Catholics - Do you like the sign of peace?

[BuzzBoyMom]

It does make people seem friendlier. We don't go overboard, but it is nice to gesture to your neighbor.

 

[MerryPoppins]

I'm an Episcopalian, so I hope it's okay for me to jump in here. After all, we joke that we are Catholic lite. We also pass the peace. I love it.

I remember when our church started this practice. A lot of people were upset about it. I once heard a priest explain that it was a symbol of reconciliation. You are "making peace" with the people around you before communion. I like that. And also it is actually a very old practice that we just reinstated in more recent years.

It still makes me smile every Sunday. My dad wasn't crazy about passing the peace. He's not with us any longer and I miss him a lot. I can still see him peering over the top of his glasses and mumbling "peace on you". He had a great sense of humor.

 

[auntpolly]

That was a good point by goofygirl, how many of our RC friends use the communal cup at communion? .

Our church doesn't offer it -- I haven't used it when I've had the chance...no offense to those of you who like it. That's going a little too far for me!

 

[diznygirl]

I like the Sign of Peace - we are a parish community, and we should act like it. I think if you are going to something, do it 100% or not at all.

 

[belle&beast]

Are most of the people strangers at your parish? Is that normal in the Catholic church? We don't have time during our shaking hands session to leave our pew and go 4 pews over or anything, but I usually know the names of the people sitting one or two pews in front of me and behind me. And even if I don't know their names I know their faces. That's why if I see someone unfamiliar I make a point of introducing myself. Do you find you generally know the other families and people in your parish or is that not too common?

Our area has many Catholic churches and DH and I have attended quite a few to decided where we want to belong and send our kids to school eventually (which is a whole issue in itself!) We have found that some parishes are absolutely HUGE and you will never see the same people twice and others are smaller and seem more friendly to newcomers. I personally grew up in a rather large parish and my family knew everyone because my sister and I went to school there and my parents were involved inthe school as well. I really like the smaller parishes right now because my kids are not in school yet and I have been able to meet some people.

I do like the sign of peace and like the fact that it teaches my children to be friendly to others. I have been to Lutheran and Bretheren services and they both have some type of greeting. I have to admit I was a little uncomfortable at the Church of the Bretheren when newcomers had to stand up and introduce themselves and say why they were there. We went for a baby's introduction to the church, the correct term is escaping me now. But it was a tiny little church and everyone knew we did not belong, so there was no way out of it. I guess I like the ritualistic parts of the Mass. Anywhere you go in the world you know what to expect and can fully participate.

 

[Dina]

I love it!! Even if I'm in a bad mood, I can't help but smile during the sign of peace, and usually for at least a few minutes after. My favorite part of mass.

 

[auntpolly]

I love it!! Even if I'm in a bad mood, I can't help but smile during the sign of peace, and usually for at least a few minutes after.

I know, I was thinking the same thing. We went to 7:30 and I wasn't quite awake, and not really in a bad mood but just not fully alive, I guess. There was a woman in front of me that looked like, I don't know, I guess a snob, if I saw her on the street I guess that's what I'd think. (not fair, I know, just being honest) But she gave me the warmest smile and it was so contagious I thought many minutes later, "I'm still smiling!"

 

[Dznypal]

that could be taken out--

shaking hands is one of them--like another poster said about colds and germs eeewwwww

another things while we're on the subject is

the whole wine bit--

I mean who wants to drink out a glass 300 other people have--you dont know what theyre carrying

I actually got to a lady she didnt know what to say--and Im usually pretty quite

but my DH and me went out to eat on Sat after he got done with church

and there was this lady that saw him in church and she was going on and on about how great the wine bit is--I just said what a disgusting ritiual it is how many other people drank from it--I said would you drink from a glass that all the people that are in this resturant now jsut drank from ?

she didnt know what to say then!!!

The only time I go to church now is for a special event my Dniece is getting baptized on the 16th and my DD is getting married 8-5-06

most of the people that go think there holier then the pope

ok opinion over

 

[goofygirl]

That was a good point by goofygirl, how many of our RC friends use the communal cup at communion? I tend to hope that the wine is strong enough to kill the germs we're swapping.

