Vatican announces desire for more restrained sign of peace at Mass

[ProVobis]

This is exactly what the Vatican is talking about.

Yes, but good luck giving crowds those kinds of instruction.

 

[Della]

Yes, but good luck giving crowds those kinds of instruction.

This is what our bishops and priests need to do, though. My parish used to be one of those “everyone holding hands across aisles/roaming around the nave, waving and calling out to others” parishes that the Vatican is talking about. All it took was a priest with guts, but gentle with it to straighten out the whole mess. People are basically sheep, just as Our Lord compared us to. If they have shepherds who will administer the crook as well as lead in kindness, parishes can be brought into line.

 

[ProVobis]

Except that families are where peace needs to begin, like charity. It’s good for brothers and sisters, who often have sibling rivalies going, to at least shake hands. And the bond between husband and wife is stronger than between strangers. I have no problem with families giving each other the SOP first, as long as they don’t reserve it solely to themselves.

That’s why I’ve found it better to extend peace to those who appear to be alone first. I don’t see charity where they are excluded or treated as second-class citizens. But that said, where true rivalries and tensions and hostilities and even minor irritations are concerned (let’s face it, there can be some obnoxious people in the pews), there does need to be some attempt at peace.

 

[ProVobis]

LOL thanks fro posting this.
Also interestingly…when I met Mother Angelica about 10 years ago (not at Mass, but still) she gave me a bone crushing handshake.

Now she’d probably give you a fist bump.

 

[ProVobis]

All it took was a priest with guts, but gentle with it to straighten out the whole mess.

I think priests know that some people always take things the wrong way so they avoid these types of things in sermons. I have yet to hear anything about the handshake of peace other than the one I heard once back in 1970. Oh yeah, it had to do with extending peace with those we DIDN’T know.

 

[Della]

I think priests know that some people always take things the wrong way so they avoid these types of things in sermons. I have yet to hear anything about the handshake of peace other than the one I heard once back in 1970. Oh yeah, it had to do with extending peace with those we DIDN’T know.

Sermons/homilies might not be the best time to bring up such things, anyway. It’s more the tone the priest sets in the way he conducts the Mass, I think. The more reverent he is the more reverent his people tend to be, as well–sheep following their shepherd, as it were.

 

[pianistclare]

I think priests know that some people always take things the wrong way so they avoid these types of things in sermons. I have yet to hear anything about the handshake of peace other than the one I heard once back in 1970. Oh yeah, it had to do with extending peace with those we DIDN’T know.

Yes, people DO take things way too personally that are said by the priest, gentle or not.
That’s the insidious thing about practices that border on abuse. Once you permit them (or the previous pastor permits them) and they are in place for a while, people feel

1. like they are being unduly scolded (it was ok with the previous pastor, why the change?)
2. they also feel like they have something “taken away” from them. (as in “our tradition in this parish”)

Both of these sentiments are hard to change. And it’s all about catechesis. I believe, that most people, after having had something explained to them, would be far more receptive to a return to decorum. But people have come to equate the hoopla with welcoming, friendliness, acceptance of others, etc. And it’s not a hill that many priests want to die on. Parishes are literally afraid to offend. It’s sad and very true. People look for any excuse to stay home on Sundays. I asked my dear pastor why he didn’t talk about this, and he shrugged. He’s a great homilist, a spiritual person, very well educated, and someone everyone respects, including his brother priests. His response to me is, if you don’t like it, just don’t run around like everyone. Don’t hold hands during the Our Father. Kneel while others are going up to Communion. But he won’t tell others to knock it off.
I have a choice. Do what I know or believe to be correct, or sit back and make faces and be sour over it all.
I hope they DO move it to another place in the Mass. In the meantime, I’ll have to deal with what my fellow parishioners do. I pray especially for a good attitude, holy understanding, and a willing transition by the laity if it comes to pass.

 

[WingsOfEagles]

My sentiment as well. Actually, I think all of the “we should just eliminate it” goes against acting as Christ would have.

I have to ask, does God really care how us mere tiny humans exchange peace at Mass? It all sounds kind of legalistic and unimportant to me.

 

[Burdock]

I think the sign of peace is lmportant, you only need to do it with those in your pew, and behind you, I dont think people should go leaping around the church though

 

[mkoopman]

I think the sign of peace is lmportant, you only need to do it with those in your pew, and behind you, I dont think people should go leaping around the church though

I think people should leap around the church, although perhaps not during the sign of peace. I think those in ecstasy before the Eucharist should leap around the church in unfathomable joy and through the graces of the Holy Spirit.

Actually, I think that alot. Perhaps I need to speak with a Catholic therapist about this?

 

[ringil]

I like the way the Maronites do it.

 

[Memaw]

I think people should leap around the church, although perhaps not during the sign of peace. I think those in ecstasy before the Eucharist should leap around the church in unfathomable joy and through the graces of the Holy Spirit.

Actually, I think that alot. Perhaps I need to speak with a Catholic therapist about this?

I would say so ~!! Please, no loud suggestions !!! God Bless Memaw

 

[ProVobis]

I like the way the Maronites do it.

It’s probably the best organized, as it follows a simple concept, originating from the altar and passed on from person to person within each pew. And it is not a handshake but a cupping of the hands from the originator to the recipient. It’s a very distinguished exchange of peace among the congregation.

 

[pianistclare]

It’s probably the best organized, as it follows a simple concept, originating from the altar and passed on from person to person within each pew. And it is not a handshake but a cupping of the hands from the originator to the recipient. It’s a very distinguished exchange of peace among the congregation.

Sounds lovely. I could go for that, no matter where it’s placed. Would take a long time though…especially in huge parishes. We have really really wide pews…and as Catholics tend to do, people spread WAY out. But it does sound nice.

 

[Sy_Noe]

This saddens me to hear of this change. People at a Catholic parish I sometimes have attended have moved about to offer others the sign of peace. And I find it most welcoming. The first time I attended a Mass there I still recall a gentleman coming from behind me out in the aisle to offer me the sign of peace. It left a lasting and positive impression upon me. It’s the only Catholic church I’ve attended since. So I’m sorry to see this ending. Everyone has always been respectfully settled back in their seats for the Eucharist.

 

[Della]

This saddens me to hear of this change. People at a Catholic parish I sometimes have attended have moved about to offer others the sign of peace. And I find it most welcoming. The first time I attended a Mass there I still recall a gentleman coming from behind me out in the aisle to offer me the sign of peace. It left a lasting and positive impression upon me. It’s the only Catholic church I’ve attended since. So I’m sorry to see this ending. Everyone has always been respectfully settled back in their seats for the Eucharist.

Welcome to the Church.

I don’t think the Vatican wishes to end this kind of reaching out to others. But, it should be done peacefully and with reverence with people doing as your parish does–returning to their places for the Lamb of God and properly composing themselves the reception of the Eucharist.