Sign of peace at Mass: Vatican says it stays put, but urges education

Catholic Review ^ | 8/4/14 | Cindy Wooden

[Welchie25]

The sign of peace at Mass has not always led to serenity among liturgists or within the congregations gathered each Sunday in Catholic churches around the world.

After nine years of study and consultation, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments has told Latin-rite bishops around the world that the sign of peace will stay where it is in the Mass.

However, the congregation said, “if it is foreseen that it will not take place properly,” it can be omitted. But when it is used, it must be done with dignity and awareness that it is not a liturgical form of “good morning,” but a witness to the Christian belief that true peace is a gift of Christ’s death and resurrection.

The text of the congregation’s “circular letter” on “the ritual expression of the gift of peace at Mass,” was approved by Pope Francis and posted in Spanish on the website of the Spanish bishops’ conference. Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, confirmed its authenticity Aug. 1.

Catholic News Service obtained a copy of the letter in English.

[Trapped Behind Enemy Lines]

Everyone seems to have their own definition of ick around here.

I think it is icky to stick out your tongue when receiving Holy Communion. But that is personal opinion. If people want to do it. Fine. I have no issues. Same with the sign of peace. If people want shake hands with their neighbor. Fine. If they don’t. Fine.

[Miles the Slasher]

This and holding hands during the Our Father. Ugh.

[Does so]

Will a “fist-bump” work in these days of Ebola?

[kidd]

I have never understood why some object to receiving Holy Communion in the hand.

If done properly, in the hand is the correct method. But it is so ripe for abuse that, in practice, it is better to administer it on the tongue.

To be done correctly, one must have clean hands, form a cup with the hands so the the Host isn't dropped, and one must consume the Host in front of the minister of the Eucharist.

This is the body of Christ, and should be treated with the respect He deserves.

[Trapped Behind Enemy Lines]

Could not the Host just as easily fall off the tongue as it could fall off your hand?

It is human nature that we do things the way we know, the way we were raised, the way we were taught.

I was born in the 1960s after Vatican II went into effect. All I know is Mass said in English, Holy Communion received in the hand, and the sign of peace.

It is all natural and normal for me because that’s what I raised with and how I was taught. But I have no issues with people who prefer the Latin Mass, Holy Communion on the tongue, or not making the sign of peace.

[kidd]

This and holding hands during the Our Father. Ugh

Don't do it.

I was educated on this issue as part of my training as a Confirmation teacher.

Technically, a parish cannot say "don't hold hands during the Our Father" because the present rules for the Liturgy do not specify what to do with your hands during the Our Father.

If your priest told you to hold hands he would be introducing extra-liturgical practices.

If your priest told you to NOT hold hands he would be introducing extra-liturgical practices.

In reality - those present at the CELEBRATION of the Mass do not become a unified community until AFTER they have received communion. Holding hands before receiving communion sort of short-circuits the celebration by showing a unified community BEFORE communion. If you want to hold hands with your spouse, that is fine, as you've been unified through the sacrament of marriage. But holding hands with strangers is the wrong symbolism.

[kidd]

Could not the Host just as easily fall off the tongue as it could fall off your hand?

Yes. This is why most parishes have their altar servers hold a platten under the jaw to catch the dropped Host. As an altar boy in the early 70s, I don't recall catching any Hosts placed on the tongue, but it could happen.

[Trapped Behind Enemy Lines]

During the Our Father I usually hold hands with my wife while saying the prayer, but never with anyone outside my family. Not even friends or acquaintances at Mass.

It’s another one of those things I guess. Some people are comfortable doing it one way, others are not.

I have no problem shaking hands with people I don’t know when it is time to make the sign of peace. But I don’t like all of the hand holding during the Our Father except with my wife.

[steve8714]

I never NEVER take Communion in the liquid form. Never.