Sign of Peace during New Order of Mass

[Little_One0307]

Hi,

Does anyone else feel that when the sign of peace is done during Mass it somehow takes focus off of Who is on the Altar after the Lord’s Prayer? I do not at all feel comfortable with making the sign of peace during the Mass and yet some peeps want to shake my hand and say peace be with you. I do not want to offend other people, but yet it distracts me to no end when I have to take my eyes off of Jesus on the Altar and interact with others. I know in the Tridentine Mass the sign of peace was not like it is in the new order of Mass. Does anyone have any suggestions for me as to how I can keep my focus on the Eucharist without having to take part in the Sign of peace? Is it okay if I remain kneeling during this time?

Thanks. Sorry for all the question.

Little One0307

 

[At_Trent]

It certainly is in an odd spot, right between The Lord’s Prayer and the Agnus Dei.

The unity and community is it’s goal, but that all falls apart as the Agun Dei is begun and some of us are still shaking hands. Not much time to refocus.

 

[MarkThompson]

It certainly is in an odd spot, right between The Lord’s Prayer and the Agnus Dei.

Yes and no. It’s in the same spot it’s always been, it’s just no longer reserved for the clergy alone to do at a solemn Mass.

 

[LongJohnSilver]

You have to remember that we worship together, not just individually. The sign of peace is a good reminder of that. The Liturgy offers enough time for individual worship. Cherish the times we show to God and ourselves that we are standing together for His throne.

 

[laszlo]

The sign of peace is optional, so in out Church we do not do that.

The original idea was, that Christ brought peace to the Earth and we all share this peace. His peace, so the focus is (should be) on Him. In the time of the renaissance people abused it, they forget Christ and focused on each other so the Church restricted it to the clergy and to the high Mass only.

Unfortunately the revival was no accompanied by appropriate Catechism, and the sign of peace became the social engineering for the people’s church, which put the human community to the center instead of Christ.

Hopefully sometimes it will be reinterpreted as reconciliation, as it was in the time of the Didache, and set to the beginning of the Mass before the Penitential rite.

 

[Cat]

When we were in RCIA, a nun gave a presentation and told us that during the Sign of Peace, we touch Jesus when we touch others, and we greet Jesus when we greet others.

I’ve always remembered that. It definitely takes the focus off of “me” and “my peeps” and keeps it on Jesus.

Perhaps instead of thinking of others in Mass as “peeps,” it would be helpful to think of them as “Christians.”

 

[heathernoel]

When we were in RCIA, a nun gave a presentation and told us that during the Sign of Peace, we touch Jesus when we touch others, and we greet Jesus when we greet others.

I’ve always remembered that. It definitely takes the focus off of “me” and “my peeps” and keeps it on Jesus.

Perhaps instead of thinking of others in Mass as “peeps,” it would be helpful to think of them as “Christians.”

Absolutely!

I was given a stark reminder of finding Christ at Mass when a little girl (not mine…LOL) ran down the aisle and hugged our Deacon in the middle of Mass…she turned around and smiled, and in that moment, I saw Him. I now greet those around me with reverence and excitement…

We are His body!

 

[GloriousOrder]

At first I was very squeamish about it, but now I’ve come to a way of doing it that doesn’t bother my conscience so much. The way most people tend to communicate the peace of Christ is very disturbing to me, but I try to go with a way that is genuine. Since the Holy Mass, as is, makes lawful provision for this sign, any priest or deacon who chooses to request the sign of peace among the laity is within his “rights”. There is no abuse in the notion itself, especially if people would exchange the sign with true peace, joy, reverence, and calm. Manhandling and groping one another seems to be the commonly-accepted practice among the laity, anyway.

My experience so far is that most people go around kissing, hugging, and doing absolutely ridiculous things - as if bin Laden was just killed again or their favourite sports team won a match. It would be very nice to see the laity exchanging a “wave” of peace from the front to the very back of the aisles, like the priest, deacon, and sub-deacon in the extraordinary form of the Mass. A true reconciliation by a light embrace on the shoulders and neck seems most Pauline in nature. It just “looks” and feels ancient. My dear friend, a Franciscan brother, always exchanges the sign in this manner when he is next to me: holding the open palms of our hands against each others’ shoulders, and embracing lightly. It is most brotherly! With strangers, I place my right hand over my heart (like an altar server), and bow to them, because I find that bowing is very conducive to peace and well-wishing to others.

 

[MaryandJoseph]

I once visited a parish where the Sign of Peace was done BEFORE the opening prayer. It seemed odd to me at the time but it turned out to be great.!!

Because this was the only time the S of P was done, there was NO distraction when our Lord came upon the Altar at the consecration of the Eucharist. My only issues are with the Our Father, but that is for another thread.

