety and dignity in the Mass? The protestants don’t have the Holy Sacrifice. We do. That is why while they are all about scriptures and singing and feeling good, we are about the sublime Sensus Fidei that Jesus entrusted to His Church.

Other than the appropriate reasons indicated, clapping is superficial and indicates that we are concerned with ourselves and not the Wholly Other.

 

[Pro_Domina]

Yeah but if you think 3 occasions are the only CANNONICUS ET RECTUS LITURGICAE, PLUS ULTRA CONDEMNTATA EST

then my friend you are on the wrong path.

I mean just for ceremonial reasons there are some, like giving of the keys in the Dedication of a Church, etc.

That way of thinking about the liturgy is deeply American, with all due respect. Americans are tendencially cold, and the liturgies when influenced by this error are the same way. It could be a pontifical high mass on Christmas Eve and it could have no grace because of that mechanical coldness.
The GIRM is a handrail to sanctity, not a staircase.

Plus, it isn’t even against the liturgical rules.

 

[Lepanto]

Yeah but if you think 3 occasions are the only CANNONICUS ET RECTUS LITURGICAE, PLUS ULTRA CONDEMNTATA EST

then my friend you are on the wrong path.

I mean just for ceremonial reasons there are some, like giving of the keys in the Dedication of a Church, etc.

That way of thinking about the liturgy is deeply American, with all due respect. Americans are tendencially cold, and the liturgies when influenced by this error are the same way. It could be a pontifical high mass on Christmas Eve and it could have no grace because of that mechanical coldness.
The GIRM is a handrail to sanctity, not a staircase.

Plus, it isn’t even against the liturgical rules.

Then would you also say that a congregation doing the wave is acceptable because “it isn’t even against the liturgical rules”?

youtube.com/watch?v=2YND7D9YrFw

If not, why not?

 

[Pro_Domina]

Do you know what is the meaning of being square?

Well in the practice you sure do.

 

[otjm]

surely clapping for the newly married after the mass has ended should be appropriate.

Well, it is technically after the Mass, so technically, the rule about no applause during the Mass does not apply.

But for those who do not like it, you will probably get the retort that they want to spend some time in prayer after Mass and it is disruptive, and after all, it is in Church and applause is not a sacred act, and therefore is banned.

Thank heavens God has a sense of humor…

 

[jmcrae]

surely clapping for the newly married after the mass has ended should be appropriate.

As I understand it, clapping in Church is reserved to recognize those who have just received a new Sacrament, or to recognize a change in status (for example, if a priest is elevated to become a Bishop, or if a new Bishop is installed in the Diocese) - this would certainly include a newly married couple.

This clapping is not to signify praise, but rather, to signify recognition of the new status of the individual within the community.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

To my knowledge, there are only two instances when the rubrics actually call for applause in Mass: the one you mentioned and when a bishop officially takes over a diocese. Other than that clapping would be inappropriate or a liturgical abuse.

And at the RCIA Rite of Sending when the catechumens and candidates are approved by the parish and sent to the Bishop.

 

[Lepanto]

And at the RCIA Rite of Sending when the catechumens and candidates are approved by the parish and sent to the Bishop.

That makes it three. Thank you.

 

[reff]

I agree that there are certain occasions that call for applause. Like today at 11:00 mass, there was an infant baptized, and Father asked us to welcome this new infant into our family, we applauded. BUT I will admit that our Pastor does like to clap, the 11:00 mass is one of those infamous “Guitar Masses” and during the recessional hymn Father started clapping along to the music, and the congregation joined in. grrrr.:tsktsk:

 

[Lepanto]

BUT I will admit that our Pastor does like to clap, the 11:00 mass is one of those infamous “Guitar Masses” and during the recessional hymn Father started clapping along to the music, and the congregation joined in. grrrr.:tsktsk:

I think he needs to start reading some of Pope Benedict’s writings on the liturgy.

 

[reff]

I think he needs to start reading some of Pope Benedict’s writings on the liturgy.

I agree, he does this almost every week during the recessional hymn as they’re walking out. Last week we sang “Our God is an Awesome God” for our recessional hymn (ugh…), and of course Father and the band members started clapping along with the music, than the congregation sees Father clapping so they all joined.