Sign of Peace

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From what I have read, where the Sign of Peace is located is quite historical.
I know that there is a letter from a Saint to the Roman Emperor discussing the structure of the Mass, and the Sign of Peace is located before Communion.

However, in our day and age, I can see the location needing to be moved.
 
hm i’m the only one who put “not interested”. 😊

i’m not saying absolutely yes or no because it would depend on the change and the reasoning for it. it is tradition after all, and tradition can be changed…
 
At a Maronite Rite parish I once attended, they have a very reverent way of giving the Sign of Peace. At the altar, the priest places his hands together as if in prayer. The acolytes then place their hands over the priest’s hands and draw their hands back, leaving them together as the priest’s hands are. While the priest remains in the sanctuary, the acolytes then go to the front pews with their hands together. The first person in each pew draws their hands over the acolyte’s hands in the same manner. That person then turns to his neighbor with hands together and repeats the process until everyone has “received” peace from their neighbor. This is much more meaningful than shaking hands with as many people as possible before the Agnus Dei begins. Unfortunately, this is not part of Roman tradition.
 
As an interesting note to how I have seen it done: Sunday I attended Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Abbey (Trappist). The monk priests were concelebrating Mass, and the Abbot was not the principle clebrant. At the Kiss of Peace, I noticed that the Abbot went up to the principle celebrant; they placed their hands on each other’s shoulders and leaned inward in what was like a formal embrace (for lack of a better term, although I usually associate that with arms around each other) and I saw him say “Peace be with you” to the celebrant. Very dignified, more so than a hand shake. I did not watch further to see what the other monks were doing, however.
 
I like it where it is. As the music director, I have a little control over how long the Signs of Peace last. I watch the priest and when he begins breaking the host, I begin the Agnus Dei. Our Sign of Peace last approximately 30 to 40 seconds… just long enough to give a sign of peace to your immediate neighbors.
 
Brendan said:
This is why it is an optional part of the Liturgy. The priest, acting in persona Christi, has already given us the peace. We posses it and those next to us cannot add to it in anyway. They might only signify what we already know. That the Peace was given.
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When the priest says to the congregation “Peace be with you” and we say “And also with you” before the Sign of Peace begins, it seems like this profound moment is reduced when the priest and the people shake hands again a moment later.

Imo also if there are no altar servers during the Mass the priest shouldn’t leave the Body and Blood out of reverence and respect to Jesus and the Consecration that has occurred.
 
The “sign of Peace” should be given to one another after Mass in the parish hall, where we should all gather for a good meal and “religious education”.
 
According to Mass Rubric 112 the Sign of Peace is optional. Where I lived in Toronto the Oratorians had completely removed it from ALL of the Masses.

The Priest is not permitted to leave the Sanctuary during Mass so they shouldn’t be shaking hands with People in the main body of the Church.

As for Community, think about this. When you go to visit someone at their home, your home or wherever you meet. You shake their hands at the VERY BEGINNING when you FIRST meet them. Not in the middle of a conversation. Mass is the Worship of God. Its not “Celebrating Community”.
 
Pat_the_Cat said:
From the introduction to the order of the Mass (on the sign of peace)

“The biblical concept of peace includes total well-being, a life in harmony with God and ourselves, with our neighbours, and with the whole of creation. Such peace can only be the pure gift of god. It is won for us by the risen Christ present in the midst of those gathered, and so it is the peace of Christ that is exchanged.”

I still think that it is a beautiful part of the mass when done properly! :hug3:
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Exactly, the priest exchanges it with us. That is done at EVERY Mass, and rightly so. And that exchange IS a beautiful part of Mass.

The Signification (Sign) of that is optional, and rightly so. It’s a disruption of the beauty.
 
MH84 said:
When the priest says to the congregation “Peace be with you” and we say “And also with you” before the Sign of Peace begins, it seems like this profound moment is reduced when the priest and the people shake hands again a moment later.

Imo also if there are no altar servers during the Mass the priest shouldn’t leave the Body and Blood out of reverence and respect to Jesus and the Consecration that has occurred.
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According to the GIRM, he shouldn’t leave the sanctuary when there are altar servers, except in limited circumstances.
 
I find my current parish’s practice very interesting. In my parish, no one shakes hands, but rather, we bow to each other. The reason? I’m going to Mass in Korea.
I like it, and I wish bowing was a part of American and Western culture the way it is in Korean culture. The bows seem much more respectful, and people don’t chat as much. And no one spends too much time in a bow.
Now I just need to ask my friend how to say “Peace be with you” in Korean.
 
