The (Roman Catholic) Liturgical “Sign of Peace”: Move or Remove?

Crisis Magazinei ^ | December 29, 2014 | GERARD T. MUNDY

[Slyfox]

I attended Mass at the Las Vegas Cathedral in 1999 where they did the peace thing towards the beginning of Mass. I really liked that.

[murron]

One time at Mass, a little boy was sitting in front of me constantly putting his hands to his face and his nose. I told myself I wasn’t going to shake hands with him and try to avoid his gesture if I could. Well, he put his hand out, and I didn’t have the heart to ignore him, so I grabbed his wrist and shook that. I think fist-bumping would be a good alternate.

[miserare]

You are so kind!

I hope you have a strong immune system.

[virgil]

We don’t shake hands or anything like that at my parish. The Priest just says something like “may the peace of the Lord be with you”, and we say “and with your spirit”. Then we move on.

[stanne]

I mean on Sunday, one out of all the masses, do a no fooling around mass no sign of peace trad or Greg chant music no extraordinary ministers.

[HiTech RedNeck]

If you are going to mention Baptists — you brought it up, not me :-) — well, Baptist music makes sense at a Baptist service. It befits the recognition of Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice. I could pass on the applause, because it isn’t always clear if it is for God or the musicians. I’m not sure Baptist music makes sense elsewhere. When Baptists want to reflect the holy moment of crucifixion in drama, they do it on Good Friday.

[virgil]

Alter girls. How are we supposed to get vocations with alter girls?

[9thLife]

Sigh...is it me? Mass is becoming a trial what with people letting their toddlers climb all over the place -- love babies, just don't want to spend Mass on the edge of my seat fearing that one will bounce off the hardwood pew on his way to the marble floor, and frankly, yes, stupid parent annoy me -- the slovenly dress, the general lack of manners -- I'm not even talking about reverence, I'm just talking about basic social courtesy, and then there's always that weird woman who comes in alone, refuses to stand or kneel, but sits there and reads "Catholic New York" the whole time. And why do they always sit near me? The church could be empty but if sit down, whoosh, they fly over like migrating birds.

And did I tell you about the time I saw a guy -- this was at a Latin Mass -- whack the kid in front of him in the communion line on the shoulder because he wasn't advancing instantaneously after the person in front of him?

How about when the communion lines merge? Isn't that a tense moment? And the people who just strut up because they have to be the first ones in line...

Don't get me going on this...

[mikrofon]

Years ago in one parish (where every service seemed to be a Folk Mass), the priest would ask everyone to acknowledge & greet their neighbor next to them before starting – then at the current spot in the liturgy, it seemed like they’d have an instant replay… I could not understand why they felt the need to do essentially the same thing a second time, particularly prior to Communion.

[workerbee]

ALTAR, not ALTER.

Otherwise, I agree with you.

[Grateful2God]

It is optional. There are also rubrics concerning the crossing of the aisle, waving, etc.

Lately, with all the germophobia around, I notice people are a bit more subdued.... : )

If we must, I think maybe after the General Intercessions might be a good time for it...

[HiTech RedNeck]

you do have to wonder when seeing something like this... where’s the grace?

[Grateful2God]

Amen!

[virgil]

That’s nothing. What about the “She Man” who keeps coming to Latin Mass? A cross dresser, I’m not kidding.

[virgil]

Oh, you’re correct. I do that sometimes with spelling. lol

[9thLife]

I think I remember such a creature at a Latin Mass a long time ago...back at Our Savior. Certainly some flamers came in and "worshipped".

And then there's the substitute priest that came there once...with a photographer to catch the moment. Seemed a little tacky.

[jttpwalsh]

Alter girls. How are we supposed to get vocations with alter girls?

---

No girls in my day, but my youngest brother served with them.
Thanks for your reply!

[Grateful2God]

When I was little, you kept still; looked straight ahead at the priest; folded your hands; knelt at the Altar rail to recieve Communion; put your head down with your hands covering your face after receiving. You were quiet, and if any of this was violated, anyone had the right to tell you about it.

Maybe I didn’t always like the idea then, but I do remember one thing: even as a kid, you knew something really important was going on... Kids need to know that.

[bunkerhill7]

I like the sign of peace coz it gave me a legal holy excuse to sit next to a pretty girl in church and give her a big kiss smackaroo at the sign of peace. It was legal if you did it fast.

St. Paul had it right on the money:

Romans 16:16 “Salute one another with an holy kiss”

I`ll do what St. Paul says any day.

[Salvation]

**I do remember one thing: even as a kid, you knew something really important was going on... Kids need to know that.**

You were taught well.