Should there be clapping during the Mass?

[Matthew_Holford]

I do not think we should clap at all at Mass or at any liturgy. Wrong venue, wrong action.

I get annoyed when you go to a wedding and the priest asks you to clap. There’s plenty of opportunity to congratulate the couple at the wedding breakfast and the evening reception.

I admit to clapping simply because I don’t want to stand there with everyone else thinking I’m some sort of killjoy plus it would hardly be appropriate for me speak out at that point.

When a new priest is presented at an ordination (and I’ve never been to one) wouldn’t a more appropriate action be for the bishop to introduce the new priest, the new priest then bows towards the congregation, then the congregation bow back; much more seemly than clapping.

If you have the urge to clap go to the theatre.

 

[Phemie]

When a new priest is presented at an ordination (and I’ve never been to one) wouldn’t a more appropriate action be for the bishop to introduce the new priest, the new priest then bows towards the congregation, then the congregation bow back; much more seemly than clapping.

That’s not when the clapping is done at an ordination. It is done before the ordination and along with the AMEN is a sign the congregation’s assent to the ordination.

I must admit having attended an ordination where I didn’t want to clap because I thought the candidate for ordination was anything but a good choice. Nothing that has happened since has convinced me that I was wrong.

 

[cheese_sdc]

If I remember correctly, clapping is acceptable during ordinations (the rubrics read something like "The assembly may show their approval of the selection by the newly or soon to be ordained priest by a culturely appropriate gesture).

My recollection of the wording is definitely off, but the spirit is to allow the congregation to show some approval for the person being ordained. In America, applause fits (depending on local custom, of course).

 

[cheese_sdc]

That’s not when the clapping is done at an ordination. It is done before the ordination and along with the AMEN is a sign the congregation’s assent to the ordination.

You are correct.

 

[estesbob]

Should there be clapping during the Mass?
Yes or no.

Absolutely not.

 

[ConstantineTG]

In the Philippines, it is becoming very common for people to break into an applause after the Mass. It is giving the younger generation the impression that they are witnessing a stage presentation rather than a Holy Sacrifice. Looking at their faces, you would notice that everything is done automatically.

I am hoping that our bishops would put an end to this nonsense!

albertziggy

Er, the priest encourages clapping for the Lord. I believe this evolved from the Charismatic movement. They are not applauding the priest or the choir.

 

[ConstantineTG]

People also will occasionally clap after baptisms, or when the catechumens are received at the Easter Vigil, and I don’t see anything particularly wrong with that either (nor, again, is it within the meaning of Pope Benedict’s quotation). I recall priests inviting a response by saying “Let’s welcome the newest members of our parish family” or something similar, and clapping is the most sensible way (for an American congregation, at least) to do that. Doubtless there are some who think that anything but stony-faced silence in these circumstances is an affront to God, but I am not among them. So I haven’t voted, since there’s no option for “Mostly no, except for some cases.” After a choir piece during the Offertory or something like that, certainly not.

Good post, I agree with everything you said. Espeically that clapping is described in its meaning in American culture.

 

[vera_dicere]

Depends on the context.

But my personal feeling is no, especially since I dont’ think there’s any part of the mass that is a performance. Sometimes we have the little kids do a “play” to act out part of the Gospel or someon getting up in place of a homiliy and going on about how we should give money to some charity or do something for something *

I relaly don’t like people clapping during songs, unless its a Charistmatic mass. But the only time I can accept/tolerate it would be if a Priest was leaving and we gave him a round of applause - but that’s always at the end of the mass before the final hymn.*

 

[Newbie2]

People also will occasionally clap after baptisms, or when the catechumens are received at the Easter Vigil, and I don’t see anything particularly wrong with that either (nor, again, is it within the meaning of Pope Benedict’s quotation). I recall priests inviting a response by saying “Let’s welcome the newest members of our parish family” or something similar, and clapping is the most sensible way (for an American congregation, at least) to do that. Doubtless there are some who think that anything but stony-faced silence in these circumstances is an affront to God, but I am not among them. So I haven’t voted, since there’s no option for “Mostly no, except for some cases.” After a choir piece during the Offertory or something like that, certainly not.

Or at special blessings, like the one done in our cathedral during the holy family.

Why should anyone clap at this amazing, awe-filled moment?

Because it is an amazing, awe-filled moment?

We have a pastor who “showboats” and this used to happen regularly after his homilies. It drives me crazy. It happened on CHRISTMAS for goodness’ sake! It’s NOT A PERFORMANCE it’s a SACRAMENT!!! NO APPLAUSE!!! EVER!!!

Mass is not a sacrament. The Eucharist within mass is a sacrament.

The Applause removes this sacredness.

Depends on what they are applauding, methinks.

