Shaking Hands

[Linnyo]

Oh well.
I think you need to get over your sensitivity, but that is only my 2cents.
A Peace be with you with no touching is not wrong and not a sign of rejection.

I have no need to get over my sensitivity because there would never be a person refuse to shake hands in Scotland. Well, it would be rare - I have never heard of it here. What I don’t like though, is a sloppy handshake. I like a firm handshake. A person with a firm handshake is a person who is sincere. Broken knuckles is the way to go!

 

[Linnyo]

In Scotland, it would be considered very rude not to shake a hand that has been extended to you. That is probably very relevant to the discussion. You can always take Communion in the mouth and wash your hands after Mass.

 

[wifeandmomoftwo]

I have no need to get over my sensitivity because there would never be a person refuse to shake hands in Scotland.

Well there is always a first time for something.

Well, it would be rare - I have never heard of it here. What I don’t like though, is a sloppy handshake. I like a firm handshake. A person with a firm handshake is a person who is sincere. Broken knuckles is the way to go!

Have to agree, firm is the way to go, just not at Mass

 

[palmas85]

I think that if we are going to be forced into it then it needs to be an a different place in the Mass. Either at the very beginning or the very end, but not where it is now.

 

[Cathryn]

In Scotland, it would be considered very rude not to shake a hand that has been extended to you. That is probably very relevant to the discussion. You can always take Communion in the mouth and wash your hands after Mass.

It is also rude to not to shake a hand that has been extended to you here in the US. That is part of the problem. I would rather obstain from handshaking during Mass, but I don’t want to offend anyone, or be rude. I don’t mind shaking hands outside of Mass. Within Mass it seems very contrived and forced.
My parish has many older folks, and quite a few can't handle a robust handshake, not to mind the exchange of germs. One older woman in my parish is terrified when someone wants to shake her arthritic hands. Many people can't handle the grip of some parishoners.

 

[NewUlm1976_2000]

I enjoy doing it. It adds to the unity of the parishes.

 

[retrovert]

The next time some guy grabs your hand, try tickling his palm with your index finger. That will put a stop to it right quick.

I went to Mass by myself a couple of weeks ago and was somewhat surprised when the guy next to me grabbed my hand during the Lord’s prayer. I went along with it, even raising arms with him during the appropriate time, but I didn’t feel very comfortable holding hands with another man.

As for the handshake of peace, I am willing to do it, but I suppose I’d prefer it be done away with. It does provide some feeling of being connected to those around me, but this time of year there is an increased danger of spreading illness should you shake someone’s hand and then touch your own eyes, nose, or mouth.

 

[retrovert]

I don’t mind the hand shake at the sign of peace, but that “greet your neighbor” before mass starts really gets my goat.

 

[water]

I don’t mind the hand shake at the sign of peace, but that “greet your neighbor” before mass starts really gets my goat.

On the other hands, I like both. To me, each has its great meaning, and I think of their meanings when I shake hands with those around me.

 

[retrovert]

Good point. It’s just very distracting for me, but I promise to think more of the other guy this Sunday. Take care…

On the other hands, I like both. To me, each has its great meaning, and I think of their meanings when I shake hands with those around me.

 

[marci]

The shaking hands I deal with, even though I wouldn’t be heartbroken if it was done away with, but the holding hands I can not stand. I spend the entire Lord’s Prayer, worried and nervous that my hands are gonna start gushing like a geiser because of this extremely intimate gesture (in my opinion) which I am being forced to engage in with complete strangers. The only persons’ hands I ever hold are my husbands and my kids.
Holding hands, again in my opinion, is an intimate action that denotes a close relationship. I think that it is perfectly natural that we feel a certain amount of discomfort when forced to participate.

 

[retrovert]

I agree. Thank God we no longer do it in our parish. You might try closing your eyes and crossing your arms in front of you. If that does’nt work get one of those practical joke buzzers and hold that in your hand…

The shaking hands I deal with, even though I wouldn’t be heartbroken if it was done away with, but the holding hands I can not stand. I spend the entire Lord’s Prayer, worried and nervous that my hands are gonna start gushing like a geiser because of this extremely intimate gesture (in my opinion) which I am being forced to engage in with complete strangers. The only persons’ hands I ever hold are my husbands and my kids.
Holding hands, again in my opinion, is an intimate action that denotes a close relationship. I think that it is perfectly natural that we feel a certain amount of discomfort when forced to participate.

 

[water]

Good point. It’s just very distracting for me, but I promise to think more of the other guy this Sunday. Take care…

Did your parish have this shaking hand before the priest enters the church or after? At my parish, we do it during the announcement before the mass starts.

 

[Markstorm]

The shaking hands I deal with, even though I wouldn’t be heartbroken if it was done away with, but the holding hands I can not stand. I spend the entire Lord’s Prayer, worried and nervous that my hands are gonna start gushing like a geiser because of this extremely intimate gesture (in my opinion) which I am being forced to engage in with complete strangers. The only persons’ hands I ever hold are my husbands and my kids.
Holding hands, again in my opinion, is an intimate action that denotes a close relationship. I think that it is perfectly natural that we feel a certain amount of discomfort when forced to participate.

I just clasp my hands firmly during the Our Father and I haven’t had anyone fail to respect that. Maybe it’s different where you are though.

 

[jssaxon]

53% of the Christians here hate shaking hands?

This is a strange forum. Are all Catholics this anti-social and negative?

 

[jssaxon]

I don’t mind the hand shake at the sign of peace, but that “greet your neighbor” before mass starts really gets my goat.

Oh, that does sound odious! I can’t believe they would want you to greet your neighbor, how repulsive and distracting!

 

[I_Believe]

53% of the Christians here hate shaking hands?

This is a strange forum. Are all Catholics this anti-social and negative?

No, some of us just feel that the sign of peace takes our focus away from the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and places it on ourselves. Then, just as abruptly, we are to return our focus to the Liturgy itself. It’s awkward, and does not add a thing to the Liturgy.

 

[I_Believe]

Oh, that does sound odious! I can’t believe they would want you to greet your neighbor, how repulsive and distracting!

If you are here to bash Catholics, why not start a thread and spell out for us just what it is that you don’t like about us ?

 

[Ankabaranka_87]

If you think shaking hands is filthy…see this wiki article called “Holy Kiss”

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_kiss

But I think they should change the ‘sign of peace’. Instead of shaking hands, we should give a slight bow/nod towards our neighbour. I have seen it done in Poland and I like this approach. No chance of spreading disease

 

[fix]

The shaking hands I deal with, even though I wouldn’t be heartbroken if it was done away with, but the holding hands I can not stand. I spend the entire Lord’s Prayer, worried and nervous that my hands are gonna start gushing like a geiser because of this extremely intimate gesture (in my opinion) which I am being forced to engage in with complete strangers. The only persons’ hands I ever hold are my husbands and my kids.
Holding hands, again in my opinion, is an intimate action that denotes a close relationship. I think that it is perfectly natural that we feel a certain amount of discomfort when forced to participate.

This is why the Church says the mass is not our private property. When novelties are allowed to continue we introduce division.