God’s eternal peace to all

 

[puzzleannie]

Hi,

D. Does anyone have any suggestions for me as to how I can keep my focus on the Eucharist without having to take part in the Sign of peace? Is it okay if I remain kneeling during this time?

Thanks. Sorry for all the question.

Little One0307

you should stand when it is time to stand after the great Amen. Take out a tissue and sneeze noisily into it an people will avoid you like the plague (this works in hand-holding parishes as well). You can also simply close your eyes and remain oblivious. Yes it has been bugging some of us for 40 years, but not being in charge, we live with it. Some Eastern rites do that ritual closer to the beginning of Mass as part of the penitential rite which makes far more sense to me, but again, I am not in charge, so when in Rome . . . .

 

[Little_One0307]

Hi all,

Morning.

Cat, hmm never thought of that before. Yeah notice the time of posting lol, I just was too tired to type out the world Catholics lol peeps was shorter.

puzzleannie - hmmm I should try sneezing like ya said, but then I do not want to be disturbing the peace either. I have tried closing my eyes and being oblivious but then you always get someone who grabs your hand anyway.

One of the things that appalled me during a Mass is I saw a couple give eachother a sign of peace and a French Kiss in Mass!!! among what they were saying which was not a conversation for Mass but for the privacy of their home. I guess after that, I never really felt comfortable about the sign of peace becuase everyone is moving and talking, and it is so distracting.

Maybe, just maybe someday they may reform the Novus Order and this will be addressed. Never thought of doing the sign of peace close to the Penetential Rite but it does fit there.

GloriousOrder I like your idea of bowing and placing your hand over your heart. I have never felt comfortable with shaking someone’s hand or touching them when I did not know them. And well it is always to the back of my mind wondering where their hands had been and that sort of thing. Man sometimes I think I am the only nut case that gets this distracted during the sign of peace. I wish I had the grace to feel peace about it as some of the posters have in this thread about it.

Thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut guys.

Little One0307

 

[dconklin]

You have to remember that we worship together, not just individually. The sign of peace is a good reminder of that. The Liturgy offers enough time for individual worship. Cherish the times we show to God and ourselves that we are standing together for His throne.

Exactly! We are about to go to Communion. We go as a community. We approach the Lord’s table as equals and should be at peace with one another. If we are only thinking of ourselves when we receive we have missed the message he is asking us to share.

 

[dixieagle]

When we were in RCIA, a nun gave a presentation and told us that during the Sign of Peace, we touch Jesus when we touch others, and we greet Jesus when we greet others.

I’ve always remembered that. It definitely takes the focus off of “me” and “my peeps” and keeps it on Jesus.

Perhaps instead of thinking of others in Mass as “peeps,” it would be helpful to think of them as “Christians.”

 

[Godfollower]

you should stand when it is time to stand after the great Amen. Take out a tissue and sneeze noisily into it an people will avoid you like the plague (this works in hand-holding parishes as well). You can also simply close your eyes and remain oblivious. Yes it has been bugging some of us for 40 years, but not being in charge, we live with it. Some Eastern rites do that ritual closer to the beginning of Mass as part of the penitential rite which makes far more sense to me, but again, I am not in charge, so when in Rome . . . .

You could also stand there, giving everyone your raised middle finger with both hands. They’ll probably avoid you then.

[/sarcasm off]

The Peace is intended to be a gesture of peace and solidarity and – dare I say it? – communion among the congregants before receiving Holy Communion. Here’s how St. Augustine described it:

Then, after the consecration of the Holy Sacrifice of God, because He wished us also to be His sacrifice, a fact which was made clear when the Holy Sacrifice was first instituted, and because that Sacrifice is a sign of what we are, behold, when the Sacrifice is finished, we say the Lord’s Prayer which you have received and recited. After this, the 'Peace be with you’ is said, and the Christians embrace one another with the holy kiss. This is a sign of peace; as the lips indicate, let peace be made in your conscience, that is, when your lips draw near to those of your brother, do not let your heart withdraw from his. Hence, these are great and powerful sacraments.

You might also want to recall what Jesus said about approaching the altar of God and the necessity of being reconciled to your brethren before doing so:

If therefore thou offer thy gift at the altar, and there thou remember that thy brother hath any thing 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.

Matthew 5:23-24.

Here’s what the Vatican has to say about the Peace:

[71.] The practice of the Roman Rite is to be maintained according to which the peace is extended shortly before Holy Communion. For according to the tradition of the Roman Rite, this practice does not have the connotation either of reconciliation or of a remission of sins, but instead signifies peace, communion and charity before the reception of the Most Holy Eucharist.[151] It is rather the Penitential Act to be carried out at the beginning of Mass (especially in its first form) which has the character of reconciliation among brothers and sisters.

