What is wrong with applauding in Church?

[Scottgun]

Maybe someone else mentioned it, but applause is much like the holding of hands during the Our Father, it imposes on your neighbor who feels pressured to go with the crowd. Not surprising in this age where the progressive golden rule is at its core, Disturb Thy Neighbor.

Scott

 

[tmw]

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. As an organist for many years, I have had the misfortune of serving under certain well-meaning priests who wanted the people to thank me at the end of Mass for my music. The congregation would turn around to face the choir loft and applaud. Not only was this personally embarrassing, but it completely misses the point of what liturgical music is for. I am not there to put on a concert or to entertain. I simply assist the people in prayer, and having the organ out of sight upstairs is something I strongly recommend. Unfortunately, with most modern church buildings placing the musicians physically close the altar, the tendency toward showmanship (always a temptation for our big musician’s egos) is greatly magnified. This seems particularly true of “folk” groups, who often indulge in extraordinary commentary or guitar riffs at inopportune times, not to mention the distraction of having to watch people shuffling papers and sipping from water bottles. Even some organists like to have their down-front consoles turned so that the congregation can watch their hands and feet, or be mesmerized by the light show given by the brightly-backlit stops many organs have. Applause is not inherently sinful, but should be used very sparingly at Mass, and NEVER to congratulate liturgical ministers for something they do every week. It’s time for a re-evaluation of the use of choir lofts and altars placed AD ORIENTEM!

Well said. As one who prefers the old music and chants, I’m especially pleased to hear this from an organist. Far too many place their self importance and egos above their purpose.

 

[MusicMan]

At my church, it’s become customary to applaud for the musicians at the end of Mass. I’ve tried creative ways of preventing it from happening (We don’t have an organ, so a postlude isn’t gonna happen), such as singing an extra verse after the procession exits the nave or playing a coda at the end of the recessional. There are always a bunch of people who stay just to clap.

I had no musical obligations this weekend, so I went to the Saturday vigil. I walk into church 10 minutes before Mass and I see Father “fiddling” with disks and the digital keyboard. Turns out the person on to play gave him an “if … then I can’t play Saturday night” scenario and didn’t show. I volunteer to cover, pick out some easy hymns that fit the readings, and go to work. They still clapped for me at the end. I just make a small production out of cleaning up the books and ignore them. So embarassing.

 

[KatieD]

We also have several folks who stay until the end to applaud the choir. I don’t know if it’s really appropriate, but the choir does a wonderful job, and it seems a nice way to show our appreciation for the sharing of their talents. Also, we recently had a “state of the parish” talk from our new pastor, who took over under extremely difficult circumstances (our previous pastor left suddenly with minimal explanation). Our new pastor is doing an absolutely terrific job, and when he finished his update, the congregation applauded. Our Masses are very reverent, but I think many were just so moved that this humble, holy man has willingly taken on such a difficult task and wanted him to know how appreciative of him they are.

 

[nas_matko]

I don’t know if it’s really appropriate, but the choir does a wonderful job, and it seems a nice way to show our appreciation for the sharing of their talents.

What do you think, are they doing it for you to appreciate, or for God? Is it performace or prayer?

 

[Stu]

Wait a minute… is this the same guy I saw presiding over the stadium Mass at WYD 2005 in Germany where there were beach balls being bounced around and rock concert like atmosphere???

You are expecting him to stop Mass and run into the crowd and chase them all down?

On the subject at hand, I detest the clapping at Mass. If it happens at your parish I suggest bringing it up politely with your priest and when able set the proper example. Another probably surefire way is to just attend and indult Mass. Such silliness is highly unlikely in that setting.

 

[Emly]

Well, what if its after a homaly, and your saying goodbye to a much lvoed Priest?

 

[MusicMan]

On the subject at hand, I detest the clapping at Mass. If it happens at your parish I suggest bringing it up politely with your priest and when able set the proper example. Another probably surefire way is to just attend and indult Mass. Such silliness is highly unlikely in that setting.

