What is wrong with applauding in Church?

[Victorious]

bluehen, I am with you on this. Perhaps the Pope’s quote is taken out of context?

No, it isn’t. Read the whole thing.

 

[blessedtoo]

Wasn’t Cardinal Ratzinger’s homily interrupted many times during the funeral Mass for Pope John Paul II. I went back and read accounts of Pope Benedict’s inaugural Mass in which news reports stated that he was interrupted 33 times with applause in his homily. ** Beyond that, the reports indicated that he seemed to “feed” on the applause and showed a charasmatic side of himself that surprised some observers. Seems like odd behavior for a man who is so against applause at Mass!:**)

I don’t know about any reports, but I have the DVD and I can tell you B16 does NOT look happy while the folks are applauding. He looks uncomfortable and surprised.

 

[blessedtoo]

I have read this before as well. However, I also heard on EWTN that, in Europe, applause is used to show respect, not joy. So, the people may have been showing their respect for Pope John Paul II…not approval for anything Pope Benedict did.

That is what I remember from the coverage of the funeral. I specifically remember Raymond Arroyo explaining that while in the US, applause is frowned upon during Mass, in Europe it is meant as a sign of respect and reverance.

 

[8640]

I have a vague memory of the good sisters teaching us that we should applaud the work of the Holy Spirit at Confirmations and Ordinations. Does anyone else remember anything like this?

Betsy

I believe after a man has been ordained, the rite calls for some sign of asent from the faith recognizing the work of the Holy Spirit. Applause has been recognized as the proper response.

 

[Marysann]

Many years ago I sang in a choral society attached to an Episcopal cathedral. This choir did not sing for services, but only for concerts. One Christmas we performed Handel’s Messiah in the cathedral at an evening concert that was not part of any service. No applause was allowed because, we were told, it was God’s house. The audience applauded after the choir went into the lobby. The Episcopalians did not have the real presence, but they were still reverent. I have also been told that since the church is God’s house only He can applaud! I have never heard Him do so, and it makes me uncomfortable when others applaud.

 

[CRW]

Applause is an expression of joy which is appropriate on special occasions to honor people.
When we come to mass we come for God to worship Him. We should be very strict on this as it is very common for people to look for wiggle room in order to change worship of God to their own personal tastes.

I see no problem on rare occasions of applauding for stuff like a funeral, weddings or baptism. Yet this should be rarely done as we do come for Mass to worship God and too often people look for ways to make it an entertainment event.

God Bless
Scylla

GIRM #166 The concluding Rites: When the Prayer after Communion is concluded, brief announcements to the people may be made, if they are needed.

This is the time, after he celebration of the Lord, proper thanksgiving afterwords, etc., that the priest or celebrant usually makes announcements in recognition of special services of parish members, special church events, etc. Applause is (IMHO) acceptable in moderation. I always reflect on the fact the red sanctuary light is on, signifying the true presence of our Lord reserved in the Tabernacle.

Also significant: GIRM 45: Even before the celebration itself, it is commendable that silence to be observed in the church, in the sacristy, in the vesting room, and in adjacent areas, so that all may dispose themselves to carry out the sacred action in a devout an fitting manner.

This also holds true after the end of the Mas. Many of the faithful are prevented from offering their prayers and Thanksgiving , after receiving the Lord, because the noise level approaches that of a movie just letting out. Our Lord and the respect due him is always present in our Church. People should depart and carry out the warm wishes, hellos, and etc - outside.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

The Pope has this to say about it:

I knew there was something I didn’t like about this Pope when he was elected.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

I have read this before as well. However, I also heard on EWTN that, in Europe, applause is used to show respect, not joy. So, the people may have been showing their respect for Pope John Paul II…not approval for anything Pope Benedict did.

God forbid we should express joy at Mass.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

The only time applause is acceptable is during an ordination or a wedding Mass, when the people are congratulating those involved who have achieved a significant milestone in their life. ORIENTEM!

Hmmm, when members of our folk group retired or moved away, the congregation gave them an applause of thanks for the service they provided. I guess we’re all going to burn in hell for all eternity for this offense.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

I don’t know about any reports, but I have the DVD and I can tell you B16 does NOT look happy while the folks are applauding. He looks uncomfortable and surprised.

Too bad if he wasn’t happy about it. He’ll just have to learn to live with the fact that the Catholic Church isn’t the Pope’s, it’s the people, who make up the body of Christ.

 

[fix]

Too bad if he wasn’t happy about it. He’ll just have to learn to live with the fact that the Catholic Church isn’t the Pope’s, it’s the people, who make up the body of Christ.

So, any number of people who decide something is correct makes it correct?

 

[JimR-OCDS]

So, any number of people who decide something is correct makes it correct?

Don’t stretch what I said out of context.

My comment was about the people applauding at Pope John Paul II’s funeral, and some one commenting that then Cardinal Ratzinger didn’t look like he liked it.

If he didn’t like it, too bad. People were expressing their love for John Paul II, you can’t stop that and shouldn’t attempt to.