The rim of the cup is wiped with a cloth (called a purificator) after each person. I guess that makes it a little better, along with the wine killing the germs (hopefully). The priest has to drink out of it after everyone else is done with it. He must have a great immune system lol!

Personally, I prefer to "dip not sip", that is, dip the bread into the wine (intinction).

 

[Missy1961]

I know, I was thinking the same thing. We went to 7:30 and I wasn't quite awake, and not really in a bad mood but just not fully alive, I guess. There was a woman in front of me that looked like, I don't know, I guess a snob, if I saw her on the street I guess that's what I'd think. (not fair, I know, just being honest) But she gave me the warmest smile and it was so contagious I thought many minutes later, "I'm still smiling!"

I went to Mass yesterday with 2 of my nieces--ages 3 1/2 & 7 1/2. I love when they give someone the sign of peace. The 2 of them love to share it with as many people as possible. I think they made lots of people smile yesterday!

 

[auntpolly]

most of the people that go think there holier then the pope

So, you don't like the sign of peace, but you don't really like anything about the church. That's OK, but I think when I'm at mass, that's when I start feeling like we're all the same, and I'm really no better or no worse than anyone there, and that we're ll just trying our best, and I feel like it is a real "communion".

I'm just not sure that everyone is as bad as you think they are. We're all human that's for sure. We all sin. Nothing we can do about that.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I am not Catholic and I attend a nondemoniational Christian church. Each service we have a time to "say hello to the others around you." I enjoy this time. It always starts off with a kiss with DH, then I shake hands and yak with the people around me. It takes a little time to settle us all down.

 

[Dznypal]

actually being "forced" to go to church 6 days a week when I was in school

I guess Im just churched out that may sound bad but after going a few times when my kids were in catholic school (we live in Milwaukee--public school was NOT and option!!) and seeing how people act its not for me.

not only that there was a pastor there that wouldnt marry one of my DD friends sister since they lived together!!! yet a few years later he was conviced of child molestation!!!!

another example of holier then the pope--he was going to be the strict priest and not marry this couple since they lived together yet what he was doing was so mcuh worse!!!!

 

[JVL1018]

I'm not Catholic, but we do the Peace in my Presbyterian Church. I reallllly dislike it, I dread it, and am not comfortable each Sunday until it's done and over with.

It has nothing to do with germs, I am not a germaphobe at all.

It just feels weird to shake hands with people saying Peace of God be with you, when you've just said hello to them when you sat down 5 minutes before..and the "travelers" as I call them-the people who walk all over the place just to say it. It drives me nuts!


When my kids were babies I'd hold them so I didn't have to do it. LOL Sometimes I still do it with my 4 year old.

I really don't know why it makes me feel so uncomfortable but it does.

It makes me feel the same way I'd feel at some work function where you were in a meeting with people in the company whom you hadn't met and everyone had to introduce themselves and tell a little bit about yourself, what you like to do, hobbies... Just dreadful.

 

[auntpolly]

Thanks for all your responses! I love the church and I'm really enjoying what you have to say -- I think if you are uncomfortable with it I can totally see that. It is kind of a moment when you have to "play along" even if you don't feel like it.

If anyone wants to start talking about how icky the church is to them, for whatever reason, please start your own thread. I know I don't "own" this thread, but I'm just asking as a courtesy. Could we have one conversation about the church that I love without turning it into a Catholic bashing thread? Pretty please???

 

[elizke]

Makes me think of once though when my always friendly, always Catholic parents refused to shake hands with someone. My parents have gotten increasingly germ-conscious over the years. My mom started nagging me years ago to do the cough into the crook of your elbow thing. Anyway, this man had been very loudly and sickly coughing and sneezing into his hand the whole mass. And my dad I think patted him on the shoulder and said "peace be with you". I couldn't believe he did that, but also the man was kind of thoughtless too. My folks are old and feeble ya know. And you have to go up and use your hand for communion right after.


I don't mind it. Sometimes it feels silly that we all stand there and stare straight ahead. It is supposed to be a community and it gets harder and harder to feel that way anymore. The churches around here are all very large, and people come and go. We barely speak to the priests and really hardly know anyone. We're not outgoing enough. At least when we give the sign of peace it feels like we are making a connection with each other, something sorely missing more and more in all of society.