My priest isn’t going to allocate time during his homily to chastise the congregation not to applaud for the musicians at the end of Mass. He doesn’t lead the clapping himself, as he’s already in the Gathering Space “meeting and greeting” the faithful who are on their way out the door. In addition to running the risk of offending the musicians (which are in short supply in our parish), such an announcement is hiddeously tacky and gosh. I know my priest isn’t going to behave in such a tacky fashion, so I’m not even going to ask.

I would hope we could recommend a better, more classy way of handling the catechesis on this matter, rather than, “Don’t do that any more.”

What makes it worse, and I can only speak for my group, is that we’re doing what we’re doing for the glory of God. We not “performing” for the Congregation. We’re doing our absolute best to aid the peoples’ worship.

I don’t like the clapping, but I don’t have a solution to it. Maybe I should completely screw up the recessional on a regular basis to dissuade them from applauding. No, that’s not right either. Then it means I’m not performing my task properly. I can tolerate the applause because I am there and doing my best for the right reason.

 

[Victorious]

My priest isn’t going to allocate time during his homily to chastise the congregation not to applaud for the musicians at the end of Mass.

That would just be a bandaid anyways. The real problem is that we’ve lost our understanding of what Mass is. We need a mass Mass catechesis revival.

 

[MusicMan]

That would solve so many problems.

 

[Stu]

My priest isn’t going to allocate time during his homily to chastise the congregation not to applaud for the musicians at the end of Mass. He doesn’t lead the clapping himself, as he’s already in the Gathering Space “meeting and greeting” the faithful who are on their way out the door. In addition to running the risk of offending the musicians (which are in short supply in our parish), such an announcement is hiddeously tacky and gosh. I know my priest isn’t going to behave in such a tacky fashion, so I’m not even going to ask.

I would hope we could recommend a better, **more classy way of handling the catechesis on this matter, rather than, “Don’t do that any more.” **

Gentle correction and explanation can go very far. I saw my Priest during a homily remind folks to bow during the Creed and it worked. It tooks some time, but with his example we went from a parish where only a few bowed to everyone bowed. Besides, its his job to correct and teach us. Anything less would in my mind be “tacky” or dare I say derelict in duty.

The truth offered in a charitable manner always works.

 

[MusicMan]

I absoultely agree that the priest’s job is to make corrections. I am, perhaps, misreading a negativity on the Forum, though, that seems to suggest that the best way to solve some of these problems is to have the Nuns of yore rap us on the knuckles with their yardsticks while the priest exhorts us from the Ambo to “Stop doing !!!”

 

[Stu]

I absoultely agree that the priest’s job is to make corrections. I am, perhaps, misreading a negativity on the Forum, though, that seems to suggest that the best way to solve some of these problems is to have the Nuns of yore rap us on the knuckles with their yardsticks while the priest exhorts us from the Ambo to “Stop doing !!!”

I will admit that I am “negative” on the clapping but I do realize that many do these things with both the best of intentions and often out of ignorance. I think many of these types of problems should be approached with that in mind and really speaks to the need for better catechesis that Victorious spoke about.

 

[CRW]

My priest isn’t going to allocate time during his homily to chastise the congregation not to applaud for the musicians at the end of Mass. He doesn’t lead the clapping himself, as he’s already in the Gathering Space “meeting and greeting” the faithful who are on their way out the door. In addition to running the risk of offending the musicians (which are in short supply in our parish), such an announcement is hiddeously tacky and gosh. I know my priest isn’t going to behave in such a tacky fashion, so I’m not even going to ask.

I would hope we could recommend a better, more classy way of handling the catechesis on this matter, rather than, “Don’t do that any more.”

What makes it worse, and I can only speak for my group, is that we’re doing what we’re doing for the glory of God. We not “performing” for the Congregation. We’re doing our absolute best to aid the peoples’ worship.

I don’t like the clapping, but I don’t have a solution to it. Maybe I should completely screw up the recessional on a regular basis to dissuade them from applauding. No, that’s not right either. Then it means I’m not performing my task properly. I can tolerate the applause because I am there and doing my best for the right reason.