It is my understanding that before the elevation of Karol Wojtyla, to the Papacy, Ratzinger didn’t get along with him. Ratzinger was actually more liberal back then and really didn’t change to his more conservative positions, until after John Paul II asked him to take over the Congergation for the Doctrine of Faith.

Jim

 

[fix]

Don’t stretch what I said out of context.

I did not.

My comment was about the people applauding at Pope John Paul II’s funeral, and some one commenting that then Cardinal Ratzinger didn’t look like he liked it.

Yep, I got that ok.

If he didn’t like it, too bad. People were expressing their love for John Paul II, you can’t stop that and shouldn’t attempt to.

I have no idea whether he liked it or not. Let’s say he did not. Do you think it is wise to proclaim it is “too bad” if the pope did not like it? My point is, assumimg the premise is correct he did not like it, why is it good to dismiss out of hand the Pope’s opinion in this matter? Do large numbers of clapping folks make clapping ok?

It is my understanding that before the elevation of Karol Wojtyla, to the Papacy, Ratzinger didn’t get along with him. Ratzinger was actually more liberal back then and really didn’t change to his more conservative positions, until after John Paul II asked him to take over the Congergation for the Doctrine of Faith.

Jim

I think it is much more nuanced than that.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

I have no idea whether he liked it or not. Let’s say he did not. Do you think it is wise to proclaim it is “too bad” if the pope did not like it? My point is, assumimg the premise is correct he did not like it, why is it good to dismiss out of hand the Pope’s opinion in this matter?

Too bad means, there isn’t much he could’ve done about it.

Do large numbers of clapping folks make clapping ok?

Depends, but in this case it wasn’t wrong.

I also don’t actually think the Ratzinger disapproved, nor does he disapprove of applauding at Mass per se.

Jim

 

[davy39]

That is what I remember from the coverage of the funeral. I specifically remember Raymond Arroyo explaining that while in the US, applause is frowned upon during Mass, in Europe it is meant as a sign of respect and reverance.

I have seen some papal Masses on ewtn, and there is applause, usuall before the final blessing. I agree with Raymond. It has a different meaning there than it does in this country.

 

[AquinaSavio]

I knew there was something I didn’t like about this Pope when he was elected.

Do orthodox Popes bother you?

God forbid we should express joy at Mass.

Not at all…but applause distracts us from the true meaning of the Mass.

Hmmm, when members of our folk group retired or moved away, the congregation gave them an applause of thanks for the service they provided. I guess we’re all going to burn in hell for all eternity for this offense.

Sarcasm is not needed. Nobody’s forcing you to post on this thread. If you don’t want to have a civil conversation, just say so.

Too bad if he wasn’t happy about it. He’ll just have to learn to live with the fact that the Catholic Church isn’t the Pope’s, it’s the people, who make up the body of Christ.

He is Christ’s representative. He represents the Church’s Head! I think he should have something to say about it.

 

[Journeyman]

I have seen some papal Masses on ewtn, and there is applause, usuall before the final blessing. I agree with Raymond. It has a different meaning there than it does in this country.

Can someone explain what the differences are in Europe that make applause (apparently) acceptable there but not acceptable in the U.S.?

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Do orthodox Popes bother you?

No, orthodox Pope’s don’t bother me at all. However, Pope Benedict XVI, hasn’t proven to me that he’s orthodoxed or not. He hasn’t been Pope long enough.

BTW, was John Paul II ortodoxed?

Not at all…but applause distracts us from the true meaning of the Mass.

Not if it’s done at the appropriate time. Our Bishop asked for an applause for our Pastor, before he began his homily at Confirmation Mass. I didn’t take anything away from the Mass, except perhaps from people who get upset over such things.

Sarcasm is not needed. Nobody’s forcing you to post on this thread. If you don’t want to have a civil conversation, just say so.

Who says I’m not being civil? Just trying to provide a different point of view. If this upset’s you, well, too bad

He is Christ’s representative. He represents the Church’s Head! I think he should have something to say about it.

Well he didn’t say anything about it. In fact, he wasn’t Pope at the time of JPII’s funeral.

 

[introibo]

At the ordination of our bishop, during the Hymn of Thanksgiving after Communion when the new bishop walks through the church and blesses his new flock, our bishop emeritus signalled us that we should applaud. And we did. For the entire trip through the church. And the grin on the new bishop’s face looked like it couldn’t have gotten any wider. It was very moving, and very appropriate.

Why should you care? Because if it is even appropriate in one instance, then it can’t be “wrong on so many levels,” as someone observed above.

 

[Ace86]

It seems to me that applause takes the focus off of God and onto everyone else. When there is applause, it’s almost as if instead of worshipping God, we end up worshipping ourselves. Which reminds at my former parish, the choir every Sunday right after Mass would sing “Happy Birthday” to one of their fellow choir members. And then there was of course, applause. They even did it on Easter Sunday. I seriously doubt they were even thinking about God.