Sign of Peace during OF

[Basilios]

Read my post above, number 56.

Your communion is not with Jesus alone. You don’t incorporate Jesus into your body. He incorporates you and everyone else present, into his body.

Yes, exactly. Which is why it is superfluous to have some lower expression of corporate unity when in fact through receiving Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament He draws you into Himself and does the same for each person thus you are all in Communion through Christ.

Being at Mass just for yourself and Jesus is not Catholic teaching.

Bizarre.

 

[Baelor]

However, when I’ve not been able to get to my usual parish if I travel - I usually sit at the back, try be alone, and treat the entire Canon as I would at the old Mass (that is, on my knees from the Sanctus all the way to receiving Communion).

As you know, rubrics are important:

43. The faithful should stand from the beginning of the Entrance Chant, or while the Priest approaches the altar, until the end of the Collect; for the Alleluia Chant before the Gospel; while the Gospel itself is proclaimed; during the Profession of Faith and the Universal Prayer; and from the invitation, Orate, fratres (Pray, brethren), before the Prayer over the Offerings until the end of Mass, except at the places indicated here below.
…
In the Dioceses of the United States of America, they should kneel beginning after the singing or recitation of the Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy) until after the Amen of the Eucharistic Prayer, except when prevented on occasion by ill health, or for reasons of lack of space, of the large number of people present, or for another reasonable cause. However, those who do not kneel ought to make a profound bow when the Priest genuflects after the Consecration. The faithful kneel after the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) unless the Diocesan Bishop determines otherwise.[53]

For the sake of uniformity in gestures and bodily postures during one and the same celebration, the faithful should follow the instructions which the Deacon, a lay minister, or the Priest gives, according to what is laid down in the Missal.

Did I miss something? The OF has a separate rubric. It is clearly inappropriate for you to dismiss reality and substitute your own.

I will not hold hands during the recitation of The Our Father. does that make me a radical? I think the shaking of hands has gotten way out of control. It is absolutely ludicrous. We are talking moderation here.

Holding hands during the Our Father is not a requirement and is not in the rubrics. Shaking hands excessively is similarly not required. Why would you consider refusal to do that which is totally unnecessary and even problematic radical?

There’s no need for the handshaking.

There is no need for a congregation, and yet one is often present. There is no need for bells or incense or most things, and yet they are often present and good when used properly. So too with the Sign of Peace.

A kiss of peace, at a different time, according to good traditional liturgical custom, yes, why not. But there’s a mistake in using the handshaking as a means of expressing corporate unity when in fact the higher expression is right there what you are there for - Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

Affection and respect is often shown in the USA by a handshake.

I am not at Mass for anybody but Jesus. That’s not “Jesus and me” thinking; that’s just Catholicism.

We worship Jesus as a congregation.

 

[jim1130]

Yes, exactly. Which is why it is superfluous to have some lower expression of corporate unity when in fact through receiving Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament He draws you into Himself and does the same for each person thus you are all in Communion through Christ.

Bizarre.

I am at Mass to bring public praise and glory to God and thank Christ for his sacrifice for me, a sinner. I do not necessarily think about those around me other than the community of believers and worshipers because who knows what is transpiring through their minds during the Mass. I do not know what is in their hearts. I know that during the Mass my heart, mind, body, soul all should be directed toward God. Am I successful 100 % of the time? Hardly, but that is my goal and mission. the Catholic Massis about reverance and worship of God.

 

[Basilios]

Did I miss something? The OF has a separate rubric. It is clearly inappropriate for you to dismiss reality and substitute your own.

Thanks, but I have the blessing of my spiritual director to do this.

Affection and respect is often shown in the USA by a handshake.

Yeah. I wasn’t talking about that though.

We worship Jesus as a congregation.

Yup. Don’t deny it.

 

[clem456]

This is definitely a slippery slope thing. What’s next?

Peace Bro…YAAAHHHHH…back at ya

(make sure you keep your shirt tucked in though, unlike the guy on the right, who is clearly abusing the liturgy by showing his stomach.)

 

[Jenny35]

on a thread critical of the OF of the Mass, I observe that people are picking and choosing what part of Mass they want to participate in, much like any good cafeteria catholic or protestant. this time its the sign of peace, next time it will be something else. it doesn’t really matter, the specific issue is merely a pretext to complain about the OF.

You don’t me and you don’t know my intent. Please stop hijacking my thread with YOUR complaints.

 

[Jenny35]

It’s not a social meet-and-greet. These are people we are supposed to pray for and supposed to give our lives for if called upon to do so. To turn, greet, wish them the peace of Christ, pray for their salvation while Christ is present on the altar, is a good work, an generous act for the benefit of their salvation.

-Tim-

I’m already praying for every single person present, and many who are not present. Interacting with them during said prayer, for me at least, is distracting. I’m more likely to then think about their attire or something else completely mundane than the state of their soul (I always pray for mercy for us all) or their private intentions.

 

[Lucky7]

on a thread critical of the OF of the Mass, I observe that people are picking and choosing what part of Mass they want to participate in, much like any good cafeteria catholic or protestant. this time its the sign of peace, next time it will be something else. it doesn’t really matter, the specific issue is merely a pretext to complain about the OF.

Please stop equating reactions/responses towards liturgy with those towards doctrine.

 

[Lucky7]

I enjoy the sign of peace; however, it is way out of control anymore. It really rankles me that people are spilling over pew backs and fronts to shake any and everyone’s hand. The shaking of hands is still going on when we begin “the Lamb of God.” I have no problem if we shed it altogether, but since we do practice it I limit the number of hands I shake.

It is like hand holding during the Our Father. I don’t do it.

I actually tend to like it as well (but don’t get my husband started on this!). However, I could do without the added invitations to greet each other just prior to mass. It seems so forced.

Like you, I do not hold hands during the Our Father.

 

[Lucky7]

OP, I just wanted to add one thing wrt some of your other comments. If you feel you should refrain from receiving by all means! However, please do not stop going to Mass because of the Sign of Peace. I am surprised no one has said this yet, but to skip (Sunday) mass intentionally is a mortal sin. We must attend even if we do not receive communion.

K?

Edit: Ooops. It looks like you are only referring to daily mass. Mea culpa.

 

[spartan_cop]

That was incredibly rude and judgmental. Who are you to say that I have deep problems? I have a very personal reasons for abstaining at this time which are NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS.

I feel incredibly sorry for you that you have the gall to pass such judgment. You don’t know the state of my heart. Only God knows that.

It’s typical of this forum. Many on here will say you are the judgmental one for having a preference yet these people on here constantly come to the traditional section to see who they can bash on next with their high and mighty attitude. A lot of arrogance disguised in charity on this forum hence why I tend to avoid and only check in once and a while.

 

[spartan_cop]

I can’t disagree.

the purpose could have been explained more thoroughly, nevertheless, if the Church requires it, we are obligated to obey.

And yet unorthodox catholics questions dogmatic and moral issue when and are told nothing. Yet, a faithful Catholic questions a mere practice and they are shun and pushed to excommunication.

 

[Brandall]

First of all, I’m not Catholic yet and I really like the sign of peace.

on a thread critical of the OF of the Mass, I observe that people are picking and choosing what part of Mass they want to participate in, much like any good cafeteria catholic or protestant. this time its the sign of peace, next time it will be something else. it doesn’t really matter, the specific issue is merely a pretext to complain about the OF.

My friend, this is a Catholic family fight, how about leaving the protestants out of it.

Unfortunately, they leave the pew in my Parish, even going across the aisles to get to their friends waaay over there, and call out to each other, almost getting conversations going, at times. I find it terribly distracting. And I am one of those who prefers to avoid the “germy” hands also, as my husband has a very real and life-threatening illness. He simply can’t afford even one more case of cold/flu again. Two weeks in ICU for lung related issues last time was two weeks too many for me. I’m with you, Jenny35, whatever your reason.

At the church I attend, no one is going across any aisles or speak in a loud voice. I’m kind of glad I’ve stumbled across this thread as it has never occurred to me that some would prefer not to participate. Now if someone abstains from the function, I’ll just respect that they have their reasons and leave it at that.

It really is unfortunate that this topic is so polarizing. The SOP is a little “t” tradition. If you are uncomfortable shaking hands don’t do it. God gave you, me and everyone free will and the right to choose what we do. The Church should never dictate that you must do something… lest it become a legalistic, rules based organization focused more on telling it’s faithful what they cannot rather than focusing on living out a life centered on Christ and his example.

Its actually very simple… you get more flies with honey than you do with vinegar.

And a word on charity for some of the posters in this thread…(as I tell my young children)…If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all. I sometimes daydream about how great our world would be if we were all struck dumb for 6 months and there was no talking… We would truly see who the Christians are…

I find the Catholic church to be more legalistic and rules based than any church I’ve ever attended and I don’t think that a bad thing. As long as there is a lot of love mixed in, it can be a good combination.

I will not hold hands during the recitation of The Our Father. does that make me a radical? I think the shaking of hands has gotten way out of control. It is absolutely ludicrous. We are talking moderation here.

I’m the only one in my family that attends a Catholic church so the hand holding isn’t something that happens to me often. Occasionally, a stranger will grab my hand and I don’t mind. In fact, it seems really kind and touching but to each his own. I’m kind of an introvert so it would be unusual for me to be making a grab for anyone’s hand. Now that I know that some find it offensive, I’ll try to avoid that.

As I mentioned earlier, the sign of peace is far from distracting at my church.

You don’t do the sign of peace. You pray it.

It is an empty action, void of meaning, unless in the back of your mind you are praying to Jesus, present on the altar, to really and truly grant those around you his peace, the same peace he breathed on the disciples in the upper room when he appeared to them after having risen from the dead.

And guess what… every consecration is a little Easter, a ressurection of Jesus who becomes present in the physical world on the altar. As he appeared to the disciples in the upper room, he does for us, appearing on the altar so that we can be at peace. And just like he breathed on the disciples in that upper room when he appeared to them, he breathes the breath of life into us, and we should be doing the same for everyone around us, praying for them, wishing them peace, and showing a visible sign of our prayer by acknowledging their presence, shaking their hand, etc.

The sign of peace is not just an action. It is a prayer. At least that’s the way I see it. It is not something you do but something you pray.

-Tim-

I’m certainly not looking to get involved in your argument but I just found this to be a very lovely sentiment and wanted to thank you for sharing it.

I’m already praying for every single person present, and many who are not present. Interacting with them during said prayer, for me at least, is distracting. I’m more likely to then think about their attire or something else completely mundane than the state of their soul (I always pray for mercy for us all) or their private intentions.

Daily mass is quite different in my church. There is a small chapel that could seat at most maybe 100 worshipers. When I can go, it’s usually the 6:30 AM mass and it’s unusual for there to be more than 20 people there. I like to sit near the front and I would just show the sign of peace to those immediately around me.

I’ve learned a lot through this thread and if you have reasons not to do it, it wouldn’t offend me. Feel free to add me to your prayers at the next mass and I’ll do the same for you. in fact, we could start tonight.

 

[larsont7]

It’s typical of this forum. Many on here will say you are the judgmental one for having a preference yet these people on here constantly come to the traditional section to see who they can bash on next with their high and mighty attitude. A lot of arrogance disguised in charity on this forum hence why I tend to avoid and only check in once and a while.

Well said.

 

[Jenny35]

OP, I just wanted to add one thing wrt some of your other comments. If you feel you should refrain from receiving by all means! However, please do not stop going to Mass because of the Sign of Peace. I am surprised no one has said this yet, but to skip (Sunday) mass intentionally is a mortal sin. We must attend even if we do not receive communion.

K?

Edit: Ooops. It looks like you are only referring to daily mass. Mea culpa.

No worries. Thanks for looking out

 

[larsont7]

My daily Mass option is the OF. Frankly, I dread the sign of peace during the consecration. It is highly distracting and out of place. We are essentially at Calvary during the consecration, yet we pause for a social meet and greet.

I don’t know if I’m the first one to point this out (skipped over pages 3 and 4), but is this correct that the Sign of Peace is being offered “during the Consecration”? If this is the case, then this is a major abuse and you should contact the priest, and if necessary, the bishop. The Sign of Peace should definitely come AFTER the Consecration.

That being said, I’m with you about the Sign of Peace in general. I rarely attend the OF anymore, but when I do, I prefer sitting apart from the rest of the congregation if possible.

 

[Baelor]

Thanks, but I have the blessing of my spiritual director to do this.

The GIRM rubric is clear and does not make exceptions for spiritual directors.

 

[Jenny35]

I’ve learned a lot through this thread and if you have reasons not to do it, it wouldn’t offend me. Feel free to add me to your prayers at the next mass and I’ll do the same for you. in fact, we could start tonight.

Absolutely.

Father, for the sake of His sorrowful passion, have mercy on us, sinners.