Through the past few years, this forumite has attended Mass at several different parishes in several different dioceses. I have noted a new novelty added in several instances. Moments before Mass begins, the celebrant either “invites” or commands everyone to rise and greet one another either as an expression of hospitality or fellowship. This is not in place of the Sign of Peace, but in addition to it. [edited]
I’ve noticed that this ‘tradition’ is suspended when a visiting priest or the bishop celebrates the Mass. So I am suspect that this is a liturgical abuse.
[edited]
Does this happen at your parish? How do you deal with it?
First of all, I don’t think it can be a liturgical abuse when it happens outside of the liturgy. It probably doesn’t happen with a visiting priest or the bishop because it is a local custom and they do not follow it.
Personally, I’m uncomfortable in such “forced” situations. It feels stiff and awkward and really doesn’t do much (for me) to build a sense of community, which is its purpose. It feels like everyone is just trying too hard. Same thing for greeters at the door. I also think the approach is shallow and artificial and unlikely to actually achieve its desired results. I also tend to think it is inappropriate for it to take place in the church, particularly just prior to Mass, as it just leads to noise and chaos and can destroy any sense of prayer and recollection.
But… Catholic parishes very often lack community. I have a friend who is right now in the process of returning to the Catholic Church. She left several years ago, in a period of great personal crisis, for the LDS Church. She has always known that they are wrong theologically, but they offered her a community and support in a time in which it was desperately needed. She reached out in her own Church, over and over, and found nothing. The Mormons were there for her, in the way that we are commanded to be there for one another. They bore her burdens with her and it is shameful that she could not find that support within the Catholic Church. Now she has been attending daily Mass for several weeks, but has not yet left the LDS faith formally. In those several weeks, she has never once been acknowledged by anybody. Not a kind word, not a smile, not a nod. She is hurt and confused and longing for Confession and the Eucharist, but she also wants to be in a place where she feels welcomed and loved.
She, and others like her, are why parishes like yours try so hard. I know that the “stand up and greet the person next to you approach” is horrible for introverts like me. I am very uncomfortable with the approach, and I will go out of my way to avoid parishes like that. I’ve been known to deliberately arrive late, and I’m almost never late. But, at least they are trying something. They are addressing a problem known to exist in Catholic parishes. We need each other. We need communities and support. As we live in a world that is more and more secular, it has become even more important to establish havens of support for one another within our parishes. In some cases, our faith depends on it.
My parish does happen to have a sense of community because we are very small. I’m pretty sure we overwhelm visitors sometimes, those who just want to slip in and go to Mass, and slip out without talking to anybody. If you should find yourself in our narthex, be prepared to be immediately noticed as a visitor. At least 2 or 3 people, probably more, will make sure to introduce themselves if you make the mistake of arriving a few minutes early. One of them will surely offer to be your guide throughout the liturgy, if you should need one. If not, we’ll be sure to explain our service books to you, should you want to follow along. If, during the liturgy, you should appear lost, the nearest person will probably intrude upon your prayer to help you find the right place in our rather complicated books. At the start of communion, somebody will probably steal a glance at you to see if you seem confused about how to receive, and help you out if necessary. Then, during the announcements, our priest will almost certainly welcome our visitors, making a special point to make eye contact with you, and invite all visitors downstairs to join us for lunch. After the liturgy, again in the narthex, you can expect to be approached by one or more parishioners, asking you if you’re coming down for lunch. I know that’s too much for some. It probably would be for me, if I hadn’t been known to the parish since childhood, but the truth is that we are excited to see visitors. We want to make them comfortable and share our traditions and answer questions.
