Vatican announces desire for more restrained sign of peace at Mass

[Generic_Name]

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.

Probably not, but I do reckon He would like us to be in a worshipful state of mind, and not worrying about chatting up the neighbors. Besides, Jesus HIMSELF is present right in front of us when this is happening - don’t you think that’s where our focus ought to be?

 

[Generic_Name]

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.

You’re quite fortunate.

 

[pianistclare]

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…(??))

For myself, (and I think many people) it’s not really about the sign. We get it, we participate. We don’t like excessive displays and running around because it is SO distracting at a point in the Mass where we are approaching reception of the Eucharist…a time when we should be preparing in a profound way. It would be great of they moved it up front to wards the beginning. I, for one, am not opposed to the Sign…but a better placement would be welcome.
I long for the days when we simply rise and begin the Mass in song. Save the visiting with friends for AFTER…in the hall. With donuts. Pancakes. Biscuits and gravy. LOL :extrahappy:

Just kidding…but now that I think about it… maybe I could talk the Knights of Coumbus into biscuits and gravy. HA!
Peace. I really mean it.

 

[Generic_Name]

Biscuits and gravy. LOL :extrahappy:

THIS!!!

 

[Memaw]

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…)

That is an abuse! God Bless, Memaw

 

[pnewton]

It suggested in particular that “familiar and worldly gestures of greeting” should be substituted with “other, more appropriate gestures.””

What is meant by “familiar and worldly” I wonder? Is the intent just to make up some* new* gesture no one uses so it is* totally* non-secular?

If so, I would like to see a splaying of the middle and ring finger into a V.

 

[Generic_Name]

What is meant by “familiar and worldly” I wonder? Is the intent just to make up some* new* gesture no one uses so it is* totally* non-secular?

If so, I would like to see a splaying of the middle and ring finger into a V.

Had I been drinking anything, it would be splattered all over my screen right now!

 

[CarolNoel]

At our parish you would think they just announced Free drinks at the bar. People all over the place and lots of noise. I wonder how many people really care about the meaning and just do it because we are supposed too.

 

[pianistclare]

At our parish you would think they just announced Free drinks at the bar. People all over the place and lots of noise. I wonder how many people really care about the meaning and just do it because we are supposed too.

Maybe they care TOO MUCH about the meaning…like "hey! this is the part of the Mass that I “get” " . Many American Catholics are ill-catechized as to what the rest of the Mass is about. Sad, but true.
And since it’s been allowed so long unchecked, I think if they eliminate it, the people will be angry. Once you permit something to escalate to ‘abuse’ then it’s hard to disallow it without hard feelings.
But I’d LOVE to see it moved, and to be a more subtle gesture.
Just my 2 cents/

 

[Adonia]

No! It took me years to be comfortable with this and now a change? I say no!

 

[pnewton]

Had I been drinking anything, it would be splattered all over my screen right now!

I applaud your understanding of geeky humor.

No! It took me years to be comfortable with this and now a change? I say no!

Well, there really isn’t a change yet. If there is, we have to trust that it is done for the best of reasons and in the interest of all the faithful.

 

[Generic_Name]

I applaud your understanding of geeky humor.

What I REALLY want to know is how many folks actually tried doing it after they read your comment? I mean, I didn’t… but surely someone did!

 

[Memaw]

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.

Amen!
I always say, “Peace of Christ be with you always.” God Bless. Memaw

 

[LongingSoul]

I hope this measure can be adopted with seriousness and understanding of how important it is to be ready to approach Communion with reverence and quiet.

One of the few positives of Swine Flu was when we were all asked to practice restraint regarding hand holding and hugging during the Mass. It was such a relief not be be grabbed at in Mass.

 

[awsiukiewicz]

I personally think it should be done away with altogether…at the children’s Mass on Fridays at my children’s school, the kids reach across isles…people move around the church , it becomes a social event…there’s not really too much I find reverent about the Novus Ordo anyway…but this sign of peace could be done away with…I generlly nod and bow looking at the people around me…although I’m not really a germa phobe…we don’'t really know where someone’s hands were last do we…and…if they bothered to wash them…I’ve seen people sneeze into their hands during Mass…

 

[suko]

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.

I experienced that first-hand for the first time a little while ago when I was discerning at a Camaldolese hermitage. When the priest put his hands on my shoulders, I was like “What the…”. It caught me off guard to say the least.

 

[LongingSoul]

I think that in keeping with a symbolic gesture, it could be limited to nodding or handshaking only with the two on either side of you. When people feel it necessary to wave wildly to someone on the other side of the Church they reduce the moment to a social event.

 

[FollowChrist34]

I generlly nod and bow looking at the people around me…although I’m not really a germa phobe…we don’'t really know where someone’s hands were last do we…and…if they bothered to wash them…I’ve seen people sneeze into their hands during Mass…

Don’t ever go in for caretaking! The sick can get pretty gross and sloppy.

I defend it on the grounds that Christ is in us all; he broke bread with his disciples in a communal meal, which we are replicating in his presence. It is not just about you connecting with Christ.

And I am a germophobe and not ashamed about it. I stated earlier I wash my hands after Mass; I wash them BEFORE Mass too.

 

[Path_Finder]

I was once at a Mass, the woman had her little baby, it was the flue season, she didn’t want to shake hands, I respected that.

 

[FollowChrist34]

I was once at a Mass, the woman had her little baby, it was the flue season, she didn’t want to shake hands, I respected that.

Yes, I totally respect people who don’t want to shake hands. And I have nervously watched people sneeze and sniffle and wipe their nose just hoping they decline the handshake. They usually don’t though - and I don’t. I actually believe I won’t get sick and (knock on wood) I haven’t yet.