How extensive is your Church's sign of peace?

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No set rule. Dependent on the culture. For instance, in Thailand, Thai Catholics do not touch each other physically, they “wai” each other. This is their culture’s sign of respectful greeting. In Vietnam, they will just say it to each other, not shake hands. And so forth. If you’re in a foreign country for vacation or work and you attend Mass there, it’s okay to take your cue from the locals.
 
By Catholic Answers Forums standards, my parish could probably be described as excessive when it comes to the sign of peace. People tend to try and great everyone who is within about 3 steps of where they are located. A few go seeking friends and family who are seated farther away.
 
Agree. And I think where people are still looking for hands to shake or waving across the nave after the Agnus Dei has already started, it’s gone on too long.
I nod and smile and murmur a soft Pax Christi left and right. If they people in front of me turn around, I give them the same. No hand shaking, no small talk.
In some parishes it’s sedate and brief. In others…
Whatever Protestants do, that’s their business.
 
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Seems to me a Mass needs a validly consecrated Eucharist. Though they’re free to call it one.
 
Here’s how it is supposed to be in the Catholic Mass:
As for the sign of peace to be given, the manner is to be established by Conferences of Bishops in accordance with the culture and customs of the peoples. It is, however, appropriate that each person offer the sign of peace only to those who are nearest and in a sober manner.
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http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/c...cdds_doc_20030317_ordinamento-messale_en.html

In 2014, the CDW issued a letter addressing the sign of peace. It elabroated on the bolded part as follows:
c) In any case, it will be necessary, at the time of the exchange of peace, to definitively avoid abuses such as:
– the introduction of a “song for peace,” which is non-existent in the Roman Rite.9
– the movement of the faithful from their places to exchange the sign of peace amongst themselves.
– the departure of the priest from the altar in order to give the sign of peace to some of the faithful.
– that in certain circumstances, such as at the Solemnity of Easter or of Christmas, or during ritual
celebrations such as Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Matrimony, Sacred Ordinations,
Religious Professions, and Funerals, the exchange of peace being the occasion for expressing
congratulations, best wishes or condolences among those present.10
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If you have peace in a world of sin. I’d then question people live under an illusion. Wherefore sin exists, grace abounds evermore. Not peace, but grace.
 
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