[72.] It is appropriate “that each one give the sign of peace only to those who are nearest and in a sober manner”. “The Priest may give the sign of peace to the ministers but always remains within the sanctuary, so as not to disturb the celebration. He does likewise if for a just reason he wishes to extend the sign of peace to some few of the faithful”. “As regards the sign to be exchanged, the manner is to be established by the Conference of Bishops in accordance with the dispositions and customs of the people”, and their acts are subject to the recognitio of the Apostolic See.[152]

[73.] In the celebration of Holy Mass the breaking of the Eucharistic Bread – done only by the Priest celebrant, if necessary with the help of a Deacon or of a concelebrant – begins after the exchange of peace, while the Agnus Dei is being recited.

[Redemptionis Sacramentum](http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/c...0423_redemptionis-sacramentum_en.html#Chapter III) ¶¶ 71-73.

Now, a lot of people on CAF like to make the point that the Peace is optional. And they’re right, with one caveat: it’s optional at the option of the presider. So, when the priest or deacon says to exchange the peace with one another, that option has been exercised, and you should exchange the peace (“in a sober manner” and “only to those who are nearest,” of course – please don’t go wandering all over the church for ten minutes catching up on the news).

It’s a handshake. You shake other people’s hands – even strangers’ hands – all the time, at parties, work events, on being introduced to someone’s cousin’s mother’s hairdresser’s daughter; what’s wrong with shaking the hand of a fellow Christian during the Holy Mass and wishing him or her peace?

Remember the tale of the servant who received mercy from his master but was merciless toward his debtors (Mathhew 18:21-35). You’re approaching the Lord Himself, and you’re asking Him to accept you despite all of your faults. But you can’t wish Christ’s peace to your fellow parishioners first? How does that seem right to you?

 

[jwinch2]

You could also stand there, giving everyone your raised middle finger with both hands. They’ll probably avoid you then.

[/sarcasm off]

The Peace is intended to be a gesture of peace and solidarity and – dare I say it? – communion among the congregants before receiving Holy Communion. Here’s how St. Augustine described it:

You might also want to recall what Jesus said about approaching the altar of God and the necessity of being reconciled to your brethren before doing so:

Matthew 5:23-24.

Here’s what the Vatican has to say about the Peace:

[Redemptionis Sacramentum](http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/c...0423_redemptionis-sacramentum_en.html#Chapter III) ¶¶ 71-73.

Now, a lot of people on CAF like to make the point that the Peace is optional. And they’re right, with one caveat: it’s optional at the option of the presider. So, when the priest or deacon says to exchange the peace with one another, that option has been exercised, and you should exchange the peace (“in a sober manner” and “only to those who are nearest,” of course – please don’t go wandering all over the church for ten minutes catching up on the news).

It’s a handshake. You shake other people’s hands – even strangers’ hands – all the time, at parties, work events, on being introduced to someone’s cousin’s mother’s hairdresser’s daughter; what’s wrong with shaking the hand of a fellow Christian during the Holy Mass and wishing him or her peace?

Remember the tale of the servant who received mercy from his master but was merciless toward his debtors (Mathhew 18:21-35). You’re approaching the Lord Himself, and you’re asking Him to accept you despite all of your faults. But you can’t wish Christ’s peace to your fellow parishioners first? How does that seem right to you?

Very good information. Thank you for that. I frankly do not see the problem with this and in fact I love the sign of peace right where it is. I will admit that there are times when some take a bit too long exchanging waves with those across the congregation but I would rather have that then be in a place which was not a community and people did not care and love each other. After the sign of peace, I continue to hold hands with my wife. It feels as though we are approaching God together in our sacrament of marriage as one flesh. As another poster reminded us earlier, WE are the body of Christ.

 

[Warrenton]

You shake other people’s hands – even strangers’ hands – all the time, at parties, work events, on being introduced to someone’s cousin’s mother’s hairdresser’s daughter; what’s wrong with shaking the hand of a fellow Christian during the Holy Mass and wishing him or her peace?

It is precisely because I have to shake strangers’ hands in the world that I do not wish to do it at church.

Remember the tale of the servant who received mercy from his master but was merciless toward his debtors (Mathhew 18:21-35). You’re approaching the Lord Himself, and you’re asking Him to accept you despite all of your faults. But you can’t wish Christ’s peace to your fellow parishioners first? How does that seem right to you?

The Great Handshake has nothing to do with mercy or this parable. It has everything to do with form over substance.

 

[Tiberius1701]

The Peace is intended to be a gesture of peace and solidarity and – dare I say it? – communion among the congregants before receiving Holy Communion. Here’s how St. Augustine described it:

You might also want to recall what Jesus said about approaching the altar of God and the necessity of being reconciled to your brethren before doing so:

Matthew 5:23-24.