I feel there is a lot that needs to change with mass, but I guess the sign of peace is not one to me.

E.

 

[helenabear]

The rim of the cup is wiped with a cloth (called a purificator) after each person. I guess that makes it a little better, along with the wine killing the germs (hopefully). The priest has to drink out of it after everyone else is done with it. He must have a great immune system lol!

Personally, I prefer to "dip not sip", that is, dip the bread into the wine (intinction).

Dipping the bread into the wine in our church, is no longer allowed. It is part of the GIRM. It's considered not reverent enough, and therefore we are not allowed to do it anymore.

However, I don't have an issue with drinking communal wine from the cups. It never has bothered me.

Our church also has a meet & greet at the beginning like Miss Jasmine said. I love it as well and it usually takes a while for us to stop chattering. Probably makes the sign of peace much easier for us. Of course in my chuch, we seem to be big on hugging so I do a lot of that during the time

 

[Barb D]

..we say, "Peace be with you" ...!

We're not Catholic, but we visited a Lutheran church once where this was done. Unfortunately, DS14 misunderstoond what was going on, and thought the person said "Pleased to meet you." He said, "Happy to meet you, too!"

 

[DisneyGerry]

http://catholic-resources.org/ChurchDocs/Mass.htm#Eucharist

Eucharistic Prayer:

[The priest may choose from among four regular Eucharistic Prayers, or two other Eucharistic Prayers for Masses of Reconciliation. On appropriate occasions, the priest may also choose from among three Eucharistic Prayers for Masses with Children, or four recently approved Eucharistic Prayers for Various Needs and Occasions. Each prayer has a similar structure, including some responses and acclamations by all the people. There are also many choices for the "Preface," depending on the liturgical season, the feast of the day, and the ritual or occasion being celebrated at that Mass. Click here for the full texts of the various Eucharistic Prayers.]

[The posture of the people during the Eucharistic Prayer is different in various countries and regions; in the United States, the people normally stand until the "Holy, Holy", and then kneel until after the "Great Amen."]

Preface Dialogue:
Priest: The Lord be with you. All: And also with you.
Priest: Lift up your hearts. All: We lift them up to the Lord.
Priest: Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God. All: It is right to give him thanks and praise.

Holy, Holy (Sanctus):
All: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
[kneel]

Memorial Acclamation:
Priest: Let us proclaim the mystery of faith:
All: A - Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
or B - Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life. Lord Jesus, come in glory.
or C - When we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim your death, Lord Jesus, until you come in glory.
or D - Lord, by your cross and resurrection, you have set us free. You are the Savior of the World.

Doxology and Great Amen:
Priest: Through him, with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, almighty Father, for ever and ever.
All: Amen! [may be sung more than once]

[stand]

COMMUNION RITE

Lord's Prayer:

Priest: Let us pray with confidence to the Father in the words our Savior gave us.
or Jesus taught us to call God our Father, and so we have the courage to say:
or Let us ask our Father to forgive our sins and to bring us to forgive those who sin against us.
or Let us pray for the coming of the kingdom as Jesus taught us.

All: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Priest: Deliver us, Lord, from every evil, and grant us peace in our day. In your mercy keep us free from sin and protect us from all anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
All: For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever.

Sign of Peace:

Priest: Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles: I leave you peace, my peace I give you. Look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and grant us the peace and unity of your kingdom where you live for ever and ever.
All: Amen.

Priest: The Peace of the Lord be with you always.
All: And also with you.

Deacon or Priest: Let us offer each other a sign of peace.
[The ministers and all the people exchange an embrace, handshake, or other appropriate gesture of peace with those near them, according to local custom.]

Rudolf Koch: Christian SymbolsBreaking of the Bread:

All: Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: grant us peace.
[kneel]

[This text may be sung or recited, and may be repeated several more times until the breaking of bread and the preparation of the communion vessels is finished; but the last phrase is always "Grant us peace."]

Communion:

Priest: This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to his supper.
All: Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed.

 

[Missy1961]

We're not Catholic, but we visited a Lutheran church once where this was done. Unfortunately, DS14 misunderstoond what was going on, and thought the person said "Pleased to meet you." He said, "Happy to meet you, too!"

That's great! It brought a smile to my face.