Catholics - Do you like the sign of peace?

[CajunDixie]

I'm not Catholic but I'm often at masses with friends or family members for various reasons, such as funerals. The Sign of Peace doesn't bother me to much. But I find it strange people will fake being nice to people that 10 minutes after the mass they make snide remarks about.

And then there was the Catholic church in some lil podunk town in Montana long ago. My bestfriend was on the trip with us and we couldn't find our campground so stopped in front of this little church for the night. The next morning her and I attended mass. Thankfully, I sat against the wall in the back and only one single guy sat next to her. Their Sign of Peace wasn't a handshake.........it was a hug and kiss. I'm sorry but that was just freaky to have a total stranger want to hug and kiss you. He started to come toward me and I backed up and stuck out my hand.

 

[lbgraves]

You can't think about germs in church because we also have a common cup for communion- you just have to put any thoughts of "oh no I'm gonna catch something!" out of your mind.

That is exactly why we do not do the wine at communion. I just can't get past the yuck factor with that. That didn't start in our Church until I was a teen. Now with the priest shortage they have the laypeople giving out the wine. I wont go to anyone except a Priest for communion. I don't have anything against them but it doesn't mean anything to me. I don't believe in just going thru the motions. That is why I don't hold hands during the Lord's Prayer. That is just too showy for me. I prefer the more conservative Mass like we had when I was growing up.

Our Church stops the sign of peace during the flu season. I am greatful that they do. The rest of the time it doesn't really bother me. We sit in the same area so recognize many of the people around us. They also stop distributing the wine during this time.

 

[RoyalCanadian]

I love the sign of peace and hate when they don't do it in some churches in the winter because of germs. Give me a break you probably get as many germs from turning a door knob. I also love that my church does the wine. I feel mre part of the Mass

Amen Lisa. During the Lutheran liturgy the sharing of the peace of the Lord comes immediately after the prayers of intercession. One of my seminary professors described the sharing of the peace as our opportunity to embrace the people for whom we have just prayed. The sharing of the peace is a wonderful part of the liturgy -- and it's biblically supported. Christ's first words to his disciples on each resurrection appearance were "Peace be with you." The apostle Paul also directs in some of his letters that others in the Christian communities be greeted with a holy kiss.

As for the wine in the common chalice -- once again wonderfully biblical. We know that Christ shared the cup with his disciples during the institution of the sacrament. I know many Lutheran clergy and nearly all Anglican/Episcopal clergy consume the remaining wine at the end of the celebration of the Lord's Supper. One would think if the common cup were a vector of contagion then the clergy of the liturgical churches would be in a constant state of illness. Rather it has been shown that individual glasses are more likely to carry more germs than a properly used common chalice. The key is to ensure the ministers distributing the common chalice are properly trained in the proper method of cleaning the rim of the cup using the purificator.

The Christian church has survived for 2000 years with the common cup and I have no intention of giving up the practise of celebrating Holy Communion with a common cup -- regardless of SARS or cold seasons. The loss of the common cup, as well as the loss of the sharing of the peace would make the Christian church a much poorer place to be.

 

[DisneyGerry]

It's a product of the 60s, the 0060s, really the 0030s. It was part of the original Christian liturgy modelled after the risen Christ's greeting in the sealed upper room

But the actual exchanging the 'sign of peace' wasnt introduced into the Church until post Vatican II and to me at least represents the spirit of the era. It is not done in the Tridentine Mass (the pre Vatican II Mass) nor if you watch Mass on EWTN, which is a hybrid of the Novus Ordo and the Latin Mass.

 

[sodaseller]

But the actual exchanging the 'sign of peace' wasnt introduced into the Church until post Vatican II and to me at least represents the spirit of the era. It is not done in the Tridentine Mass (the pre Vatican II Mass) nor if you watch Mass on EWTN, which is a hybrid of the Novus Ordo and the Latin Mass.

http://www.dioceseofbrooklyn.org/tablet/11122005/editorials7.html

Between 2,000 and 2,500 bishops attended each Vatican II session, and participants have said the debates ranged from free-wheeling to finely tuned, with verbal skirmishes not uncommon. To give just one example, when the first draft of the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (“Lumen Gentium”) was presented, it was roundly criticized as triumphal, clerical and legalistic; the document was adopted two years and many amendments later.

