How do you feel about the Sign of Peace?

[Bearontherun]

I feel a real “boost” after giving the sign of peace. Shaking hands does not bother me at all.

Physical touch can have positive health effects as well, don’t forget.

 

[erine]

St. Francis kissed the leper, “and that which was bitter became sweet.”

And the leper revealed himself as Christ.

Maybe the sign of peace is a challenge to us to reach out and embrace the Christ that is within us all: the Christ we are soon to meet in the Eucharist.

If we can’t greet Christ in the pew next to us, how can we dare consume Christ in the Host?

What I want is to greet my brothers and sisters in Christ in an in depth, sincere way–getting to know them as individuals-- in the parish community outside of mass. Which is why coffee and snacks after are so effective, and other parish events and service opportunities. I prefer not to have an intimate prayer moment wihht Jesus interrupted by being forced to smile and wave at the people who happen to be sitting near me, like a 3 year old being told by her mom to “say hi to the nice lady”

 

[YPat]

I hate it. Not for health reasons.I just find it ‘naff’.

 

[Tighty_Whitey]

I feel a real “boost” after giving the sign of peace. Shaking hands does not bother me at all.

Physical touch can have positive health effects as well, don’t forget.

Me too! I’m really upset by how everyone takes this moment for granted.

 

[Kerry77]

I don’t think people really understand what they are doing/saying.

And hey we have Christmas coming up, when people will start saying “Merry Christmas” to each other, or “Happy Holidays”. Can’t wait!

 

[erine]

Sometimes I just make a sign of Dove! I lace my thumbs Together , and oh so gracefully flutter my hands… It’s nice when I’ve had time to glue white feathers to my hands prior, but it is a bit time consuming…

 

[erine]

Just real quick…does anyone actually think that interrupting deep prayers to shake hands with a stranger for 5 seconds, especially right before the Agnus Dei, is fostering community? How is that in any way comparable to getting to know parishioners personally at parish events, working with them together to serve the poor, etc? The community created at mass is because we are all participating in mass together, the most important prayer on earth. Not because we were forced to shake hands with some folks. Personally I am not going to feel like I’ve bonded with anyone because of it. Maybe bonded over the awkwardness at being treated like children.

As a young child in an episcopal church, I like the sign of the peace because I was usually getting bored of all the serious stuff and wanted a break. what does that say about the effect of it?

I’m sure some people become friends with and get to know people they make the sign of the peace with. My personal experience is that I am less likely to talk to someone outside of mass that I had to awkwardly greet during the peace. I don’t mean I avoid them, it just makes things awkward and hey, we already greeted during mass, right, so why bother now? Using this gesture and symbol of community as a replacement for actual community is shameful I think.

 

[erine]

The rubric says that we should offer each other a sign of peace in keeping with local tradition and culture. In English speaking countries that usually means shaking hands. Perhaps during colds and flu outbreaks, we should adopt the Japanese bow

I once went to a Mass in the South of France where there were six female altar servers aged around 15. At the peace, they all shook hands with the priest, kissed each other and then went to where their families were sitting and exchanged kisses with everyone there. They then prowled around the church leaping upon any young men who took their fancy (fortunately, elderly Englishmen were exempt). I suppose this is what is meant by local tradition and culture.

 

[Windmill]

Suppose there were a groiup of Christians praying together, or at Mass. At any point in this activity Jesus Christ appeared in front of them all as He appeared to the apostles. Maybe he walked through the wall, or simply materialized before everyone’s eyes and He said to them what He said to Mary Magdalene at His Resuerrection, “Peace be with you”.

What does everyone think would be the congregation’s response? Would they fall on their knees and adore Him as the shepherds and magi? Would they sing out some high praise? Might they be struck speechless?

How many people think the congregation would all turn to one another and shake hands and say peace be with you, hello, how are you, good to see you, how’s the family? Would they turn their back on Him to greet the person behind them?

Our senses may fail us, but faith says this is exactly what happens at Mass. Right at that moment we start shaking hands and greeting one another. It is no surprise that so many Catholics have lost faith in the Real Presence.

