sign of peace

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naroad

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Am I the only one who thinks this is an imposition? More colds and flus are caught from this and it isn’t comfortable for me to hold other peoples hands. I think this one thing is the greatest cause of Catholic churches emptying since Vatican 2 imposed this inanity of us.
 
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naroad:
Am I the only one who thinks this is an imposition? More colds and flus are caught from this and it isn’t comfortable for me to hold other peoples hands. I think this one thing is the greatest cause of Catholic churches emptying since Vatican 2 imposed this inanity of us.
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Yes, I agree. I have become less and less likely to shake anyones hand. I prefer a simple nod and saying, “Peace”. I have noticed this from other folks too particuarly with the elder folk. Sometimes I feel a bit odd not taking someone’s hand when they offer it, but how else can we put a stop to this? We don’t have to shake someone’s hand.

Micki
 
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naroad:
Am I the only one who thinks this is an imposition? More colds and flus are caught from this and it isn’t comfortable for me to hold other peoples hands. I think this one thing is the greatest cause of Catholic churches emptying since Vatican 2 imposed this inanity of us.
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Are you saying that they died of the flu? (Just kidding).
It sounds like you are mixing up the sign of peace with holding hands during the “Our Father”. I do the former, but not the latter.
I have heard a priest say that the “sign of peace” is optional and that he doesn’t do it, but rather goes directly to the “Agnus Dei”.
His comment was that, while it is well intentioned to make peace with our brother before coming to Communion, it breaks up the continuity of the Liturgy.
 
It makes me a little uncomfortable, but to say it causes people not to come to church may be a bit of a overstatement.
Alot of things that cause us discomfort can become a grace when we overcome them and cooperate.
A relative of mine carries water free hand cleanser and discreatly uses that after the sign of peace( you could also carry those hand wipes).
I think the main causes of the churchs emptying out after Vatican 2 are misinformation and the self centeredness of the people of our times.
Thanks for bringing up this subject, I always feel like the only one who really doesn’t want to shake hands. I always ask the Holy Spirit to enter into the process and always feel good about the greeting afterwards.
 
I’ve always thought a better place for the Sign of Peace would be right after the Prayers of the Faithful, just before the gifts are brought up to the altar. It would signify the shift in focus from the pulpit to the altar, as well as rid the problem of the Real Presence being all but forgotten in the hubbub that surrounds the shaking of hands and the natural tendency for people to chat. Yes?
 
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naroad:
Am I the only one who thinks this is an imposition? More colds and flus are caught from this and it isn’t comfortable for me to hold other peoples hands. I think this one thing is the greatest cause of Catholic churches emptying since Vatican 2 imposed this inanity of us.
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Personally if some one extends their hands to me I shake them because I really dont think that Jesus wouldnt shake their hand. As far as the sign of peace is concerned it can also be a wave or some other form of peace that doesnt involve shaking hands. I prefer to shake.
 
My understanding was that the timing of the sign of peace was in reference to Jesus telling someone to put down their sacrifice and reconcile with their brothers first before offering the sacrifice. Since the mass is a sacrifice, this makes sense.
 
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dljl:
My understanding was that the timing of the sign of peace was in reference to Jesus telling someone to put down their sacrifice and reconcile with their brothers first before offering the sacrifice. Since the mass is a sacrifice, this makes sense.
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That sounds like the thinking that went into the decision to place it where it is. Unfortunately, it hasn’t worked well in practice. It’s more like an interruption than a true reconciliation. After all, most of the people close by in the pew aren’t very likely to be those with whom one needs to be reconciled, but are usually family members, friends, or strangers. And I know family members ought to be reconciled to each other, but a simple hand shake doesn’t do the idea justice, IMHO, and is a distraction at a time when people’s attention ought to be on the altar not on one another.
 