From the beginning, bishops recognized that their task was not just updating Church practices but also a process of “resourcement,” or going back to the sources of the faith.

Lest the practice of resourcement (returning to the sources) be considered too heterodox, consider
http://www.stocktrading.com.au/product-detail/0/book/0802841066

Book: In the Beginning...: A Catholic Understanding of the Story of Creation and the Fall (Resourcement) :: Book

Note the author

 

[nuttylawprofessor]

That's interesting about the sliver and gold and the wine, I didn't know that!

My Priest also takes the time to shake everyone's hand

The service in the Episcopal church is similar to what Gerry posted, only we use this for the Doxology:

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

I love this, it's really pretty when sung.

As with all things in the Episcopal Church, depends on where you are. There's a service for every flavor, from high and crazy, to middle and hazy, to low and lazy. Gotta love them Anglicans. For wherever Episcopalians are gathered in His name, you're sure to find a fifth.

 

[goofygirl]

As with all things in the Episcopal Church, depends on where you are. There's a service for every flavor, from high and crazy, to middle and hazy, to low and lazy. Gotta love them Anglicans. For wherever Episcopalians are gathered in His name, you're sure to find a fifth.

That's so true!

I prefer high flavor myself- the more "bells and smells", the better!

 

[DisneyGerry]

Pew protocol tips for Mass manners

These guidelines are offered by Ambassador Protocol, a company that offers etiquette training, part of which promotes increased awareness of manners during Mass.
Attire
The idea of “Sunday best” should be honored; churchgoers of all ages should dress conserva*tively. Coat and tie is appropriate for men, but not required. Women should wear modest dresses, skirts and slacks; no tank tops, short skirts or tight-fitting clothing.

Arrival
Arrive at least 10 minutes before Mass begins. This helps reduce distractions and provides time to get settled. Latecomers should wait to be seated by ushers so as not to dis*rupt the service and the congregation.

Entering the church
It is optional to bless yourself with holy water, but as a sign of respect for the Blessed Sacrament, genuflect before taking your seat. Slide over to the center of the pew to accommodate others who arrive after you.

Quiet time
The liturgy is not the time to socialize with friends or prepare the of*fering envelope. Instead, sit quietly or pray. Turn off cell phones and pagers.

Kneeling
Respect for the Eucharist demands that we kneel on our knees without leaning back on the pew. Be careful not to drop or bang the kneelers.
If ill or disabled, it is ac*ceptable to sit.

Sign of Peace
People usually shake hands or exchange a quick kiss, but if you have a cold or cough, you can politely say, “Peace be with you,” without shaking hands.

Communion
Receive the holy Eucha*rist with reverence, bow slightly and respond “Amen.” If receiving the host by hand, place the left hand over the right (or opposite if you are left handed) and raise your arms slightly.
Gum or candy should never be in your mouth when taking the host.

Sign of the Cross
Join your hands; touch the forehead with the tips of your three longest fingers on your right hand, to the center of your chest, then to your left and right shoulder (in that order).

Leaving the church
The final part of Mass is singing a closing hymn.
Leaving before the hymn ends is inappropriate.
Genuflect toward the altar before leaving the pew or at the end of the pew.
To customize a parish program to teach church etiquette, call 410-290* 0436 or visit www.ambas sadorprotocol.com.

 

[Pin Wizard]

I get weird about handshakes since working in hospitals. LOL! I prefer not to. I definitely don't if someone near me is coughing, sneezing, etc., etc., etc.

 

[SunFloridaDisney]

Well said! Like I said, I think this is one of those reasons I need to be at church every week -- Some days it just seems like I'm mad at everyone -- people in traffic are "idiots" -- people on planes, oh, I just get so mad at everybody. But then I'm at church, during the sign of peace or specially at communion, and all that just melts away. I feel so humble, and I realize how we are really are one. And I'm just like everyone else, doing the best I can. It makes me very calm.

ITA I also like to reflect that we are all God's children, with our own problems, and even people who you think have it all together might have issues or hidden troubles. Everyone can use prayers, and I'm no "holier" than anyone else, maybe just in a different place on the journey.