Vatican announces desire for more restrained sign of peace at Mass

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porthos11 said:
Let the kiss of peace be exchanged only between the priest and deacon, or between priests if there is concelebration.

Let the people stay put.

What’s unclear about that?
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why would they kiss? they never kiss in any of the parishs where i live.
 
randomusername said:
why would they kiss? they never kiss in any of the parishs where i live.
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Then why did you not just ask that instead of “ummm wat?”

The Kiss of Peace is a long and ancient tradition in the Roman Rite, and indeed, the Church dating back to apostolic times and is mentioned in an exhortation by St. Paul to “greet one another with a holy kiss.”

In the Roman Rite, the Kiss of Peace is not lips to flesh. It’s executed by one cleric placing his hands on the other’s shoulders, the other placing his hands on the first cleric’s elbows/forearms, then bringing their heads side by side, bending slightly towards each other’s shoulders, once on each side of the face.

An example:
lagrassecanons.com/IMG/jpg/the_kiss_of_peace_with_mgr_fort.jpg
 
DebChris said:
I just returned from the Middle East where most of the members are from the Philippines and India.

The Sign of the Peace during Mass in the very large Parish:
The Priest bows to the congregation.
Congregation members bow to each other, mostly just to the person standing next to him/her with a simple head nod and hands folded.:gopray:
At the end of the Sign of Peace, altar servers walk to the foot of the altar and bow to the congregation.

Namaste.
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I like that way better than the handshake. I notice that Asians will typically bow.

I get really uncomfortable every mass during the sign of peace. I’m pretty shy but I try to remember that even if I don’t like it, it may mean a lot to the person whose hand I’m shaking.
 
Wow, I had no idea! I thought the way I have seen it done was just how it is and has always been done!

In my parish, the priest makes a trip around to exchange hugs, handshakes, and kisses. The entire congregation leaves their seats and greets everyone around them before going on to greet people sitting everywhere else. Even the choir does this. It’s usually 15 minutes if not more. I must admit I feel it’s a bit much.
 
I too would like to see the sign of peace eliminated or seriously cut back to a simple bow to each other. As for “making peace” before receiving communion, wouldn’t that be better done before Mass begins? And what if you aren’t anywhere near the person you need to make peace with or that person isn’t at the same Mass?

Frankly, if people have issues with each other they aren’t going to solve their differences at the sign of peace. The Mass is sacrifice and worship more than a mere communal gathering, after all. Everyone who has serious sins should have gone to confession and resolved such issues first.

We are at Mass primarily to worship God in spirit and in truth, to hear the word of God proclaimed, and to receive the body and blood, soul and divinity of Christ in community with our brethren. Any making peace with each other ought to take place beforehand, IMHO. The sign of peace ought to a sign that we are already united in purpose–to be at Mass with the right disposition with God and others. Or am I wrong about that?
 
We’ve been hearing about this for years…remember this proposal started after the discussion in 2005…
let’s not get ahead of ourselves. :rolleyes:
I would love to see it after the penitential rite. It would eliminate the need for greeting each other BEFORE Mass as so many parishes do, and the further “simple nod or bow” is so much more dignified and really, better serves the purpose, as it is a more humble expression.
In a small parish like mine…we know everyone, we (pretty much :)) love everyone, and it’s not necessary for all the fuss that normally transpires.
But again…this has been going around for years. As someone said, I’m not holding my breath.
 
Peace and All Good!
nagyszakall said:
I imagine some of the English speaking readers do not recall having heard a “song of peace”. I have seen that in many of the latin-American Spanish Masses: after the Our Father comes the rite of peace, then a song, such as “dame la mano” (give me your hand [see full lyrics below :eek:]), and when the people have calmed down or in order to calm them down 'cause otherwise they won’t, the cantor rapidly switches into singing the Lamb of God…

…I guess this would be an example of what the Holy See desires to change.

*No importa de donde tu vengas
Ni tu raza ni cuanto tu tengas
Si en tu corazon tienes a Cristo
Dame la mano y mi hermano seras

Dame la mano, Dame la mano
Dame la mano y mi hermano seras
Dame la mano, Dame la mano
Dame la mano y mi hermano seras*

Translation:
*I don’t care where you come from
Nor about your race or how much you have
If in your heart you have Christ
Give me your hand and you’ll be my brother…
*
Needless to say, the tune isn’t any more suitable for liturgy than the lyrics…
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This brings back memories from my time in Chile, the Parish I attended there had a song very similar to this (I can’t recall the exact words).

I certainly won’t be sad to see these things go

:blessyou:
 
Peace and all Good!
Della said:
I too would like to see the sign of peace eliminated or seriously cut back to a simple bow to each other. As for “making peace” before receiving communion, wouldn’t that be better done before Mass begins? And what if you aren’t anywhere near the person you need to make peace with or that person isn’t at the same Mass?

Frankly, if people have issues with each other they aren’t going to solve their differences at the sign of peace. The Mass is sacrifice and worship more than a mere communal gathering, after all. Everyone who has serious sins should have gone to confession and resolved such issues first.

We are at Mass primarily to worship God in spirit and in truth, to hear the word of God proclaimed, and to receive the body and blood, soul and divinity of Christ in community with our brethren. Any making peace with each other ought to take place beforehand, IMHO. The sign of peace ought to a sign that we are already united in purpose–to be at Mass with the right disposition with God and others. Or am I wrong about that?
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Thank you for this post Della!

I agree, while a handshake can be a good step in the right direction in terms of “making peace”, it certainly won’t make things magically disappear.