Good post, I agree with everything you said. Espeically that clapping is described in its meaning in American culture.

 

[booksandmusic]

There will be applause at our masses if when after the announcements there is a guest speaker for a charity or upcoming parish fundraiser. It makes me uncomfortable and I suppose I look like a bump on a log, but I do not applaud. I just can’t join in and do what everyone else is doing.

But keep in mind that I still feel guilty when my backside touches the pew behind me when I am kneeling…can’t get rid of my Catholic school training and Sr. Mary Benita forever watching over me.

 

[Edmundus1581]

Unfortunately we have a binary choice. I took “Yes” to mean “At least sometimes”, and “No” to mean “Not ever, in any circumstances”. So I voted “Yes”, for the various very good reasons posted so far. In these and similar circumstances I clap quite willingly!

 

[PatriceA]

Er, the priest encourages clapping for the Lord. I believe this evolved from the Charismatic movement. They are not applauding the priest or the choir.

I answered “no”. And on a side note, I’ve never been to a Charismatic mass where the clapping was encouraged to take place during the liturgy. There is a time for clapping and praise after the mass has concluded.

 

[catholictiger]

Here is a quote by Pope Benedict

“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 attraction fades quickly - it cannot compete in the market of leisure pursuits, incorporating as it increasingly does various forms of religious titillation.”

this

 

[JimR-OCDS]

laszlo

The Liturgy is rite = rule.

I don’t believe this is correct.

Ritus in classical Latin in means primarily, the form and manner of any religious observance, so Livy, 1, 7: “Sacra diis aliis albano ritu, græco Herculi ut ab Evandro instituta erant (Romulus) facit”; then, in general, any custom or usage. In English the word “rite” ordinarily means, the ceremonies, prayers, and functions of any religious body, whether pagan, Jewish, Moslem, or Christian. But here we must distinguish two uses of the word. We speak of any one such religious function as a rite — the rite of the blessing of palms, the coronation rite, etc. In a slightly different sense we call the whole complex of the services of any Church or group of Churches a rite-thus we speak of the Roman Rite, Byzantine Rite, and various Eastern rites. In the latter sense the word is often considered equivalent to liturgy, which, however, in the older and more proper use of the word is the Eucharistic Service, or Mass; hence for a whole series of religious functions “rite” is preferable.

newadvent.org/cathen/13064b.htm

Jim

 

[CHRISTINE77]

People also will occasionally clap after baptisms, or when the catechumens are received at the Easter Vigil, and I don’t see anything particularly wrong with that either (nor, again, is it within the meaning of Pope Benedict’s quotation). I recall priests inviting a response by saying “Let’s welcome the newest members of our parish family” or something similar, and clapping is the most sensible way (for an American congregation, at least) to do that. Doubtless there are some who think that anything but stony-faced silence in these circumstances is an affront to God, but I am not among them. So I haven’t voted, since there’s no option for “Mostly no, except for some cases.” After a choir piece during the Offertory or something like that, certainly not.

I agree with you. We clap after baptisms or when catechumens are received, but not after music. There’s nothing wrong with showing your support.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

In all of my years as a Catholic, I have seen applause break out within the liturgy, only once after our deacon’s first homily.

It broke out as a result of an old man with dementia, in the front pew who started clapping after the deacon gave his homily. For all I know, the man thought he was in a theater or something, and the people followed.

Other than that, the only clapping during Mass has been during a closing hymn, that gave reason for the people to clap in rhythm, or at a Baptism, Ordination or Confirmation. In the last two, the Bishops and I use plural here, asked that the congregation express congratulations and gratitude, with applause.

Jim

 

[JimR-OCDS]

BTW, I recall clapping at the World Youth Day Masses, when Pope Benedict XVI celebrated.

I didn’t see him call for silence.

His statement concerning clapping at Mass has to be understood in the correct context.

Jim

 

[ConstantineTG]

I answered “no”. And on a side note, I’ve never been to a Charismatic mass where the clapping was encouraged to take place during the liturgy. There is a time for clapping and praise after the mass has concluded.

I agree with you. I’m just letting albertziggy know that the clapping that happens in the Philippines is an influence of the Charismatic movement which is surprisingly very popular there, both Catholic and Protestant. The priest ask the people not to applaud the priest or the choir or any other human being there, but the applause was to show appreciation of the Lord.

Again, its not that because I agree with it. But I’m just clarifying the reason behind it.

 

[ProVobis]

I voted no, but how do you get them to stop? It seems to be a normal community response in our society.

 

[EDB]

At one of the parishes close to me, I only go from time to time now for this and other reasons, the congregation applauds EVERY mass at which there is a cantor/choir. Honestly, it drives me crazy!