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Della:
That sounds like the thinking that went into the decision to place it where it is. Unfortunately, it hasn’t worked well in practice. It’s more like an interruption than a true reconciliation. After all, most of the people close by in the pew aren’t very likely to be those with whom one needs to be reconciled, but are usually family members, friends, or strangers. And I know family members ought to be reconciled to each other, but a simple hand shake doesn’t do the idea justice, IMHO, and is a distraction at a time when people’s attention ought to be on the altar not on one another.
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Yes, plus the fact that many people sadly don’t realize that the mass is a sacrifice in the first place.
 
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Della:
I’ve always thought a better place for the Sign of Peace would be right after the Prayers of the Faithful, just before the gifts are brought up to the altar. It would signify the shift in focus from the pulpit to the altar, as well as rid the problem of the Real Presence being all but forgotten in the hubbub that surrounds the shaking of hands and the natural tendency for people to chat. Yes?
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I think it should be right at the start of Mass.
 
I have no problem with the Sign of Peace (although I think it could perhaps be moved to a different part of the Mass, like, right at the beginning). I do hate all the silly hand-shaking, though – it makes it seem like a business meeting or a cocktail party. I would much prefer to bow, similar to what Asian people might do.

And add me to the group of people who wonders how one “reconciles oneself” to anyone by shaking hands with a total stranger – it’s not as if the strangers and I have ever had an argument or shared cross words.
Carrie Andrews:
A relative of mine carries water free hand cleanser and discreatly uses that after the sign of peace( you could also carry those hand wipes).
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I have tried this, but it’s very hard to do so discreetly – the odor of that stuff spreads like wildfire, and I can just imagine everyone thinking “Oh, Miss Clean is washing off our germs.” 😃

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While our parish is pretty involved in handshaking, some do just smile or wave and I usually join them; preferably with a smile.

However, when I visit my brother’s parish on the coast you have to be prepared!

Everyone in the church, including the priest, walk or actually run around the church to find all their friends, or in some cases, everybody, to shake hands with a give loud greetings. Not just “peace be with you”, but “hi” and “how are ya?” , “what are you doing after mass?”, huge hugs, tickling babies and actually carrying on conversations!

It all takes what seems to be FOREVER! And then everyone tries to settle down and remember where they are and what is going on. Very disturbing.
 
I like the sign of peace, its a friendly kind of rite, which shows how far we’ve come as American Catholics.

Back in the day, when I was a kid, many Catholic churches certainly around here maintained segregation of the races, no blacks allowed.

Nowadays not only can I see African American women in the pews, I can also be bearhugged by one of them.

Its like we’ve come full circle.
 
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Kielbasi:
I like the sign of peace, its a friendly kind of rite, which shows how far we’ve come as American Catholics.

Back in the day, when I was a kid, many Catholic churches certainly around here maintained segregation of the races, no blacks allowed.

Nowadays not only can I see African American women in the pews, I can also be bearhugged by one of them.

Its like we’ve come full circle.
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What do ya mean? Your church doesn’t allow African American men inside?

Disturbing indeed. 😦
 
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naroad:
Am I the only one who thinks this is an imposition? More colds and flus are caught from this and it isn’t comfortable for me to hold other peoples hands. I think this one thing is the greatest cause of Catholic churches emptying since Vatican 2 imposed this inanity of us.
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Boy, if the handshakes cause flus, the Kiss of Peace must cause the black death.
 
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RobNY:
Boy, if the handshakes cause flus, the Kiss of Peace must cause the black death.
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Only if you kiss on the lips! 😉

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naroad:
Am I the only one who thinks this is an imposition? More colds and flus are caught from this and it isn’t comfortable for me to hold other peoples hands. I think this one thing is the greatest cause of Catholic churches emptying since Vatican 2 imposed this inanity of us.
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Your church doesn’t pass out disposable gloves 🙂
 
if you really object to this as a matter of hygiene, especially if you have an impaired immune system or other reason to be especially careful of infection, I assume you also refuse to shake hands when introduced to new people, in business situations etc. Also I assume you avoid other situations that might lead to infection i.e. touching doorknobs and light switches in public places, using public phones, other places where viruses can spread by contact.
 
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