Is clapping okay after the priest declares that the mass is over?

[slh3016]

I
I agree. Satan loves the constant bickering among ourselves. Every ounce of energy and minute of time we spend on these silly debates is an ounce and minute we don’t have to evangelize the culture, to pray and develop a closer relationship with the Lord Jesus, etcetera.

These debates often remind me of James and John arguing about who was the greatest.

The most important advice I can give you as priest is this: do not allow these rigid people to lead you down the path of rigidity and legalism. You are uncomfortable for good reason: because they are wholly wrong…(snip)

You say that you have a good and holy priest…follow him and not these rigid people. These are the sorts of people who see liturgical abuse lurking everywhere. Such people are to be shunned, frankly.

In short, you would do far better to be formed by your own parish priest and to follow your parish community and its ethos than these very unfortunate people with whom you fell in with.

Thank you both for these words. This is what I felt in my heart of hearts and gives me a solid basis to discuss this further with my son. It left me with a sinking feeling that one day, he might just reject Catholicism as a whole if he continued to encounter such rigidity and legalism. We already have to deal with our Protestant family and that’s hard enough

In any event, if this is a priest who is helping out, under whatever title, without being either the parish priest or a parochial vicar then, yes, all the more so gratitude and appreciation should be shown since he is generously helping out your priests when he could be elsewhere.

Yes, I know our priests appreciate his help.

Oh, most definitely my anniversary of ordination. That relates to my priesthood. My birthday on the other hand is something I keep much more private and that is quite personal.

My son reminded me after I posted this that not only were we clapping for one Father’s birthday, that we were also clapping for another’s ordination anniversary which happened to be on the same date.

Again, thank you to everyone that replied. My heart is comforted and reassured and I feel confident that we are being led by a good and holy priest and that I don’t have to constantly worry that we are doing something wrong.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

Thank you both for these words. This is what I felt in my heart of hearts and gives me a solid basis to discuss this further with my son. It left me with a sinking feeling that one day, he might just reject Catholicism as a whole if he continued to encounter such rigidity and legalism.

You are very welcome, to be sure.

My son reminded me after I posted this that not only were we clapping for one Father’s birthday, that we were also clapping for another’s ordination anniversary which happened to be on the same date.

Again, thank you to everyone that replied. My heart is comforted and reassured and I feel confident that we are being led by a good and holy priest and that I don’t have to constantly worry that we are doing something wrong.

Your son seems to have a very good head on his shoulders, from what you have related.

It is unfortunate that there are people who have the mindset that you have encountered…but they do exist and they cause an abundance of grief and of trouble. But how wonderful that you have the priest and the parish that you do and that can help you as grow in your lives as Catholics.

I assure you of my prayers. May God bless you.

 

[ora_pro_nobis]

I am as well. It brought joy to my heart and tears to my eye to see him celebrating his birthday recently. He is such a kind and sweet man. He always seemed to have a pure heart. I have 3 or 4 of his books and I have not had a chance to read
them yet. I am sure I will learn so much.

Oh, you are in for a treat - he writes beautifully! Easily understandable, but elegant at the same time.

 

[buc_fan33]

I suppose. I’m just so terribly tired with the excuses proffered for the poor behavior people display towards others in Catholic parishes. “We’re all sinners, etc.” It all comes down to leadership and to be blunt, I have never experienced a pastor who was also a good leader, a good shepherd of people. I have experienced pastors that were able scholars, nice men, good confessors, etc., but not a one has been close to displaying good leadership qualities. I see bits of that in my bishop, but not in any pastor I have experienced.

I’m sorry you’ve never experienced a good leader as a pastor. I’d be curious as to where you are located. What, in your mind, would constitute being a good leader?

Ignoring the troublemakers has brought a certain sense of calm to me at Mass, which I deeply appreciate. We’re slated to get a new pastor in the next year or two. That brings up only one concern (albeit a grave one) to me. Will his Masses free enough of abuses so that no matter what, I can stoically soldier on and satisfy my obligations? That’s really all I care about.

Mass should not be a chore to get through. What kind of abuses are you talking about? Mass is not just about satisfying an obligation. It IS an obligation to go to Sunday Mass, but only because Mass is where the Lord can most bestow His love on us. We don’t go for His sake…we go for our sake to be nourished by the Eucharist.

I’ve prayed on this matter a great deal. I’ve talked to my confessor about it as well. While he does not agree, if my parish is assigned a liturgically abusive or offensive individual, I’m simply going to stop attending Mass until he is replaced one day.

I’d strongly recommend you listen to your confessor. I realize it’s not what you want to hear, but think about what you’re saying here. You’re willing to commit objectively grave sin, and forego the Eucharist, if you don’t like your future priest’s liturgies? While he may not be perfect–truly, none of us are–he is an ordained priest of Jesus Christ, whom Jesus, through his bishop, will have entrusted with your soul and the souls of everyone in your parish.

I truly believe that God will understand. Coming to that conclusion and reaching that choice has brought me great peace which I am grateful for.

I’m grateful that you’re at peace, but in charity, I really need to tell you that your discernment is off. Again, I realize it’s not what you want to hear. But, your confessor has already said this. God never wills that we commit objectively grave sin.

Again, I’d be really curious where you are located. Perhaps I’m blessed, but I’ve never witnessed any of the things people often rail against when it comes to liturgy. I’ve heard of them, but as far as I can tell, the shenanigans of the 70s and 80s have largely gone by the wayside. Is there improvement to be made? Sure. But when you consider that many of our Christian brothers and sisters around the world risk their lives to attend holy Mass, we realize that we don’t have it that bad. (Unless of course, you are one of those who risk your life to attend Mass. In which case, you’re literally my hero.) In any event, I promise you my prayers.

Blessings.

 

[Roseeurekacross]

SLH today in Sunday Mass we had 3 episodes of clapping. Mass was celebrated by a visiting Jesuit Priest.

1st - children preparing for Ist Communion were invited to the front. They were presented to the community and described as the future of our Parish and Church. We all clapped. The kids smiled.

2nd - 4 families were presented for Baptism of their children. After the formalities we all clapped.

3rd - it is Mothers Day. All mothers went to the front for a blessing and holy water sprinkling ( I am not sure what to call the holy water sprinkling yet) . Then the Congregation clapped the mother’s.

All clapping was led by our wonderful visiting Priest.