I would recommend, a few minutes before the start of the Mass that the Music Director make a short announcement that although it is appreciated, the choir with humble affection, request that all resit from applauding the choir out of respect for the Holy Father’s request for Silence in the Church for those wishing to offer Thanksgiving after receiving their Lord. This is also required in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal # 45. This could also be added to your Church bulletin. God Bless

 

[LeahInancsi]

Shame on us. Today at Masst, a churchfull of people and I appauded the baptism of a baby when the priest presented the newest Catholic.

Oppps! We also applauded the priest for priest appreciation day.

 

[MusicMan]

I would recommend, a few minutes before the start of the Mass that the Music Director make a short announcement that although it is appreciated, the choir with humble affection, request that all resit from applauding the choir out of respect for the Holy Father’s request for Silence in the Church for those wishing to offer Thanksgiving after receiving their Lord. This is also required in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal # 45. This could also be added to your Church bulletin. God Bless

A Music Director, eh? We don’t have one of those. Given my secular place in the community, I am not going to be the one to make this request either.

 

[Vox_Borealis]

Shame on us. Today at Masst, a churchfull of people and I appauded the baptism of a baby when the priest presented the newest Catholic.

Oppps! We also applauded the priest for priest appreciation day.

Wait a minute–why was the priest ‘presenting’ a newly baptized infant at mass? And when exactly did this occur during the mass?

You eye-roll emoticon implies that it is ridiculous to think that such applause is wrong. But guess what, I don’t want to applaud our newest catholic or anyone else during mass. For one hour a week, can’t we just maintain the solemn decorum of the mass?

I’m as joyfull as the next person that a child has been baptized. Maybe an announcement can be made BEFORE mass starts. Maybe the congregation can be invited to coffee after mass to greet the baby and his or her family. But can’t the mass just be the mass for a change?

 

[LeahInancsi]

Wait a minute–why was the priest ‘presenting’ a newly baptized infant at mass? And when exactly did this occur during the mass?

You eye-roll emoticon implies that it is ridiculous to think that such applause is wrong. But guess what, I don’t want to applaud our newest catholic or anyone else during mass. For one hour a week, can’t we just maintain the solemn decorum of the mass?

I’m as joyfull as the next person that a child has been baptized. Maybe an announcement can be made BEFORE mass starts. Maybe the congregation can be invited to coffee after mass to greet the baby and his or her family. But can’t the mass just be the mass for a change?

Occassionally we have a baptism during Mass. It was no different than when I was baptized at Easter Vigil. This is the second time I’ve seen a baby baptized during Sunday Mass in the last year. The first time, the father arrived that morning from Iraq for his two week leave and his was the only baby that needed to be baptized, so they did it during Mass. I don’t know the reason for today. Usually, they do about three babies at a time on Sunday afternoon.

I understand why you don’t like it, but I don’t mind. The things we clap for are happy and heart-warming. I definitely feel the real Presence during those times as much as any other time during the Mass.

Lighten up.

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

In the AAA section, a question was asked about the “kiss” during a wedding ceremony, and why there is none in some weddings. In Michelle Arnolds answer, she wrote this:

Can someone tell me what is wrong with applause in church?

This is a simple human expression of joy, and it is not disrespectful in any way to God (IMO). Am I missing something here?

The heart & summit of the Sacraments is the Eucharist, in which the Sacrifice of the Cross is re-presented; would you applaud at Calvary ?​

Applause during the Liturgy is completely out of place; it directs attention away from God, to the individual or to the congregation: applause becomes praise of men or of the congregation, it becomes self-centred, and not God-centred.

There is a time & a place for us to behave in a demonstative way - the Liturgy is not it ##

 

[Michael_Welter]

Applause during the Liturgy is completely out of place; it directs attention away from God, to the individual or to the congregation: applause becomes praise of men or of the congregation, it becomes self-centred, and not God-centred.

What about applause for God? Isn’t Mass a celebration?