Suppose two people were walking down the street, a lay person and the parish priest. They turn the corner and there is Jesus standing right in front of them. The lay person turns to his priest and asks him for his prieslty blessing. How many people think that might happen?

Suppose the two are lay people and one is an extraordinary eucharistic minister. They encounter Jesus and…

Now we come to receiving approaching Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament in the Communion line. A person who does not want to receive approaches the priest or extraordinary minister lay person. There he is in the presence of Jesus and the minister gives him a pat on the head, his SPECIAL blessing.

After a half dozen or dozen head rubs of all those too young to receive and others, a person in line comes forward and the minister puts his hand in the chalice and gives the communicant the Host on the tongue.

Imagine being in a restaurant and the waitress is coming with your food. She stops at several tables and pats the kids on the head, then puts her hand in a basket of some food and puts it on your plate.

Is any of this special blessing stuff in the rubrics? I am not a germaphobe. Does this sound a bit unsanitary?

I can’t believe this thread is still going on. jmcrae is now unofficially dubbed" SoP Guy"

Even with all the liturgical law citations which clearly answer this question of omitting the SoP, I think the above quote gets to the heart of the matter. Let’s not major on minor things here. The focus is Christ who has now come into our midst. The priest, in persona Christ, offers us Christ’s peace, and that is more critical than shaking hands with people in a symbolic gesture.

 

[triumphguy]

Just for the record: if the rules of the Church were that I had to crawl to the altar on my stomach, and lick the floor as I did so in order to receive the Eucharist I would.

However, as things are I believe the SoP is a valuable/necessary part of the Mass.

On the other hand - I’m not for group hugs, high fives, arms held high, yelling across the aisle or anything other than a decorous and dignified SoP. And when I’m sick I fold my hands and bow to the other person.

 

[jmcrae]

The option for the faithful to extent a sign of peace to each other is certainly optional, as as pointed out by others, is legitimated excluded from Mass by the celebrant or deacon.

On weekdays, the priest may omit it, certainly. However, if the priest chooses not to omit it, you the lay person cannot “opt out” of it and still consider yourself to be participating fully at Mass - the option (on weekdays) is the priest’s option - not yours.

For someone who is big on obedience, I think this is something to take note of.

 

[Brendan]

On weekdays, the priest may omit it, certainly. However, if the priest chooses not to omit it, you the lay person cannot “opt out” of it and still consider yourself to be participating fully at Mass - the option (on weekdays) is the priest’s option - not yours.

For someone who is big on obedience, I think this is something to take note of.

It is optional at all Masses, not just on weekdays.

Note GIRM 154

1. Then the Priest, with hands extended, says aloud the prayer Domine Iesu Christe, qui dixisti (Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your Apostles) and when it is concluded, extending and then joining his hands, he announces the greeting of peace, facing the people and saying, The peace of the Lord be with you always. The people reply, And with your spirit. After this, if appropriate, the Priest adds, Let us offer each other the sign of peace.

Where did you get the idea that this only applies to weekday Masses

If the priest DOES decide to add a public expression, I agree that I would be obligated to follow GIRM 82 and offer an approved sign of peace to the person who is nearest to me. Since the USCCB has approved " a handshake, nod or other gesture", I would be fully compliant with the bishop’s wished in giving a nod of the head to the person nearest me.

. 82 There follows the Rite of Peace, by which the Church entreats peace and unity for herself and for the whole human family, and the faithful express to each other their ecclesial communion and mutual charity before communicating in the Sacrament.

As for the actual sign of peace to be given, the manner is to be established by the Conferences of Bishops in accordance with the culture and customs of the peoples. However, it is appropriate that each person, in a sober manner, offer the sign of peace only to those who are nearest.

In fact, it would be a matter of disobedience to give this gesture to those who are NOT the nearest to me, would it not?

 

[triumphguy]

What does :“if appropriate” mean? Our Bishop deems that it is appropriate at all Sunday Masses.

 

[Brendan]

What does :“if appropriate” mean? Our Bishop deems that it is appropriate at all Sunday Masses.