Brendan said:
Exactly, the priest exchanges it with us. That is done at EVERY Mass, and rightly so. And that exchange IS a beautiful part of Mass.

The Signification (Sign) of that is optional, and rightly so. It’s a disruption of the beauty.
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If we threw out every little bit that somone didn’t like, just because it wasn’t done well, then we wouldn’t have much left!

I think People need to change, NOT the Liturgy!

We need to understand the beauty of the liturgy, by asking ourselves and each other “Why do we do the things we do?” and "How can we do it in a way that gives more glory to God?"When giving/receiving the sign of peace people need to be taught to do it the way that Holy Mother Church prescribes, by following the direction given to us.
“The Challenge of Peace: God’s Promise and Our Response” Pastoral Statement Issued by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops U.S.A. (May 3, 1983)
295. The Mass in particular is a unique means of seeking God’s help to create the conditions essential for true peace in ourselves and in the world. In the Eucharist we encounter the risen Lord, who gave us his peace. He shares with us the grace of redemption, which helps us to preserve and nourish this precious gift. Nowhere is the Church’s urgent plea for peace more evident in the liturgy than in the Communion Rite. After beginning this rite of the Mass with the Lord’s Prayer, praying for reconciliation now and in the kingdom to come, the community asks God to “grant us peace in our day,” not just at some time in the distant future. Even before we are exhorted “to offer each other the sign of peace,” the priest continues the Church’s prayer of peace, recalling the Lord Jesus Christ’s own legacy of peace:

“Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles: I leave you peace, my peace I give you. Look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and grant us the peace and unity of your kingdom.”

**Therefore, we encourage every Catholic to make the sign of peace at Mass an authentic sign of our reconciliation with God and with one another. This sign of peace is also a visible expression of our commitment to work for peace as a Christian community. We approach the table of the Lord only after having dedicated ourselves as a Christian community to peace and reconciliation. As an added sign of commitment, we suggest that there always be a petition for peace in the general intercessions at every Eucharistic celebration.
(sorry for long quote, I usually hate them, but I thought this one would be useful)

usccb.org
 
valient_Lucy said:
I find my current parish’s practice very interesting. In my parish, no one shakes hands, but rather, we bow to each other. The reason? I’m going to Mass in Korea.
I like it, and I wish bowing was a part of American and Western culture the way it is in Korean culture. The bows seem much more respectful, and people don’t chat as much. And no one spends too much time in a bow.
Now I just need to ask my friend how to say “Peace be with you” in Korean.
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When I was in Portugal in '88 their Sign of Peace was a kiss on each side of the cheek.
 
Pat_the_Cat said:
If we threw out every little bit that somone didn’t like, just because it wasn’t done well, then we wouldn’t have much left!

I think People need to change, NOT the Liturgy!

We need to understand the beauty of the liturgy, by asking ourselves and each other “Why do we do the things we do?” and "How can we do it in a way that gives more glory to God?"When giving/receiving the sign of peace people need to be taught to do it the way that Holy Mother Church prescribes, by following the direction given to us.
“The Challenge of Peace: God’s Promise and Our Response” Pastoral Statement Issued by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops U.S.A. (May 3, 1983)
295. The Mass in particular is a unique means of seeking God’s help to create the conditions essential for true peace in ourselves and in the world. In the Eucharist we encounter the risen Lord, who gave us his peace. He shares with us the grace of redemption, which helps us to preserve and nourish this precious gift. Nowhere is the Church’s urgent plea for peace more evident in the liturgy than in the Communion Rite. After beginning this rite of the Mass with the Lord’s Prayer, praying for reconciliation now and in the kingdom to come, the community asks God to “grant us peace in our day,” not just at some time in the distant future. Even before we are exhorted “to offer each other the sign of peace,” the priest continues the Church’s prayer of peace, recalling the Lord Jesus Christ’s own legacy of peace:

“Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles: I leave you peace, my peace I give you. Look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and grant us the peace and unity of your kingdom.”

