Is it ever permissable to clap during Mass?

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Yes! It is at the ordination of new priests. The Bishop expects clapping from the congregation as a proof that the candidates are considered men worthy of the holy orders.

Clapping it has also different meanings in different cultures. In some cultures is a deep sign of respect for a man and the role that he fulfills. That is why it is not uncommon to see Romans clapping to the Pope as a sign of reverence to his office.

I think that clapping when it is a direct way to express our thanks to God is not inappropriate, but I think that it is inappropriate the recognize human accomplishments during Mass.
 
Cristiano said:
Yes! It is at the ordination of new priests. The Bishop expects clapping from the congregation as a proof that the candidates are considered men worthy of the holy orders.

Clapping it has also different meanings in different cultures. In some cultures is a deep sign of respect for a man and the role that he fulfills. That is why it is not uncommon to see Romans clapping to the Pope as a sign of reverence to his office.

I think that clapping when it is a direct way to express our thanks to God is not inappropriate, but I think that it is inappropriate the recognize human accomplishments during Mass.
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On the bolded part, my thoughts exactly (not that I disagree with everything else. I just didn’t think of that situation)!
 
Lampo said:
Just wondering.
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Wherever applause breaks out in the liturgy because of some human achievement, it is a sure sign that the essence of liturgy has totally disappeared and been replaced by a kind of religious entertainment. Such attractiveness fades quickly–it cannot compete in the market of leisure pursuits, incorporating as it increasingly does various forms of religious titillation.
Joseph Ratzinger, The Spirit of the Liturgy, pp 198-199
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Oh good heavens no! You should be miserable, sad, moody and depressed in mass. Kicking random people would be appropriate as well. 😛

We had a priest give a stunning homily one time. We all clapped. We also clap when someone enters the church, etc. What in the world could be wrong with that?!
 
Rascalking said:
Oh good heavens no! You should be miserable, sad, moody and depressed in mass. Kicking random people would be appropriate as well. 😛

We had a priest give a stunning homily one time. We all clapped. We also clap when someone enters the church, etc. What in the world could be wrong with that?!
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Alright, how about whistling like at a ball game? Or is that crossing the line? Being reverent doesn’t mean to be depressed, miserable, sad and moody. Is clapping reverent?
 
Lampo said:
Alright, how about whistling like at a ball game? Or is that crossing the line? Being reverent doesn’t mean to be depressed, miserable, sad and moody. Is clapping reverent?
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I think clapping is fine. Don’t overdo it, save it for those moments that really deserve it.
 
Almost every Easter Vigil Mass I have been to involved people applauding and cheering after the “Christ is Risen…” announcement. I would say that is a pretty clear case of proper applause at Mass.
 
Lampo said:
Alright, how about whistling like at a ball game? Or is that crossing the line? Being reverent doesn’t mean to be depressed, miserable, sad and moody. Is clapping reverent?
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I would never compare Holy Mass to a ballgame (my second favorite place to go in public).

Even if it’s allowed, even if the priest asks for it, I just don’t like it.

Yes, I’m a fuddy-duddy. So be it.
 
svid2 said:
I would never compare Holy Mass to a ballgame (my second favorite place to go in public).

Even if it’s allowed, even if the priest asks for it, I just don’t like it.

Yes, I’m a fuddy-duddy. So be it.
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I’m with you. Re-read what I said. Wasn’t comparing the Mass to a ballgame.
 
PatrickSebast said:
Almost every Easter Vigil Mass I have been to involved people applauding and cheering after the “Christ is Risen…” announcement. I would say that is a pretty clear case of proper applause at Mass.
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As long as the applause is for God, I don’t see too much wrong with it. Necessary? Probably not.
 
Lampo said:
What would you say are some examples of those moments?
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Like people have mentioned-saying “Christ has risen!” (no better reason, period), when new priests have been introduced, when someone has been baptized in mass…I can’t think of any others, but I’m sure they exist.

Tell you the truth, I never thought of it. It’s not like it happens all the time. If someone does like it, fine, that’s cool. I don’t think it’s a big deal one way or the other really.
 
Rascalking said:
Like people have mentioned-saying “Christ has risen!” (no better reason, period), when new priests have been introduced, when someone has been baptized in mass…I can’t think of any others, but I’m sure they exist.

Tell you the truth, I never thought of it. It’s not like it happens all the time. If someone does like it, fine, that’s cool. I don’t think it’s a big deal one way or the other really.
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I agree with those too. I just don’t care for it when applause breaks out for things such as: a well orated homily, announcement of the parish raising enough funds for renovations, etc.
 
Lampo said:
I agree with those too. I just don’t care for it when applause breaks out for things such as: a well orated homily, announcement of the parish raising enough funds for renovations, etc.
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I don’t really disagree with you. Like I said, it’s not something I’ve spent time thinking about.
 
Cristiano said:
Yes! It is at the ordination of new priests. The Bishop expects clapping from the congregation as a proof that the candidates are considered men worthy of the holy orders.
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The bishop (whose call means the vocation) has to moral obligation to know the worthiness of the candidate from the recommendation of the seminary leadership. The approval of the laity is not required to the decision of the bishop.

Clapping as part of the worship (of God) is allowed in special cultures. Clapping for the human success when the times is set aside (sacred) to God is abuse. Not because the human success is wrong in itself, but because the Mass is gathering for God, and not community festival.
 
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