[NYer]

Indeed, it is the place of the peace gesture in the Novus Ordo Missae that is the problem.

The Maronite Catholic Church Sign of Peace

The sign of peace occurs just after the offertory, or more precisely, immediately prior to the Eucharistic prayer. It is a reminder that we gather and celebrate as one community, one body of Christ. Eucharist is not a personal matter but a public and community event. This early insert of the sign of peace is a further reminder that before we even think of communion and unity in the Eucharist, we acknowledge the unity of one another. As Scripture states, ‘So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift’ (Mt 5:23-24). Peace is exchanged from the altar without words but by a simple gesture of hands open to receive the hands that are joined to give.

The sign of peace is also different from the Latin Rite. The priest kisses the altar (which symbolizes Christ), places his hands on the chalice, then passes God's peace to the deacon, who then gives it to the acolyte. The acolyte then passes it to four children, who pass it to the first person in each pew. The peace is then passed from one person to the next. This approach is very rich indeed! Visitors always smile at the simplicity and beauty of this exchange.

[NYer]

Ping!

[stanne]

No one I know likes it. not in 40 years.

it’s stupid.

And it’s after consecration.

I refuse to turn my back to the Eucharist for this.

[Salvation]

I’ve read somewhere that it is optional and have attended a Mass where it was not done.

[trisham]

Rather than reminding the faithful that they are sharing in a solemn sacrifice and preparing to participate communally in worship (lex orandi), and in the Supper of the Lord, receiving His very body and blood as did the apostles on the night that they were told He was to become the Passover Paschal Lamb, the gesture of peace in its current place obliterates the reverence of the moment.

************************

Correct. Mass is not a block party.

[forgotten man]

I never forget to carry a bottle hand sanitizer when I go to Mass. I would prefer the Buddhist custom of keeping your hands to yourself, unless there is a hot looking babe who wants to give me a hug.

[Mrs. Don-o]

"Rather than reminding the faithful that they are sharing in a solemn sacrifice ...the gesture of peace in its current place obliterates the reverence of the moment."

Exactly. It's almost impossible to do it in a way that corresponds to the holy fear --- and I mean a grave high joy--- that should accompany what just happened at the altar. I participate, but I'm painfully aware that I'm falling way short of the solemnity which is, in fact, strictly required.

I absolutely refuse to go to a Mass where our parochial schoolchildren are in attendance: it becomes a genuine scandal. And this is not the fault of the children. It is the fault of adults who should know better --- and I mean, starting in the Vatican.

Just remove it.

[Biggirl]

The Maronite rite does the sign of peace right. It is in keeping with the Biblical command to make peace with one another before your offer your gift at the alter.

[Sergio]

I like the idea of the Sign of Peace being done before the presentation of the gifts at the altar. This of course will interfere with the collection, so the Sign of Peace will probably remain where it is.

[jttpwalsh]

I was an altar boy, years ago. My Mom took one of my non Catholic pals to the Mass I was serving. When the time came, the lady next to him, shook hands, and said “Peace be with you”. Misunderstanding what was said, he replied “Oh, pleased to be with you, too !”.

[piusv]

Sign of Peace in NO Service = peanuts

The NO Service = the whole enchilada

Time to return to pre-Vatican II and lose the NO. Just say NO to NO. Just say NO to the protestantization of the Mass.

[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.

[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.

[Jeff Chandler]

I refer to it as “the Grope of Peace”.

[Heart-Rest]

It sounds like the Maronite Catholic Church has a better way of doing that sign of peace (just like they have a better way of saying the "Our Father").

I wish there were more of those Maronite Catholic Churches in the USA.