**Therefore, we encourage every Catholic to make the sign of peace at Mass an authentic sign of our reconciliation with God and with one another. This sign of peace is also a *visible expression ***of our commitment to work for peace as a Christian community. We approach the table of the Lord only after having dedicated ourselves as a Christian community to peace and reconciliation. As an added sign of commitment, we suggest that there always be a petition for peace in the general intercessions at every Eucharistic celebration.
(sorry for long quote, I usually hate them, but I thought this one would be useful)

usccb.org
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The thing is the liturgy did change when it introduced the Sign of Peace to the people.
 
I am not fond of the ‘sign of peace’ at all, and would prefer that it be excluded altogether. Unfortunately, not only do we have the usual sign of peace - now our parish has asked everybody to “greet each other” just before mass starts. It’s become a loud, feel-good ‘love-fest’. I value that time for quiet prayer and preparation for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and find this display of unnecessary social interaction to be an intrusion on that time.
 
sneakers said:
I am not fond of the ‘sign of peace’ at all, and would prefer that it be excluded altogether. Unfortunately, not only do we have the usual sign of peace - now our parish has asked everybody to “greet each other” just before mass starts. It’s become a loud, feel-good ‘love-fest’. I value that time for quiet prayer and preparation for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and find this display of unnecessary social interaction to be an intrusion on that time.
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This is a Liturgical abuse! :tsktsk:
It’s things like this that make it so difficult for us Catholics to love the liturgy!
No priest has the authority to change the layout of the Mass or the customs we use without prior consent from the proper authorities!

:twocents: : Holy Mother Church has suggested that it is a good thing for us to share a sign of peace, after the Our Father, to make us physically aware that our communion is with the WHOLE BODY of Christ. Including that person next to you that you might not like. The sign of peace shows that we dont just **feel **it, or **think **it, we **do **it. We reject communion with Christ if we reject communion with any one of our brothers and sisters. “What you do to the least of these brothers, you do unto me”.
It’s a pity that the sign of peace is done so badly in places, but together, we (The Church) can make it holy again, a beautiful sign of our unity with each other and our love for each other. Our “Bodies” need to sense God’s presence, and you may be the only loving physical contact that another person receives. You may be the only “sign” of peace in that persons life. So do it well.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9).
 
childofmary1143 said:
When I was in Portugal in '88 their Sign of Peace was a kiss on each side of the cheek.
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I wouldn’t like that as much as I like the bow. A kiss is too intimate, and a handshake is too informal. A bow is very respectful, and it keeps you from visiting with other parishioners.
 
At my Parish, the sign of peace lasts about forty-fifty seconds. Just long enough to shake hand with the people around you. I hate it when it becomes a huge free-for-all. When it lasts over two minutes, I’m like “OKAY!!! WE GET THE POINT!” in my head. :rolleyes:
 
Pat_the_Cat said:
If we threw out every little bit that somone didn’t like, just because it wasn’t done well, then we wouldn’t have much left!

I think People need to change, NOT the Liturgy!

We need to understand the beauty of the liturgy, by asking ourselves and each other “Why do we do the things we do?” and "How can we do it in a way that gives more glory to God?"When giving/receiving the sign of peace people need to be taught to do it the way that Holy Mother Church prescribes, by following the direction given to us.
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Part of understanding the Beauty of the Liturgy is understanding why optional parts are optional.

Mostly because their lack does not, by defintion, detract from the inherent beauty of the Liturgy.

So, to use your point of “Why do we do the things we do?”, Why exactly DID the Church make the exchange of the Sign optional?

If the Deacon chose (as is his right) to not call for the exchange of the Sign, does the Mass then lack in any way that the Church calls for?
 
Pat_the_Cat said:
Therefore, we encourage every Catholic to make the sign of peace at Mass an authentic sign of our reconciliation with God and with one another. This sign of peace is also a *visible expression *of our commitment to work for peace as a Christian community. We approach the table of the Lord only after having dedicated ourselves as a Christian community to peace and reconciliation. As an added sign of commitment, we suggest that there always be a petition for peace in the general intercessions at every Eucharistic celebration.
(sorry for long quote, I usually hate them, but I thought this one would be useful)

usccb.org
Click to expand...
FYI, are you aware that the Vatican corrected the bishops error in this document with Redemptionis Sacramentum

Redemptionis Sacramentum
[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.
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It’s the Penitential Rite, specifically Form A ( " I Confess to Almighty God, and to you my brothers and sisters…") that serves to reconcille each other.

The bishops erred in their document and the Vatican has corrected their understanding.
 
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