Sign of peace

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What is the meaning of the sign of peace? I had thought it was a sign of unity, but also of reconciliation to one another, acknowledging our sins. This is why it seems odd to me when I see people hug. I had thought it was more of a humility thing.

So is it okay to hug during the sign of peace? And what is the actual meaning of the sign of peace?
 
*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.* usccb.org/liturgy/current/chapter2.shtml#sect3c
 
As I recall the actual designation was “Kiss of Peace”. This got toned down for non-Italians.

In the Extraordinary Form you will find a rubric right after the Agnus Dei - At Solemn Mass, the Celebrant kisses the Altar, and giving the Pax (Kiss of Peace) to the Deacon, says: Peace be with you. To which the Deacon answers: And with thy spirit.

I remember the first mass I attended after the change was at the base chapel. At the Kiss of Peace the celebrant walked down and planted a French Legion of Honor type kiss on the cheek of a rather astonished bird colonel. That loosened the congregation up a bit. 😃
 
It is a sign of communion and charity, but NOT one of reconcilliation.

The act of reconcilling takes place during the Pentitential Rite; ( I confess to Almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters…) Since we are already reconcilled, we have no need to do it again 🙂

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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Joe_Kelley said:
As I recall the actual designation was “Kiss of Peace”. This got toned down for non-Italians.
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The Kiss of Peace is the same in the ordindary Form as well. The priest says “Peace be with you” and the people respond “And also with you”

That part, (the Kiss of Peace), is mandatory.

The SIGN of Peace ( the offering of the peace just recieved from the priest to others) is seperate and optional.
 
Brendan said:
It is a sign of communion and charity, but NOT one of reconcilliation.

The act of reconcilling takes place during the Pentitential Rite; ( I confess to Almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters…) Since we are already reconcilled, we have no need to do it again 🙂

Redemptionis Sacramentum
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Okay, I’m not sure where I got that idea from, then. Anyway, I can’t stand it when people go across the chapel to hug their friends (I am in college, and I am referring to our chapel)

Also, no one answered this question: I have noticed people hugging their friends instead of a handshake. Is this allowed?
 
wifeandmomoftwo said:
*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*. usccb.org/liturgy/current/chapter2.shtml#sect3c
Click to expand...
hamburglar said:
Also, no one answered this question: I have noticed people hugging their friends instead of a handshake. Is this allowed?
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Actually it was answered…
 
wifeandmomoftwo said:
Yes, here it is again.
It is, however, appropriate that each person offer the sign of peace only to those who are nearest and in a sober manner.
Give the sign of the peace to those nearest you and in a sober manner
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Oh, I didn’t see the SOBER part. Now what classifies as a sober manner?
 
hamburglar said:
Okay, I’m not sure where I got that idea from, then. Anyway, I can’t stand it when people go across the chapel to hug their friends (I am in college, and I am referring to our chapel)

Also, no one answered this question: I have noticed people hugging their friends instead of a handshake. Is this allowed?
Click to expand...
Yes, as long as it is restricted to those nearby and sober. People should not be roaming around the chapel. What is sober? That’s highly subjective and probably varies community to community. Whooping and holloring are out, beyond that its hard to say.
 
wifeandmomoftwo said:
Yes, here it is again.
It is, however, appropriate that each person offer the sign of peace only to those who are nearest and in a sober manner.
Give the sign of the peace to those nearest you and in a sober manner
Click to expand...
“Nearest” so often seems to mean - within the same county - Alas

and “sober” often seems to mean “not actually slobbering”

I say let’s consign the Sign of Peace (the congregational part) to Optional heaven and not see it again!!

What say you?
 
johnnykins said:
“Nearest” so often seems to mean - within the same county - Alas

and “sober” often seems to mean “not actually slobbering”
Click to expand...
So hugging is okay, then?
johnnykins said:
I say let’s consign the Sign of Peace (the congregational part) to Optional heaven and not see it again!!

What say you?
Click to expand...
I think maybe it could go. I think it is optional, but I’ve never seen it not done.

I know many people that feel the Our Father and the sign of peace are the high points of the Mass, when in fact it is the Holy Sacrifice that takes place on the Eucharistic Altar. I don’t like it when people hold hands during the Our Father, not only because it is not in the Rubrics, but because this adds to people’s confusion with what is the high point of the Mass. I know as a young child, I viewed the sign of peace and the Our Father as the high points of the Mass.

I’ve been to the Extraordinary rite, the Tridentine Latin Mass, and also a Ukrainian Divine Liturgy, and neither of those had the faithful partake in this expression.
 
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