The Sign of Peace continues to bring division

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Edward_H

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I’m struck by “how little” the sign of peace has become.

The Sign of Peace is optional and it should be phased out.

If we’re honest, we have to conclude that it’s just not worked out well; it ends up being minimally a distraction, and more likely a source of division during the Mass.

Here are some example points that will likely resonate with most people.

For those with families it becomes nice but largely an “m*n problem” as each of the family members greet every other family members…for large families it becomes nearly impossible…and then the little children far away from other family members can feel left out if the parents are far away or are too hard to reach…then there’s a lot of movement to make sure it all works out.

Then you have the germaphobes who simply raise up the hand.

And then there are the generous germaphobes who initially resist but then give in and shake our hands reluctantly out of embarrassment, a spirit of generosity, or pity. (division creating at least interiorly, if not exteriorly).

Then there are the older people and singlets who have to wait for the families to finish their m*n greeting problem…and they feel left out of the party…

Then there is the “extended time” as the “Agnus Dei” begins and people are too busy finishing up their greetings that they distract from the prayer.

Then there is the movement of the zillions of Extraordinary Ministers and they think they then have to greet everyone they pass on their way to their post…and then greet every other EMHC.

Distraction, division, chaos…no peace is conveyed.

We’d be better to simply pray for peace and unity which we are about to receive in infinite quantities from Our Lord.

He is the peace. He is the unity.
 
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Edward_H said:
Then there is the movement of the zillions of Extraordinary Ministers and they think they then have to greet everyone they pass on their way to their post…and then greet every other EMHC.
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EMHCs should not be leaving their seats until after the priest takes communion.
 
we have a large parish…and on Sundays we have 24 EMHCs.

I wish we’d go to just receiving the host…and this would serve as a reminder to people of about what Holy Communion really is.

for now, in our parish, it’s become more symbol than sign, more entitlement.
 
I thot the “sign of Peace” degenerated to a little
waving of the hand to others when the SARS
epidemic hit Toronto so we now fear the spread
of germs!! But if you REALLY MEAN it, it will
suffice both in the sight of God and people!!
 
Edward_H said:
Then there are the older people and singlets who have to wait for the families to finish their m*n greeting problem…and they feel left out of the party…
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This often happens to me. The Sign of Peace has become a moment of anxiety for me and it’s easy to feel excluded. Families are busy greeting each other and don’t notice anyone else. Most won’t notice/see any others until they’ve greeted everyone else they know. That usually takes up all the time.

I used to look around to greet others but don’t anymore and no longer want to shake hands with strangers during the Sign of Peace. Families taking up all the time greeting each other is an “out” for me. Unless there are other single people near me who I willingly greet and vice versa – usually by nodding and smiling – I put my head down. No one notices and it’s soon over.
 
We usually do a little nod to people in my country. Not that huge of a problem thankfully but it’s a little awkward when nobody’s acknowledging you, lol.
 
The sign of peace brings me out of myself to think of others.
It can go on too long and boisterously sometimes, but it is essential that we acknowledge those around us and pass the peace of Christ.

It’s an essential part of the Eucharist to have peace among the Body of Christ.
 
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People need to be educated about what the sign of peace is and what it is not.

It is NOT a greeting or anything like that.

It’s a rite of reconciliation, whereby the People forgive each other any wrongs, and they bless God and call on him to bless each other with peace.

It should be done in a sober, succint, and devout manner.
 
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I would rather say the Penitential Act ( I confess to Almighty God, and to you my brothers and sisters…) keep the Kyrie/Lord Have Mercy rather than an either or, and omit the Sign of Peace with parishioners. People are greeting front, back, both sides as the Priest or Deacon is headed to or at the Tabernacle. This is a sacred time, and the greetings should have stopped. There is enough chatting before Mass as it is. It would be better to be said before the beginning of Mass, right after Fr says “Good morning everyone”, for those who insist that it be kept. Most people imo have become very mechanical and rushed.
 
For me it’s not the sign of peace that’s the problem. It is hand shaking.
I never liked handshakes. It is inefficient and. unhygienic.
The Chinese way is much more efficient and hygienic.
In Chinese speaking countries, there is no problem with all the issues you mentioned above in your OP.
 
But as I point out…it’s not working…it’s not essential at all. The Eucharist Himself is essential…and the peace and unity we seek isn’t in hand shake, it’s in Him when we receive Him. When we say Yes to Him Who said Yes to us first.
 
ratio1 said:
For me it’s not the sign of peace that’s the problem. It is hand shaking.
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Where I live we don’t hand-shake either. We just use the gesture that is locally appropriate, and it doesn’t involve physical contact. The advantage is that you don’t have to move around, because you don’t have to be within hand-holding range. We exchange signs of peace across 100 feet distance if necessary. Nobody moves or walks around, and also nobody verbally wishes anyone peace. It’s all done in silence. This is much faster, much less of a disturbance to the order of mass, and much easier to opt out of for those who don’t want it. And I agree it’s also more hygienic.
KATRINA_68 said:
It would be better to be said before the beginning of Mass, right after Fr says “Good morning everyone”, for those who insist that it be kept.
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Good point. As it is now, the timing is awkward.
 
Thank-you for correcting my error. The last section of #33 says: “It should be kept in mind that nothing is lost when the sign of peace is marked by a sobriety which preserves the proper spirit of the celebration, as, for example, when it is restricted to one’s immediate neighbors.” So parishioners have become perhaps over zealous?
 
Edward_H said:
No “Deacon”…it’s people’s lack of understanding about what they are about to receive…perfect unity, perfect reconciliation, perfect peace.
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Is there any reason why you disrespectfully wrote Deacon in quotes?

Careful friend. Disrespecting an ordained Servant of God is blasphemy.
 
Just make going to mass optional instead of an obligation and throwing damnantion upon everyone who isn’t catholic and or has reasons why they choose to go to mass or not and let free will be free will and then the chips fall where they may and then no one has to debate anything anymore in regards to the mass. because then you will have those who go for the right reasons versus everyone else who is obligated to go for fear of damnantion and family tradition.

actually nothing matters as people just like to complain to about something, sometimes people need to complain just to make it through the day and not go on a rampage.
 
“The sign of peace continues to bring division .”

It doesn’t in the churches in which I have worshipped , and I’ve never spoken to a Catholic who says that it does .
 
you are speaking with catholics now who find the sign of peace to be a problem.
 
What would be nice would be for the Vatican to issue some guidelines, perhaps forbidding walking around or continuing to grant the sign after the Agnus Dei begins.

Maybe also decree a universal gesture - maybe “peace be with you” and a slight bow could be the universal gesture.

This I think, combined with greater catechesis on what the pax is and is not, I think would solve all of these issues.
 
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