It’s always the decision of the celebrant.

 

[triumphguy]

Not entirely: it’s not an arbitrary decision is it? It’s with reference to the pastoral needs of the assembly. And if the bishop says…, which our bishop does, then it’s not really up to the celebrant.

 

[grandfather]

Touching anyone is not required. Put you hand up in the air at the on-set, and all will know you perfer not to shake hands.

Do you receive the Blood of Christ from the Chalice? So what are you saying, you would rather not to do this also, because other’s drank from the same cup.

Peace

Gary,

When visiting a Latin Rite parish I never receive from the cup. It is not concern about germs, but it is unnecessary.

The priest refers to the offering made as a holy and living sacrifice.

The priest separates the elements, bread and wine, on the altar signifying the death of Christ. Blood is seen as the life of the body. When the blood is removed from the body, separated, it signifies Christ’s death.

When he puts a piece of the Host into the chalice comingling the two it signifies Resurrection, the life returning.

In the Eastern Divine Liturgies one chalice contains comingled elements. The body and blood are received at the same time.

In the west when you receive the Host you receive all of Jesus, body, blood, soul and diviniity. I realize this and so receiving twice, once the Host, then the cup, makes it seem to me that I am receiving the Body and Blood separated, still signifying death.

Others may not look at it that way, or be aware of any of the theology behind the actions on the altar. In the ancient Mass the people never received from the cup, or maybe once a year on Holy Thursday, if I recall correctly.

 

[jmcrae]

I can’t believe this thread is still going on. jmcrae is now unofficially dubbed" SoP Guy"

That’s hilarious!

Even with all the liturgical law citations which clearly answer this question of omitting the SoP, I think the above quote gets to the heart of the matter. Let’s not major on minor things here. The focus is Christ who has now come into our midst. The priest, in persona Christ, offers us Christ’s peace, and that is more critical than shaking hands with people in a symbolic gesture.

My main point is that it’s not up to us. All of this stuff about germs (which seems to be an excuse for something else, since there are way more germs in the Holy Water after everyone has put their hands in it) and being terrified of shaking hands just makes me shake my head - how do these same people get through their business day without shaking hands with strangers?

This came to us from the Apostles, and St. Paul (who was surely a “man’s man” - there was nothing sissy-like about him) encourages it. The Church today encourages it. In obedience, we should “just do it.”

 

[jmcrae]

In fact, it would be a matter of disobedience to give this gesture to those who are NOT the nearest to me, would it not?

Right - now you’re getting it!

NOBODY is suggesting that you get out of your place and wander around the building. Simply make a normal sign of peace to those around you.

I have no idea why you don’t want to shake hands - people do it in business deals all the time, with people who aren’t even Christians, so I don’t understand why shaking hands with a fellow Christian is such a traumatic thing - but if all you can muster is a nod of the head, then that’s fine, too.

 

[Brendan]

Right - now you’re getting it!

I’ve always ‘got it’ But ‘nearest’ would be my immediate rigtht and left, with the possibilty of directly infront and behind. Anyone is would not be ‘nearest’, would it not

I have no idea why you don’t want to shake hands -

Where did I claim that I don’t. Rather, I understand and respect those who do not. And multiple options are availble (at least here in the US), so one person can simply nod to another and no one should think anything of it, correct?

On the point of education and ‘getting it’, do you now accept that there is no command of Christ mandating this ( for it is NOT a sign of reconcilliation between each other) and that it is optional at any Mass for the priest to call for this sign amongst the faithful?

 

[veilofveronica]

I’m going to be a Catholic “Scrooge” here and say that I don’t like the Sign of Peace. I find it silly and disruptive…it seems to detract from the rest of the Mass and it’s just too “touchy-feely” for my tastes. I don’t worry about germs (I mean, you shake hands in North American society as a greeting norm, and you can always…politely and in private, hopefully…sanitize them later…), but I find the whole thing just ridiculous. I think that answering the priest with “…And with your Spirit” should speak for the whole congregation and then we should move on with the rest of the Mass.
But then again, I’m not a demonstrative person by nature!