We are at Mass to participate, in an unbloody manner, in the Sacrifice of Our Divine Lord Jesus Christ, to receive His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity & partake in the fruits & Graces of the Sacrifice on the Cross.

we should all endeavour to be at peace & united with our brothers & sisters at Holy Mass before attending it. I’m certainly no opposed to reiterating this united purpose in some way before receiving Holy Communion but IMHO, it needs to be done simply & respectfully-respecting both those around us and especially Our Divine Lord, whom we are there to worship and whose Grace we need.

:blessyou:
 
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.
 
Peace and All Good!!
Generic_Name said:
I wonder how this would fly in my sweetheart’s parish. It’s one of those spaceship, in-the-round places, and the ushers start at the back and shake EVERYONE’S hand during the sign of peace, even continuing after the Agnus Dei begins. We usually sit near the front, so that’s typically when the usher gets to us. Every usher does this.

I’ve gotten to where I stand with my hands folded and stay focused on the altar when it begins, and the lady doesn’t try to shake my hand. I don’t do it to be rude, but sometimes I wonder if I’m being uncharitable. It seems like once the mass has continued, we really shouldn’t be trying to shake hands anymore. There are plenty of other times to make everyone feel “included,” like when this parish has everyone stand right before the processional and tells everyone to “introduce yourselves by name.” (Don’t get me started…)
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I agree. I’m all in favour of people getting to know each other and grow in fellowship etc but IMHO, that can best be facilitated by coffee after Mass or at Parish events, which can be specifically geared towards building the sense of unity & Parish Community.

I certainly think that once the Agnus Dei begins, that should be a signal to draw the Sign of Peace to a close & focus on preparing oneself with more devotion to better Receive Holy Communion.

:blessyou:
 
Thorns said:
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.
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One could say that about liturgical worship in general if we believe that God doesn’t really care. But he does care, and not for his sake but for our sake. God established liturgy with the Levitical priesthood. He gave precise instructions as to who was to do what and when, as well as how the tabernacle and later the Temple at Jerusalem was to be built and administered. This was all for us–because God knows we are physical as well as spiritual beings who need a certain sense of order, propriety and discipline. The Church has followed suit knowing that we humans need these–because or fallen nature can become so easily distracted by the sights, sounds, and feelings generated by the world apart from God. So yes, God cares that the Mass be conducted with reverence and not like a circus.

My parish, thanks be, does the sign of peace quite quickly and with as little attention to talking as possible. We simply shake hands with those closest to us and say, “Peace with with you” and go on to the Lamb of God. It feels an organic and natural part of the liturgy. When people wander all over the church and shout and glad-hand each other like they were meeting at the local mall, all sense of reverence goes out the window and everyone has to recompose himself for the next part of the liturgy. If it’s done with restrant and decorum, as it should be, it can enhance our unity. If it’s done like a free-for-all, it takes us out of worship into mere human feelings that may not be entirely appropriate for the celebration of Mass.
 
Best of luck to any priest or bishop that tries to enforce it. It’s like trying to ban the holding of hands during the Our Father. It is what it is. 🤷
Tarpeian_Rock said:
Actually, I love how Peace is exchanged in the Maronite Rite - you can look that up.
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I do too, but I couldn’t help but think of passing a ‘hot potato’ when I first experienced it. 😃
 
In the parishes around where I live, we just shake the hands of the people in front, behind and to the sides of us and if you’re standing at the back you just shake the hands of people standing near you.
 
janeway529 said:
Best of luck to any priest or bishop that tries to enforce it. It’s like trying to ban the holding of hands during the Our Father. It is what it is. 🤷
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But, it was not always as it is now. With the right teaching and instruction from the pulpit, the ‘sign of peace’ could be properly understood and respected.
 
randomusername said:
In the parishes around where I live, we just shake the hands of the people in front, behind and to the sides of us and if you’re standing at the back you just shake the hands of people standing near you.
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That’s how we do it here-except some people just wave as a gesture. Once, a couple was sitting across the aisle and I smelled alchohol, and I told my husband. After church he told me they had hand sanitizer and was pumping it out after they shook hands with people.:eek:
 
mommy_k said:
that’s how we do it here-except some people just wave as a gesture. Once, a couple was sitting across the aisle and i smelled alchohol, and i told my husband. After church he told me they had hand sanitizer and was pumping it out after they shook hands with people.:eek:
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lol! :d
 
Tarpeian_Rock said:
Actually, I love how Peace is exchanged in the Maronite Rite - you can look that up.
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I know what you mean. I couldn’t find anything on youtube showing exactly how it is supposed to be done, though. It should originate from the altar.
 
randomusername said:
In the parishes around where I live, we just shake the hands of the people in front, behind and to the sides of us and if you’re standing at the back you just shake the hands of people standing near you.
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Yes, same here. We just shake hands and say “peace be with you.” Just the people around you. Pardon my ignorance - I have never seen anything more elaborate or excessive. I guess I can’t understand why everybody here on the thread sounds so exasperated by this. Has never bothered me at all; in fact I like it. (I admit I don’t like shaking hands with people who clearly have colds though; hate being sick.) I do wash my hands right after Mass. Actually I worry more about sharing the communion wine. Try not to think about it. (And I do believe it’s the blood of Christ. ;)) But I don’t see Jesus as a fan of pettiness, so I just go through with these things. Wouldn’t feel Christian otherwise. (maybe that’s getting a little too Protestant…(??))
 
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