My local parish stops sign of peace

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

It’s not just a disruption, it’s an evil. Let’s face it: the “Sign of Peace” injects anarchy into the Mass before the Blessed Sacrament. That one’s attention should be diverted from Christ in order to socialize, even for a moment, is scandalous in the extreme. Any pastor who gets rid of it is doing the work of God.

So then you are saying the the Church is not going the work of God?

You are mistaken. No part of the Mass can be evil or scandalous.

The Sign of Peace, when done correctly, is not a moment of anarchy nor is it to socialize.

You are just plain wrong.

To say what you did is what is evil.

 

[Ignatius]

Actually it’s part of the rite. An optional part indeed but hardly an “innovation” or an “unorthodox practice” as some would like to suggest.

I was trying to find it in the GIRM and couldn’t find it. Can you tell me the paragraph number please?

 

[FrDavid96]

I was trying to find it in the GIRM and couldn’t find it. Can you tell me the paragraph number please?

1. The Rite of Peace follows, by which the Church asks for peace and unity for herself and for the whole human family, and the faithful express to each other their ecclesial communion and mutual charity before communicating in the Sacrament.

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.

If there is no deacon:
154. Then the priest, with hands extended, says aloud the prayer, Domine Iesu Christe, qui dixisti (Lord Jesus Christ, you said). After this prayer is concluded, extending and then joining his hands, he gives the greeting of peace while facing the people and saying, Pax Domini sit simper vobiscum (The peace of the Lord be with you always). The people answer, Et cum spiritu tuo (And also with you). Afterwards, when appropriate, the priest adds, Offerte vobis pacem (Let us offer each other the sign of peace).

If there is a deacon:
181. After the priest has said the prayer at the Rite of Peace and the greeting Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum (The peace of the Lord be with you always) and the people have responded, Et cum spiritu tuo (And also with you), the deacon, if it is appropriate, invites all to exchange the sign of peace. He faces the people and, with hands joined, says, Offerte vobis pacem pacem (Let us offer each other the sign of peace). Then he himself receives the sign of peace from the priest and may offer it to those other ministers who are closer to him.

 

[Barry_Gabriel]

In my opinion, I find the sign of peace to be at best annoying, at worst a transmitter of disease. It has become (and always was) a meaningless quasi ritual added to the mass and is a holdover from the touchy-feely 60s and 70s. Insisting at the beginning of mass that everyone get up and hug or shake hands is for the birds. I don’t know how many feel about this, but I believe that such silliness degrades the dignity of Catholic worship. Eliminating the sign to me would make things a lot better, but unfortunately many of the priests in my diocese were in seminary in the 70s when being touchy feely was encouraged. Stupid.forums.catholic-questions.org/images/smilies/mad.gif

 

[George_C]

I wish they’d drop it everywhere. It’s a big disruption.

Thank you for stating the truth.

 

[Alex246]

Truthfully, I like the sign of peace. That is, as long as it is done soberly and appropriately, with a simple nod and handshake. The moving about and stretching to other pews does seem most disruptive. I would be extremely displeased were this to happen at my parish.
Also, from the evidence people have shown it is NOT simply an innovation. It IS optional. There is a large difference.

 

[Amy_Beth]

With the cold and flu season approaching I think that the priest should direct the people not to shake hands. Saying “peace to you” possibly with a little nod would suffice as a greeting without passing on germs by shaking hands.

 

[Georgia]

In my opinion, I find the sign of peace to be at best annoying, at worst a transmitter of disease. It has become (and always was) a meaningless quasi ritual added to the mass and is a holdover from the touchy-feely 60s and 70s. Insisting at the beginning of mass that everyone get up and hug or shake hands is for the birds. I don’t know how many feel about this, but I believe that such silliness degrades the dignity of Catholic worship. Eliminating the sign to me would make things a lot better, but unfortunately many of the priests in my diocese were in seminary in the 70s when being touchy feely was encouraged. Stupid.forums.catholic-questions.org/images/smilies/mad.gif

Hands are the primary culprit in the transmission of quite a few nasty bugs. I feel uncomfortable with this because I see so many examples of dirty hands being stretched out to clasp. Last Sunday, a woman in front of me sneezed into both hands. No, she did not have an alcohol cleaner to use before shaking hands. I hope she had no disease to share. For my part, I had my ever-present bottle.

I know I am in the small minority on this one, but I too think it is a thin gesture. Often, I shake hands with people who are not even looking at me. That is the height of meaningless.

The parish adjacent to ours has a “Let us stand and greet one another.” to start the Mass. There is, of course, the shaking hands as the Sign of Peace. We get it twice there.

 

[ML561]

Well, I would certainly rather have the sign of peace than the carrying of guns in church, as some people are now advocating! And if I hear any more about discontinuing the sign of peace because of the threat of swine flu…@#$%! Certainly it seems as though individual parishes have discretion over whether or not the sign of peace is used, and everyone has their own opinion…personally, the more peace that is passed around this world, the better. And peace be with you all.

 

[tcm22]

A good Episcopal friend long ago taught me the “pivot rule” for the sign of peace. According to this “rule” one can offer the sign of peace only to those within reach while keeping on foot planted.

I’ve found this discourages any temptation to run up and down the pews and shaking hands across rows.

Peace be with you!

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

I never understood the purpose of this either. I have been to some churches, visiting, and while I’m trying to say my Rosary or mentally prepare myself before Mass, I’m interrupted by the cantor telling everybody to ‘stand and greet those around you’. As if everybody sitting around talking wasn’t enough of a distraction…

No thanks.

I think I’m with you on this. Ringing cell phones, the hi-five, ‘say hello to the other kids in class’ greetings, all of these are distractions.

 

[Old_Convert]

EWTN doesn’t do it, and their Masses are lovely. Personnally, it’s the only part of the Mass I don’t love, so when it is left out, I am relieved. Moreover, this does not mean that I don’t like or appreciate my fellow worshippers. Long live Pope Benedict the XVI! If we are patient–and live long enough–I believe he will restore the Mass to the beauty God intended, whether is NO or TLM.