sign of peace

  • Thread starter Thread starter moira
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
M

moira

Guest
At the beginning of Mass, the music director asks everyone to stand and greet and give a sign of peace to those around them. Isn’t this redundant since the sign of peace comes later in the Mass? I really dislike this as it turns the Mass into social hour.
 
At the beginning of Mass, the music director asks everyone to stand and greet and give a sign of peace to those around them
Click to expand...
And I don’t believe this is to be done either - not done in all Dioceses, Moria - probably a left-over from the O’Brien era.

The sign of peace, however, is optional and not required at all. I suppose if they eliminated this, those who believe it is necessary to “touch” to show love and communion to your fellow Catholics (those who also like hand holding during the Pater Noster) would be in an uproar.

I went to a daily N.O. Mass in Colorado where the priest exercised the option not to have the people offer the sign of peace - of course there were so few of us there and spread out everywhere it would have been impossible anyway:D
 
40.png
moira:
At the beginning of Mass, the music director asks everyone to stand and greet and give a sign of peace to those around them. Isn’t this redundant since the sign of peace comes later in the Mass? I really dislike this as it turns the Mass into social hour.
Click to expand...
The Mass begins with the “Sign of the Cross”. I guess that what happens before the “Sign of the Cross” or after the “final Blessing” is open to local custom?
 
Br. Rich SFO:
The Mass begins with the “Sign of the Cross”. I guess that what happens before the “Sign of the Cross” or after the “final Blessing” is open to local custom?
Click to expand...
So the opening procession is not part of the mass either? (sincere question).

Unfortunately local custom does prevail in this diocese currently - but does not the GIRM #45 say - :
“Even before the celebration itself, it is commendable that silence to be observed in the church, in the sacristy, in the vesting room, and in adjacent areas, so that all may dispose themselves to carry out the sacred action in a devout and fitting manner.”
Click to expand...
This being invited to stand and greet our neighbor and give them a sign of peace moves right to the processional opening hymn without sitting back down and some are still meeting and greeting during the first verse.
 
40.png
moira:
At the beginning of Mass, the music director asks everyone to stand and greet and give a sign of peace to those around them. Isn’t this redundant since the sign of peace comes later in the Mass? I really dislike this as it turns the Mass into social hour.
Click to expand...
This is very popular in protestant circles. Yet another infiltration 😦
 
GIRM #45 says, "Even before the celebration itself, it is commendable that silence is to be observed in the church, in the sacristy, in the vesting room and in adjacent areas so that all may dispose themselves to carry out the sacred action in a devout and fitting manner."Thanks Deo, that answered my next question. The other night at a parish council meeting I asked the pastor why there was so much talking and noise before Mass. We couldn’t even pray and get ready for Mass. Could we please ask people to tone it down a bit? I said that I thought the Mass was much more important than the social aspect. No answer from him, but the associate pastor said, “Yes, you are right. The Mass is much more important, I agree with you.” Of course, nothing will be done about it, but it was nice to get it out there.
 
40.png
NKY_Catholic:
This is very popular in protestant circles. Yet another infiltration 😦
Click to expand...
Probably so. And all of our music sounds like it comes from the top 40 hits list on the local Christian radio station. Yuck!

Today I am going to the Tridentine Mass where we will sing the good old hymns for opening and closing and the Pange Lingua for Communion.
 
Of course, nothing will be done about it, but it was nice to get it out there
Click to expand...
Sometimes these abuses do occur out of ignorance and so “getting it out there” could effect a change. I wonder when our new Bishop will be addressing some of the liturgical abuses in this Diocese (as I have faith he will eventually).
 
40.png
moira:
At the beginning of Mass, the music director asks everyone to stand and greet and give a sign of peace to those around them. Isn’t this redundant since the sign of peace comes later in the Mass? I really dislike this as it turns the Mass into social hour.
Click to expand...
This is done in my husband’s parish. I don’t like it either. It not only reduces the Mass to a “social hour,” it is forced and artificial.
 
First where does everyone get the copy of the girm from, (not to change the original post)

They do that meet and greet stuff at our church, It reminds of years ago we were at a Catholic church down south.
The first time I ever saw this, they did the meet and greet and one by one stood up to do announcements. Like Betty Sue went into labor last night, Peggy Jo is getting married this saturday. Etc. etc. It was then I knew I was really down south in the Baptist bible belt of the world. But I must note that the churches in the city down south were nothing like this. Its all about this community stuff, I think if you want to feel part of the community stay after and meet everyone for donuts.
 
Wow! Just this past week our parish has been discussing whether to keep the “greet your neighbor” attatched to our entrance rite or to do away with it. The stand up and “greet your neighbor” bothers me for a number of reasons. At our parish council meeting this past Sunday I also brought up the Sacred Silence, but father said the diocese said it was still o.k. I feel that if we want to greet people we should have greeters at the door.
I have been searching diligently for a concrete answer in the catechism too, but nothing…All I know is the bishops have said in the GIRM that “silence is commendable” not “stand up greet your neighbor and chit chat awhile is commendable” This is set me on a mission though, I am geting ready to write a letter to the NCCB about the need to address this violation of sacred silence. Doesn’t the word “sacred” stand for anything!
Does anyone know what the “local custom” exactly means that was spoke of in a prior post? Does that depend on each diocese?
Dawn
 
Is this a terrible thing, for us to greet each other at the beginning of Mass? I wonder if God finds that offensive really, people warmly greeting each other with love and friendliness? Maybe our Almighty Saviour will overlook this deviation from the rules in the interest of his loving mercy. I pray that this won’t further divide his people.
 
