I have had that happen when someone has a cold or they were afraid of catching a cold during the season. No big deal. I have also had a couple of people angrily glare at me when I offered my hand. Still no big deal. I said a little silent prayer for them instead. That’s the one big turn-off of the daily Mass on EWTN, leaving out the sign of peace.
It seems to be the same in all parishes. You turn to the left and that person is already shaking hands with those on his left. Then you turn to the right and find that person is shaking hands with those on his right. You turn around with the person in back of you and he has his back to you. And then you just miss the one in front of you who extended his hand to you. Never fails.
I think it’s sad when it’s omitted. Particularly when it’s omitted because people think they will catch germs. Good job they’re not French, and germs didn’t seem to bother Mother Theresa.
The GIRM as approved by the USSCB.
So Mark, exactly WHO does decide then?
It is optional. As other posters have shown in GIRM 154:
One is in chapter II, the other is in chapter IV
The priest, but this must be done in accord with the spirit of the liturgy and the mind of the Church, according to which it seems apparent that the sign of peace is intended to be an ordinary part of the typical Mass. As I have discussed before (e.g., [1], [2]), “Church law, with rare exceptions, is written for an audience which is presumed to be mature, faithful, well-meaning, and to have good taste and good intentions, at least usually.” That there are no guidelines provided for when the sign of peace is “appropriate” does not mean that the Church intends for there to be no criteria at all. Similarly, the GIRM might say that at a certain point in the Mass “a suitable hymn” may be sung, but this does not mean that we think each priest can say of any song whatsoever, “Well, I like it, which makes it ‘suitable’ by my standards.” Or rather, when priests, in so doing, take advantage of permissive language and stray beyond the mind of the Church too frequently, then Rome is forced to issue corrections, reproaches, and sometimes even concrete norms. This has happened repeatedly in the realm of music, which shows the outcome of a breakdown in the smooth functioning of the liturgical system.
You make some good points. I agree. I also think it’s very sad when the sign of peace is left out because the expectation is that people will act inappropriate. People are not animals and they shouldn’t be treated as such. If inappropriate behavior is the reality then the pastor needs to catechize his flock. EWTN should consider changing their policy in this area.
That would be quite fine with me especially when the person behind you is coughing and sneezing
Good grief. Smile, put your right hand over your heart and bow your head to those who want to shake your hand. Or you could just close your eyes with your hands up to your face. The corporal sign of peace should not be eliminated because individuals aren’t willing to take steps to safeguard themselves from “snooty people telling me how unchristian I am.”I HATE the sign of peace. I have severe rheumatoid arthritis and shaking hands is extremely painful, my hand then swells and is inflamed for hours after church. If I don’t shake hands, I get the snooty people telling me how unchristian I am and I am not “participating”. …so, I shake hands, feel nauseous from pain, and come home and take more pain medicine.
see, there’s always another side to every story
Good advice Exorcist.Good grief. Smile, put your right hand over your heart and bow your head to those who want to shake your hand. Or you could just close your eyes with your hands up to your face. The corporal sign of peace should not be eliminated because individuals aren’t willing to take steps to safeguard themselves from “snooty people telling me how unchristian I am.”
or not go. that’s what my son did after leg surgery and while in a brace another parishioner kicked him in that leg and told him it didn’t matter if he was in a brace or just had surgery, he should still kneel (didn’t matter that the brace was locked and he literally couldn’t bend it.) he hasn’t been since. good Christian charity…Good grief. Smile, put your right hand over your heart and bow your head to those who want to shake your hand. Or you could just close your eyes with your hands up to your face. The corporal sign of peace should not be eliminated because individuals aren’t willing to take steps to safeguard themselves from “snooty people telling me how unchristian I am.”
Personally I think the sign of peace would have more significance if it were done outside the church, in the parking lot, for example. After all, Christianity isn’t confined to within the walls of a church building.The corporal sign of peace should not be eliminated because individuals aren’t willing to take steps to safeguard themselves from “snooty people telling me how unchristian I am.”