The Sign of Peace. Share it with only people immediatly around you?

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Angel7

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I’ve heard that The sign of Peace, during mass, should only be offered to people in your immediate area. Well… what is immediate area? Arms length? can it include people across the aisle? If you do offer a sign of peace to someone not in your immediate area have you done something innapropriate or wrong?

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May The Lord Our God Bless You All! 😃
 
It certainly shouldn’t be disruptive; there’s no need to go wandering about. But a smile or a nod to someone several aisles over isn’t going to bother anyone.
 
I normally share the sign of peace with a few people nearby me. I don’t go far from my seat or pew.
 
Angel7 said:
I’ve heard that The sign of Peace, during mass, should only be offered to people in your immediate area. Well… what is immediate area? Arms length? can it include people across the aisle? If you do offer a sign of peace to someone not in your immediate area have you done something innapropriate or wrong?
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It is my understanding that one shouldn’t leave their pew to offer the sign of peace, but merely exchange it with people in arms length. I have however been known to lean over to get to somebody if they want to shake my hand.

I do know for sure that priests can’t leave the sanctuary to give the sign of peace except in extraordinary circumstances such as a funeral or some other special occasion.
 
There is no measurement rule. The instruction is that the shared sign of peace not be too long or disruptive. I have been in very small chapels where you could reasonably greet every other person and not be disruptive. But with the architecture of most modern Churches, it is just common sence that you can’t reach too far from your seat without being disruptive.

I can’t see any reason why you would leave your pew under normal circumstance. If the nearest person to you is accross the aisle, it would probably be better to exchange a smile or nod. The sign of peace doesn’t have to be a handshake or kiss.
 
I would encourage the advice I saw given by H.E. Francis Card. Arinze, Prefect emeritus of the Congregation of Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. If it means moving from your spot, don’t. Only exchange the sign of peace with those on either side of you.
 
In my parish it is with the people around us. No one moves out of their seats although I did see a few people sitting way up front get out of their seats. If someone isn’t in arms length then we just smile and nod. But some people just stand there and will not give the sign of peace.
 
4 people
those one either side of you, directly in front and behind you
no physical contact is required
your words and facial expression can say it all
here Father starts the agnus dei quickly to prevent the love fest that goes on for 15 minutes in some parishes. It is notable that people will ignore those around them who are strangers, in order to walk down the aisle to greet family members as if they had not seen them in 20 years.
 
Puzzleannie, I have a question, and I’m not trying to start anything negative, but I do feel compelled to ask…

Since the commencement of the Fraction is when the Agnus Dei begins, and only the ordained can retrieve the Sacrament reserved in the Tabernacle, how is it that your priest can commence the Agnus Dei so quickly, whilst going to the Tabernacle before he starts the Fraction?
 
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