Catholics - Do you like the sign of peace?

[auntpolly]

I've heard so many people say that they don't like it, that it is for them a really weird part of church, and that they wish we'd go back to latin mass, etc.

I really love it, and I think I am post Vatican II so I wasn't around for latin masses being the norm, but I like them in English.

When we do the sign of peace, it just makes me so happy -- people that don't look at all friendly, turn around and smile, and the people you think look the most stern ending up seeming so kind. Several times it's led me to actually meet someone new at mass.

So, tell me, do you like it, or is it something that you wish they'd take out?

 

[Divamomto3]

I've never known the Mass without Peace. Sometimes I find it unnerving. There may be someone who has coughed and sneezed the entire time and I don't want to shake their hand. Maybe I'm sitting near someone I don't want to turn around and make eye contact with. LOL...great Christian thoughts, eh?

 

[belle_of_the_ball]

even if im still a teen...and have never had a latin mass... i wouldnt go for it

the church is a community...it should act like one, with everybody participating!

which in my eyes means yes....shake the hand of the man behind you, and dont be a party pooper because chances are someone there wants to meet you too!

 

[helenabear]

I personally love it. I don't think I've been to a church that hasn't done it though.

Why someone would want to go back to a non-participating type of mass is beyond me though. I actually sometimes wish we could participate more

 

[spacemountain]

I love the sign of peace at mass. I think it is such a simple symbol of kindness and love.

When we do the sign of peace, it just makes me so happy -- people that don't look at all friendly, turn around and smile, and the people you think look the most stern ending up seeming so kind.

I know exactly what you mean

 

[auntpolly]

I actually sometimes wish we could participate more

What kinds of things do you mean?

 

[JoyG]

What is the sign of peace? When I read the first post in this thread I thought you meant the "peace sign" as in hippies, etc. I was thinking "how do they fit that into the mass?"

It sounds like you're talking about shaking hands or something? We do that every Sunday in church. The pastor says, "turn around and say good morning to someone" and we have 15-30 seconds of shaking hands. I enjoy it. But I usually end up shaking the same hands every week b/c I sit near the same people every Sunday. But when I do see an unfamiliar face I go out of my way to introduce myself and say welcome.

 

[auntpolly]

IThere may be someone who has coughed and sneezed the entire time and I don't want to shake their hand.

There's a very funny Dane Cook skit about the sign of peace -- I think if you are Catholic, it is just the funniest thing ever!

 

[auntpolly]

What is the sign of peace? When I read the first post in this thread I thought you meant the "peace sign" as in hippies, etc. I was thinking "how do they fit that into the mass?"
.

Yes, the priest says, "Let us offer each other a sign of peace" and we say, "Peace be with you" or something like that to the people around us. At our church, it lasts a really long time with people going really out of their way to shake hands!

 

[cynsaun]

There's a very funny Dane Cook skit about the sign of peace -- I think if you are Catholic, it is just the funniest thing ever!

Honestly this is the part that I don't like during mass.

On a side note, when I was about 7, I thought making the sign of the cross was a contest. I was so proud of myself for being able to do it faster than anyone else in church.

 

[Papa Deuce]

well, when I did go to church, I HATED it.

 

[auntpolly]

well, when I did go to church, I HATED it.

That's interesting, but I was hoping for more explanation than that.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I like it--but I too have never seen a Catholic mass without it.

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

I am not Catholic, but DH is. When I attend church with him I dislike this part of mass because most of it is so fake. I don't care for the "participation" parts at all.

ANYWAY, it burns me up that the people who wear the shiniest halos at church... smiling and hugging and shaking hands with everyone and their brother.... are the ones who proudly wear the devil horns, tail and pitchfork every other day in every other situation. KWIM?

 

[helenabear]

What kinds of things do you mean?

Kind of hard to totally explain. My church isn't quite so bad at this, but I really like it when the whole congregation sings more. I also wish that some of the rituals didn't feel like they were just rituals. "The Lord be with you" then you hear a bunch of murmurrings "And also with you" It just feels so scripted and sometimes feels like you say it because you have to. I don't mean me personally, but the people out there. Sometimes I thnk we need a little less ritual at times, so people aren't just going through a motion.

I am not sure that makes sense. I don't like to be an observer, I like to be a particpator. But the Church as a whole is full of a lot of passive people in the congregation. I don't feel a lot of the time that the spirit moves many at all during service.

That's just my personal perspective... and I am a cradle Catholic

 

[Todd&Copper]

I don't like it at all - as a Catholic I find it very insincere. The same people who are falling over themselves to shake everyone's hands are the ones who are practically running over everyone in their SUV's to try to leave the church parking lot first and get home to watch sports.

 

[auntpolly]

Kind of hard to totally explain. My church isn't quite so bad at this, but I really like it when the whole congregation sings more. I also wish that some of the rituals didn't feel like they were just rituals. "The Lord be with you" then you hear a bunch of murmurrings "And also with you" It just feels so scripted and sometimes feels like you say it because you have to. I don't mean me personally, but the people out there. Sometimes I thnk we need a little less ritual at times, so people aren't just going through a motion.



)

Oh you are talking to the girl who loooooooooves to sing! I love some of those songs -- Eagle's WIngs makes me cry!!!!

But the ritual part is the part I like -- I'm not sure why but I've always been drawn to it.

 

[ForTheLoveofDisney]

It's so funny that you ask this, auntpolly!
Just yesterday I was thinking how nervous I get everytime at the sign of peace! How silly is that? I mean I get a little worked up inside. . . totally ridiculous I know! I'm an outgoing person but that sign of peace throws me everytime!

Anyway, leave it to the Dis.

One minute I'm feeling it and the next minute it ends up here! Go figure.

 

[DisneyGerry]

Seems to me the sign of peace or kiss of peace was a Church reaction to the worldly 1960/ 70s. Peace be with you? Is anything more indictative of the late 60s than that? All that banners in the Church/ Signing Kumbaya, etc.

Shaking hands with your neighbor before Mass begins. At my Church people walk across aisles/ falling over 4 pews to shake hands with someone/ people exchanging recipes/ sport scores. Seems irreverant right after the Consecration as well.

Anyway

Gerry

 

[auntpolly]

It's so funny that you ask this, auntpolly!
Just yesterday I was thinking how nervous I get everytime at the sign of peace!

You know even though I love it I can identify a little -- sometimes I feel a little anxious right before and think -- what if no one turns to me!!!