Sign of Peace / Covid-19

[Anne1964]

The parish I go to for daily Mass doesn’t do the Sign of Peace and on Sundays I go to a Traditional Latin Mass, so no Sign of Peace there either.

In ref to the question about the Sign of Peace among the clergy during a TLM that may only be done during a High Mass or Solemn High Mass. we only have Low Mass where I go and it is t fine during Low Mass.

 

[on_eagles_wingz]

I remember when they started doing this in the 90’s (it was never done before in any of the catholic churches I attended in my life prior to that). It always felt awkward to me. I think it’s purpose is simply to make the congregation feel more connected to each other but it’s really just a token gesture. There’s no scripture that says you should give each other a sign of peace. Jesus gave us His peace and His peace overcomes anything and everything (see John 14:27 and John 16:33).

 

[Diaconia]

In the Divine Liturgy the peace is only exchanged among the concelebrating clergy.

In the Mass, it wouldn’t ever be removed; but might be relocated to occur earlier in the liturgy, as it was in the past.

Greet one another with a holy kiss,
Deacon Christopher

 

[otjm]

My intent was not to be harsh; but that is how your question came across. A goodly ;number of us know that it was (re) introduced after Vatican 2. And it comes from the Early Church.

 

[otjm]

In the Mass, it wouldn’t ever be removed; but might be relocated to occur earlier in the liturgy, as it was in the past.

My recollection is that Pope Benedict mused on that specific point, but I think it did not garner much traction.

 

[MockSock]

In EF High Mass there is the ‘Kiss of Peace’ (not an actual kiss) shared among the clergy and sometimes the altar servers in which person on bows to person two and says pax tecum (peace be with you). They bow to each other again and person two replies et cum spiritu tuo (and with your spirit).

 

[MockSock]

There’s no scripture that says you should give each other a sign of peace.

“If therefore thou offer thy gift at the altar, and there thou remember that thy brother hath anything against thee; Leave there thy offering before the altar, and go first to be reconciled to thy brother, and then coming thou shalt offer thy gift.” (Matt 5:23-24)

(Can’t believe I’m arguing for the sign of peace!)

 

[Tis_Bearself]

The rubrics actually say the sign of peace is not required. A priest could have chosen to omit it for the past 5 years and not be creating their own rubrics.

And there are a number of priests who never do it, even outside of pandemic times and flu season.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

“If therefore thou offer thy gift at the altar, and there thou remember that thy brother hath anything against thee; Leave there thy offering before the altar, and go first to be reconciled to thy brother, and then coming thou shalt offer thy gift.” (Matt 5:23-24)

(Can’t believe I’m arguing for the sign of peace!)

I read that to mean that I am supposed to mend fences with anyone with whom I have a grudge, not that I’m supposed to be wishing peace to perfect strangers with whom I have no grudge and I don’t even know them.

Based on that scripture I have on occasion realized at “Sign of Peace time” that I need to apologize to someone, and gone home after Mass and done so. Usually the person is not Catholic and doesn’t live near me so it’s a matter of calling them or sending them an e-mail or a text message. But this has nothing to do with me greeting others in church. Like I said, I do participate in the sign of peace when the priest does it, usually by just raising my hand towards others, but it doesn’t really relate to that scripture.

 

[MockSock]

Fair enough. I have always disliked the sign of peace, especially the way we do with a handshake. It was just that after hearing that gospel, I disliked it slightly less.

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

There’s no scripture that says you should give each other a sign of peace.

Actually, there are several the Church bases the liturgical action on; here are two:

Greet one another with a holy kiss,

II Corinthians 13:12

“If therefore thou offer thy gift at the altar, and there thou remember that thy brother hath anything against thee; Leave there thy offering before the altar, and go first to be reconciled to thy brother, and then coming thou shalt offer thy gift.” (Matt 5:23-24)

 

[libbeylu]

I agree with you 100%! I go to Mass to Pray in silence…I would rather just keep to myself…I don’t go there to socialize…at my age I am so afraid of touching others for fear of getting sick…but some would not understand my thoughts…all I want is to pray in Peace…Amen!

 

[Convert3]

Personally, I like the sign of peace. It breaks the ice to let you introduce yourself to someone after mass is over. I never feel forced and respect those who don’t want to shake hands. I also enjoy giving my wife a kiss during mass! :smiling_face_with_three_hearts:

 

[TC3033]

Church Leadership to remove the ‘Sign of Peace’ from liturgy.

I’m not Catholic, but I’m kinda with you on this one. I’ve always found it awkward and forced. Especially the times when I turn around and get a look of “oh, you actually want to do this”.

My take has always been to reach out to your fellow man before and especially after Mass instead of going through some forced and motion during what is supposed to be a collective spiritual moment.

I’ve found it strange this doesn’t really happen much/at all.

 

[MagdalenaRita]

Yes I agree it would be very nice if the sign of peace was, after all this, no longer included in the Mass.

My frustration with it is, when people get out of their pews and walk around, families all start high fiving, laughing and joking when the Agnus Dei is starting and, I am sure there will be those that do not like this, but I do not think Mass is a place for boyfriends and girlfriends and even husbands and wives to be kissing.

 

[Agnus-Dei]

I read that to mean that I am supposed to mend fences with anyone with whom I have a grudge, not that I’m supposed to be wishing peace to perfect strangers with whom I have no grudge and I don’t even know them.

Same for me. Saying peace be with you part is fine with me. It is the prolonged handshaking, walking around annoying bit I’m not fond of.
Dominus vobiscum

 

[OrbisNonSufficit]

It has always been forced and artificial. It never fit within the natural flow of Mass.

It would, it if was moved at the end of Liturgy of the Word. Doing it while there is already our Lord present is indeed somewhat weird. Major argument against it being there is that it takes focus from Eucharist. Other than that though, it does fit in Liturgy as a practice… just probably not in place where it is now.

 

[Minks]

I sincerely hope that one positive outcome of this global health crisis will be for the Church Leadership to remove the ‘Sign of Peace’ from liturgy. It has always been forced and artificial. It never fit within the natural flow of Mass. There were always serious health concerns especially in winter season. I already know that I will never shake hands during mass ever again as a result of what we currently experience.
I am also pretty certain that the majority of Catholics would not miss it for one second. I could of course be wrong.
My take has always been to reach out to your fellow man before and especially after Mass instead of going through some forced and motion during what is supposed to be a collective spiritual moment.

Amen, amen, I say to you!

 

[Minks]

Thanks for the information. Can you fill me in if it was practiced in the pre Vatican II versions of Mass?

N O !! Thankfully.

The only place it would make sense to me, anyhow, would be AFTER “Go; the Mass is ended.”

 

[Vnieto_83]

The sign of peace is beautiful. It helps you feel connected to your fellow parishioners. Please People, don’t be so anti social! This is one of my favorite parts of mass to say something to someone your normally wouldn’t talk to. Hands are traditionally shook, but with this pandemic it seems the norm will now be to just nod, a smile, or give a peace sign like I do. :v:t5: