Sign of Peace

[Deltapac]

I just read a thread a bit further down on the sign of peace and have a question. Our last priest never left the alter when he said “let us offer each other the sign of peace” . He reckoned that he couldn’t leave the alter at that time. Our new priest walks around and shakes hands all over the place. Who is right? Sorry to appear a little ignorant, but I’m relearning as I’m a bit rusty.
Also some mention they don’t like shaking hands, well I’m unfortunately a germophobe and hate it. But what do you do when people all around shove their hands almost in your face? The real problem is though like some of the others said, just keep your hands away from your face till you can wash them, but what if you want to go to communion? I have not been going to communion and this is one of the reasons why. Now please don’t blast me (legacy of being on another site), but comments welcome.

 

[dumspirospero]

First off…I could be wrong…which I have been before, but I do not believe the Priest is supposed to walk around and shake hands…secondly, I shake hands when I am at a NO Mass, but I am not a big fan of it…about the germs, I never worry about those …finally, I attend a TLM 90% of the time, so I don’t have to worry about germs…I just go to the altar rail and receive on my tongue

Deltapac:

I just read a thread a bit further down on the sign of peace and have a question. Our last priest never left the alter when he said “let us offer each other the sign of peace” . He reckoned that he couldn’t leave the alter at that time. Our new priest walks around and shakes hands all over the place. Who is right? Sorry to appear a little ignorant, but I’m relearning as I’m a bit rusty.
Also some mention they don’t like shaking hands, well I’m unfortunately a germophobe and hate it. But what do you do when people all around shove their hands almost in your face? The real problem is though like some of the others said, just keep your hands away from your face till you can wash them, but what if you want to go to communion? I have not been going to communion and this is one of the reasons why. Now please don’t blast me (legacy of being on another site), but comments welcome.

 

[chicago]

The priest can shake hands with a few people who might be around the altar (servers, other priests), but really shouldn’t be leaving that altar area to go shake with everybody and his uncle in the pews. They are permitted to do some of that discreetly on special occasions such as at a funeral Mass or when a dignitary is present. It’s not the end of the world if they do it more typically, but they really shouldn’t make such a habit of it or do it to an extreme.

The biggest difficulty with the sign of peace is that it gets out of hand. You’re basically supposed to simply share some sign with a few people nearby. But in some places it gets to be a big noisy scene with people running all over the place to shake and hug and who knows what.

If you don’t want to shake hands, I would suggest folding your hands in a position of prayer at your chest and just politely bow or slightly open your hands to indicate a polite gesture.

 

[Fidelis]

From the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM)

The Rite of Peace

1. The Rite of Peace follows, by which the Church asks for peace and unity for herself and for the whole human family, and the faithful express to each other their ecclesial communion and mutual charity before communicating in the Sacrament.

As for the sign of peace to be given, the manner is to be established by Conferences of Bishops in accordance with the culture and customs of the peoples. It is, however, appropriate that each person offer the sign of peace only to those who are nearest and in a sober manner.

 

[Panis_Angelicas]

A germiphobe might just want to place your hand upon your neighbor’s shoulder or arm, and say “Peace be with you,” before they can grab your hand!

And you can always receive Holy Communion on your tongue, rather than in your hand.

I agree that sometimes, it gets a little “out of hand” no pun intended…my kids (especially the young ones) want to leave the pew to shake a classmate’s hand, etc., and I tell them not to, as it is really just a time to briefly indicate that you are at peace with your neighbor, not a “social call.”

I’ve always understood that the priest is not to leave the sanctuary during this time…