Mass - Applause - Baptisms

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I don’t believe so… my nephew is being baptized a week from Sunday. After Mass.
 
The_Reginator said:
I cannot applaud anything during Mass.
(Even applause inside the church outside of Mass) makes me uncomfortable because I’m always aware that Jesus is present in the Tabernacle.)
I’ve thought about this a lot over the years. Clapping in Mass seems down right RUDE. We are in the presence of the Lord of all. Should we really be clapping or chit-chatting?
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I’m just curious…why do you think our Lord objects to applause? The fact he is present is even MORE reason to clap for joy, in my opinion.
 
sharmin said:
I’m just curious…why do you think our Lord objects to applause? The fact he is present is even MORE reason to clap for joy, in my opinion.
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For me it’s a case of being as reverent as we can in the presence of the Holy Sacrament. We should do our utmost to avoid any behaviour that puts our focus on anyone but Jesus. I understand the reasoning behind applause showing joy, but I’m worried about what it does to us when we are trying to be reverent. I guess it comes down to the matter of focus.
I see clapping more as something we do in a meeting hall, not so much in the Divine Presence.
 
Joannm said:
Applause is part of the ordination Mass for a priest or deacon. Would you feel uncomfortable doing it then, or is it only when applauding lay people that it seems wrong?
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I have never been to an ordination. Are you sure this is in the rubrics?
 
adriancombe said:
I have never been to an ordination. Are you sure this is in the rubrics?
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Both yes, and no.

There is no “applause” as such in the Ordination Rite.

There is a moment when the congregation signifies its support for the ordinand, and in the US this may be done by “applause.” However it is not something that is done to celebrate or recognize the individual (or plural), which is usually what is meant by “applause.”

In ancient times, the candidates for any order were chosen by the local congregation when there was a need. There were no seminaries or other formal preparation programs. The “applause” in the ordination rite is a remnant of that acclamation, although today the emphasis has shifted from the idea of “electing” to that of “supporting.”

A good example of this idea is found in the Eastern ordination rites when the bishop, clergy, and congregation (seperately) all shout “axios!” meaning “he is worthy.”

In a certain sense, the bishop is asking “should I ordain him?” and the congregation responds in the affirmative. Remember, this is a remnant of the ancient form, and the bishop has already decided to ordain him. The “applause” is a way of keeping that traditional element of the ordination rite. It is also important to keep in mind that it is not “applause” as we typically use the word–meaning a gesture to celebrate, recognize, or congratulate the person.
 
I was always SO uncomfortable with clapping in my Methodist days, but everyone did it. I was the odd man out.

Now, I will clap after a baby is presented anew after baptism, but find clapping for the choir to be over the top. Now, after Mass has ended, and they finish singing as the church empties out, I will clap.

I want to say, though, that Clapping is a result of joy, and I find it hard that Jesus himself would be upset by His children being happy.
 
Brendan said:
One thing to keep in mind is that there are two natural ‘pauses’ during the Mass.

One is for the Homily. The pause button is hit after the Gospel and resumed for the Creed. In the EF Mass, this is noted when the priest removed the maniple.

Since Mass is stopped, applause would not be out of place. A Baptism during Mass occurs during this pause, as do Marital vows, or Confirmations.

The other point is after Communion, more specifically after the Post Communion silence. This is when announcements are read, a lay missionary might give a short talk, organizations may be acknowledged. Applause might be appropriate here as well.

At any other points during the Mass, it would not be appropriate.
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Actually this should happen AFTER the final blessing.
 
FrDavid96 said:
Both yes, and no.

There is no “applause” as such in the Ordination Rite.

There is a moment when the congregation signifies its support for the ordinand, and in the US this may be done by “applause.” However it is not something that is done to celebrate or recognize the individual (or plural), which is usually what is meant by “applause.”

In ancient times, the candidates for any order were chosen by the local congregation when there was a need. There were no seminaries or other formal preparation programs. The “applause” in the ordination rite is a remnant of that acclamation, although today the emphasis has shifted from the idea of “electing” to that of “supporting.”
IMO, the same can be said of “applause” used as welcoming and supporting new members in the church, or a couple that renews their wedding vows on their 50th anniversay, (usually done at the end of the Mass) etc. The clapping used to show our welcome and/or support for them is not quite the same as the applause given to praise the musical talents of the singers or musicians (or for the sometimes endless list of persons and groups that had something to do with making the Easter or Christmas Mass a wonderful celebration.

A good example of this idea is found in the Eastern ordination rites when the bishop, clergy, and congregation (seperately) all shout “axios!” meaning “he is worthy.”

In a certain sense, the bishop is asking “should I ordain him?” and the congregation responds in the affirmative. Remember, this is a remnant of the ancient form, and the bishop has already decided to ordain him. The “applause” is a way of keeping that traditional element of the ordination rite. It is also important to keep in mind that it is not “applause” as we typically use the word–meaning a gesture to celebrate, recognize, or congratulate the person.
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