Why the clapping?

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GladTidings

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Today I went to Mass at a different parish since I stayed overnight with my Mom in my home town. Anyway, it was a stunningly beautiful Mass, in part for these reasons:
  1. The cantor and organist were great; 2. I had gone to confession for venial sins only; 3. These adorable kids carried the advent candles down the aisle to the wreath; 4. The attractive twenty-something woman in front of me was modestly dressed; 5. The homily was great; 6. Although the morning had been overcast, the moment we were done singing, “Holy, Holy, Holy…”, the clouds cleared for a few seconds and the nave was awash in light filtered by stained glass windows.
Compare that to this: the moment I was about to genuflect, after Mass, about 10 people who were in the front pews not far from me started clapping. I looked to the altar thinking I had missed something, but no.

We have been to this parish before and this has never happened. I’m not saying it ruined Mass for me, nothing could, but it left me wondering what that was about. Have you witnessed this? Why were they clapping, in your opinion, and was it appropriate?
 
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GladTidings said:
Compare that to this: the moment I was about to genuflect, about 10 people who were in the front pews not far from me started clapping. I looked to the altar thinking I had missed something, but no.
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When were you genuflecting exactly? When you entered? At the end of the Mass when you were about to leave? I presume you weren’t genuflecting in the middle of Mass. Not clear from your post.
 
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I’m unclear if this was before or after Mass. I’m kind of assuming this was at the end as you were about to leave. Perhaps, they really enjoyed the closing song? Not particularly appropriate, but innocent in intention.
 
Yeah, if it happened at the very end just as the closing song finished, some people applaud as a gesture of appreciation for the musicians. It’s not usually a big deal at that point because most of the congregation has usually left the church before the song finished playing, and the handful of people who applaud tend to be the music fans who hang around specifically to hear the whole closing hymn.
 
I’ve been to a couple parishes that clap after Mass. I won’t claim to know their motivation. Some probably do it out of appreciation for those who helped with the Mass, particularly musicians. Some probably do it because that’s what they’re used to, both for Mass and after major events. Some might be applauding Jesus.

Personally, I like it, since it gives a sense of appreciating the Mass. That said, a lack of it won’t turn me off.
 
That happens in several parishes I’ve attended. Usually, it’s a gesture of appreciation for the musicians. At that point, since Mass is over, I don’t see a problem with it.
 
After Mass. I just changed the OP. Originally, the title had said, “Clapping after Mass?”, but I could not create a new topic because there is already a thread with that same title. @Tis Bearself, @WingsOfEagles,
 
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I don’t clap, but if others feel the need, I don’t stress about it.
 
During the holidays, there are often out-of-town visitors to parishes for Mass. It is possible that these were not Catholics, but came to worship with their families and were in awe of the beauty of the entire liturgy and clapped to show how deeply touched they were. Just rejoice that they were expressing their appreciation. Perhaps the Holy Spirit planted a seed of conversion.
 
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It could be a cultural things as well. I went to an English mass at a Parish that is predominantly for the Filipino community.

They clapped at the end of the gospel reading and after the announcements at the end of mass (even though it didn’t warrant an applause.)
 
Interesting - I have never heard of clapping - after a homily…
but when the final song is finished - yes -
I clap along also - in appreciation -
It’s usually only for about 20 seconds -
Usually by visitors / memorial mass goers
I sometimes forget how powerful a mass can be - and fun !
So I’m all for it - if others are doing it.
I think in the Old Testament - they had a ‘clap offering’ - not sure.
But once mass is officially over…
Believers start leaving as the hymn begins playing -
To me - that’s a worse sign - than clapping.
 
This was the first thing I thought of, too - cultural.

In some countries, they clap at the elevations during the Eucharistic Prayer where we normally expect bells.
 
We very rarely have clapping in our parish. In my opinion those who serve at Mass should not be applauded. For me this sends the message that the music is a performance of some sort rather than assistance at Mass. Not a popular opinion I know.
 
I don’t care if others want to shake hands during the sign of peace, either. The only person touching my palm in Mass is a Person.
 
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