40.png
HumbleObedience:
Is this a terrible thing, for us to greet each other at the beginning of Mass? I wonder if God finds that offensive really, people warmly greeting each other with love and friendliness? Maybe our Almighty Saviour will overlook this deviation from the rules in the interest of his loving mercy. I pray that this won’t further divide his people.
Click to expand...
Excuse me for smiling, but I didn’t find this post humble or obedient 🙂
 
I didn’t know that I said anything terribly proud or disobedient deogratias. I try my best to honour our Lord in all my words and deeds and it makes me sad to see these harsh words. Your comment to me cuts my heart and hurts me, coming from a fellow lover of our Merciful Saviour. I only ask that we should have charity and love for one another as our primary goal.

I have never been to a Mass such as was described so I can’t visualise it exactly, but we did have a visiting priest once who had us greet our neighbour before he started the Holy Liturgy and it was really quite nice. I’m sorry if you disagreed and were offended by my remark dear friend, it wasn’t intended to be disrespectful to you or our loving Lord.🙂
 
40.png
HumbleObedience:
Is this a terrible thing, for us to greet each other at the beginning of Mass? I wonder if God finds that offensive really, people warmly greeting each other with love and friendliness? Maybe our Almighty Saviour will overlook this deviation from the rules in the interest of his loving mercy. I pray that this won’t further divide his people.
Click to expand...
It’s not such a terrible thing, but for me it takes the emphasis off of the Mass and puts it on the people. I’d rather save the meet and greet part for coffee and doughnuts.
 
Yes, Moira, I can see readily why many people feel the way you do. There’s so much confusion these days, with so many different people with different ideas. Some wish to approach the Mass more as a communal experience, others prefer to experience the mighty awe of the reality of God’s presence undistracted by others. It really becomes quite distressing if not to one, then to another. No one is satisfied.

However, I try my best personally to try and focus on the good aspect of worship whereever I find myself, otherwise I will slide into negetivity and despair. It’s quite a challange sometimes I’ll admit. So many people seem less serious and reverent and approach the Mass so casually, I catch myself wanting to judge them harshly and will need to bring it to confession and then impose penances on myself to help correct my erroneous attitudes. I struggle with this daily. I am such a pitiful sinner, I don’t know if I will ever be free of it. I pray that our Lady will give me the grace and love I need to more fully live out Christ’s commandments.
 
40.png
HumbleObedience:
I didn’t know that I said anything terribly proud or disobedient deogratias. I try my best to honour our Lord in all my words and deeds and it makes me sad to see these harsh words. Your comment to me cuts my heart and hurts me, coming from a fellow lover of our Merciful Saviour. I only ask that we should have charity and love for one another as our primary goal.

I have never been to a Mass such as was described so I can’t visualise it exactly, but we did have a visiting priest once who had us greet our neighbour before he started the Holy Liturgy and it was really quite nice. I’m sorry if you disagreed and were offended by my remark dear friend, it wasn’t intended to be disrespectful to you or our loving Lord.🙂
Click to expand...
 
40.png
HumbleObedience:
I didn’t know that I said anything terribly proud or disobedient deogratias. I try my best to honour our Lord in all my words and deeds and it makes me sad to see these harsh words. Your comment to me cuts my heart and hurts me, coming from a fellow lover of our Merciful Saviour. I only ask that we should have charity and love for one another as our primary goal.

I have never been to a Mass such as was described so I can’t visualise it exactly, but we did have a visiting priest once who had us greet our neighbour before he started the Holy Liturgy and it was really quite nice. I’m sorry if you disagreed and were offended by my remark dear friend, it wasn’t intended to be disrespectful to you or our loving Lord.🙂
Click to expand...
I am sorry I hurt your feelings, I only meant I found it amusing for some reason - because you appeared to be giving an opinion that deviation from the rules was okay (I always smile when we say in my humble opinion because I don’t think opinions are every humble - mine included). Please accept my apologies for offending you - I sometimes have a wry sense of humor I guess;)
 
Deogratias,
How kind of you to say such consoling words. It’s easy to misinterpert humour at times. I suppose all must always remember to give our brother or sister the benefit of the doubt. You sound very fervernt in your desire to serve our Lord correctly.

As far from any deviation from the rules, I confess that I am not a student of them. One cannot specialise in everything. I leave that in the hands of my superiours and try and trust them. I know they are flawed humans, but they have given their lives totally to God, how can I doubt them? Meanwhile I endevour to live my life in service to Christ, his mother Mary, the Angels and Saints, and his Holy Catholic Church. I lay my life in His loving hands
:gopray:
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top