Here’s what the Vatican has to say about the Peace:

[Redemptionis Sacramentum](http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/c...0423_redemptionis-sacramentum_en.html#Chapter III) ¶¶ 71-73.

Now, a lot of people on CAF like to make the point that the Peace is optional. And they’re right, with one caveat: it’s optional at the option of the presider. So, when the priest or deacon says to exchange the peace with one another, that option has been exercised, and you should exchange the peace (“in a sober manner” and “only to those who are nearest,” of course – please don’t go wandering all over the church for ten minutes catching up on the news).

It’s a handshake. You shake other people’s hands – even strangers’ hands – all the time, at parties, work events, on being introduced to someone’s cousin’s mother’s hairdresser’s daughter; what’s wrong with shaking the hand of a fellow Christian during the Holy Mass and wishing him or her peace?

Remember the tale of the servant who received mercy from his master but was merciless toward his debtors (Mathhew 18:21-35). You’re approaching the Lord Himself, and you’re asking Him to accept you despite all of your faults. But you can’t wish Christ’s peace to your fellow parishioners first? How does that seem right to you?

This was an excellent post and expressed nearly everything I wanted to say on the subject, plus a couple other good points. The only thing I would add is that I’ve personally found the Sign of Peace to be an extremely efficatious ritual for exactly the purpose that Christ, through His Church, offers it to us: to grant peace between myself and others to keep us from defiling the Most Blessed Sacrament with our disunity. There have been numerous times, before Mass, that a small rift has formed, despite our best efforts at healing it, between my wife and I. We try to settle it before the Mass, we try to - without disrupting the Mass - settle it as we draw nearer to the Liturgy of the Eucharist. We try to no avail. Yet, every time the Sign of Peace comes during days like that, Christ grants His Grace through the Sign and we find Peace; the matter is settled and we are again perfectly one. My brother-in-law and his wife have said the same.

As several people have said here, the Sign of Peace is not meant to distract you from Christ, it is meant to remind you that you must make peace with your brother lest you defile the Sacrament. One of the effects of sin is to separate us from those around us as well as from God, and the Sign of Peace is meant to repair that rift, no matter how it is caused. As has been said again and again (because it is so profoundly true) that every baptized Christian is thus a member of the very Body of Christ. So, when you take your eyes off the Eucharistic Host to make peace with your brother, you are moving those same eyes to the Corporate Host. You are looking from Christ to Christ. So, if you find your brother repugnant, you are finding Christ’s Body repugnant.

Jesus loves you and wants to remind you of this Truth, so he discomfits you with the Sign of Peace to remind you that you must love your neighbor as yourself… Do not “love” him as if he is the disease-ridden rodent that you wish to shoo out of your house. (It is not even your house, it is the Lord’s!) Love him as if he was yourself. You want to stand there loving Christ as you prepare to take Him into yourself? Then stand there loving Christ around you, no matter how unlikeable He seems in the guise of the people standing around you, as you prepare to take Him into yourself. He deigns to allow His Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity into every single one of them, so if He can find it in His Heart to offer Himself to them, knowing far more about their inner filth than you could possibly know, the least you can do is touch your hand to theirs out of respect for your Savior’s choice to receive them as His Own Body.

And, in closing, if Blessed Teresa of Calcutta could see Jesus in the diseased and dying of the world, those who lived in the gutters and stank of bodily waste, I sincerely hope that each of us could at least teach ourselves to see Jesus in those who’ve showered, dressed up, brushed their teeth, combed their hair, and driven to church for Mass.

 

[Cat]

Another thing we were taught in RCIA, by a priest, is that when we process forward to receive Holy Communion, we are actually joining with Jesus on the altar of sacrifice, because we are becoming One with Him.

I have a great sense of this whenever I go to Mass. As I process forward, I often have the feeling that I am going forward to offer up my life for Him, to do whatever He wants me to do, give up whatever He wants me to give up. It’s quite sobering. And it’s always such a pleasure to make it to the front, and discover that Jesus is waiting not to “take my life,” but to give His Life to me.

At any rate, I know that many Christians around the world even today are offering their lives as martyrs. At this time, my faith is too weak to agree to be executed for Jesus. I trust that should I ever be asked to make this “ultimate sacrifice” for the Lord, that He will give me the courage and strength to go through with it.

And if that day should ever come when I do march to my death, I hope with all my heart that there are others with me helping me to take that walk. I’m not wishing for their death, but I am wishing that they will be there for me and with me, actually holding me up. I think that the touch of other believers would be very comforting at such a frightening time.

 

[Thomas_Casey]

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