As was reported last year, Pope Benedict has asked that the placement of the Sign of Peace be reviewed perhaps placing it earlier where it will be less disruptive to the preparation of the faithful for communion.
Cardinal Arinze, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship, brought the topic up again in an interview with L’Osservatore Romano on Friday. Pope Benedict has asked the Bishops for their thoughts and then he will make a decision.
Since the topic is still open for discussion and on the off chance that any Bishop would stumble across our humble site, I offer my suggestions for where they can stick the sign of peace.
- Ten minutes before mass.
- (Kiss of peace) Right before you tell your brother Fredo that you know it was him.
- Ten minutes after mass.
- Since those who foisted this on us always make the point that this was an ancient practice, I say we do it it right after we find and slaughter an unblemished red heifer.
- On Good Friday right after the ol’ school prayer for the Jews.
- Let’s not and say we did.
However, if we are going to keep it, why not make it more relevant, you know, for the kids.
- Chest bump of peace
- Slap on the butt of peace. The altar boys could … um … never mind on this one.
- The jive handshake of peace.
Actually, my preference is that the SOP is moved to before the offertory and is changed into the barely perceptible nod of peace. That way, at weekday mass, I will no longer have to sit in a pew with a minimum 5 empty pews between me and another human to insure that nobody gets any funny ideas. At five pews distance, you typically get the nod or the muted wave of peace. That is more like it. However, if somebody looks overly friendly, I increase the minimum safe distance to 8 pews and try to sit in their blind spot or behind a column if available. No sense taking chances.
Ideally, would should return to the even more ancient and venerable practice of leave me alone.
November 24, 2008 at 9:46 pm
Maybe we can do the knuckle/fist bump thing like the Obamas do? That would open the windows of the church and bring in a him, urban vibe.
November 24, 2008 at 9:47 pm
Make that “hip, urban, vibe.”
November 24, 2008 at 11:41 pm
I hereby charge all of you with disturbing the peace.
November 25, 2008 at 12:03 am
God willing may I continue to attend a Mass minus the SOP, which always turned into a disruption. I apologize for enjoying this blessing, even at the English Masses I attend.
It always seemed to me that the Catholic SOP was an attempt to mimic the Protestants “fellowship” thing. They are much better at it, so let them keep it.
November 25, 2008 at 3:11 am
an after thought–the hand raising during Mass prayers and the hand holding during the Our Father were never sanctioned. They are not part of the rubrics, but somebody got inspired by Protestants (I guess). It just never was a Catholic thing…
but brother, it sure is popular in some places. Catholics seem to have lost their identity, went out with the no meat on Friday change. Heard the Pope wanted to bring that back.
November 25, 2008 at 12:15 pm
I grew up hearing from my grandmother, “Before Mass speak to God, during Mass allow God to speak to you, after Mass speak to each other.”
November 27, 2008 at 3:16 am
I really wish they would do away with the practice. Everyone’s comments about “avoidance” are so funny and, sadly, fitting. Avoiding the SOP is hard to do at the Sunday or crowded Masses, I will usually just shake hands with the people directly next to or in front of me, somewhat like a compass and then end it there. As for the Our Father hand holding, nothing irks me more. I stubbornly grab my missalettee and hold it up high with both hands and make it quite clear I am reading out of it. Boy do people get angry when you don’t want to hold their hand. I hate holding other people’s hands. Not to mention it is not a proper practice, but why is everyone so touchy-feely? why must they take it so personally when someone dosen’t want to hold their hand during the our father? The other thing that irks me is when people don’t link their hands but hold their hands up as if they were the priest. What are they thinking- are they mini-priests or rent-a-priests? good grief. I apologize in advance for the caustic sarcasm
November 27, 2008 at 7:36 pm
Hey everybody….while I understand everyone’s frustrations, I’d like to comment on the charity that is required of all of us frustrated with the touchy-feely-ness of Mass.
The only way we’ll ever reach these people is with charity and kindness. We have to persevere in BOTH Truth and Kindness.
I know that it is somewhat trendy in more orthodox Catholic circles to appear righteously indignant at the abuses of the Holy Mass, but we have to resist this temptation. We must be strong, and gentle. Firm, and compassionate.
Keep in mind I am not a wussy pushover of a guy and would welcome red martyrdom or a warring Crusade at the tip of a hat. But our success lies in our likeness to Christ…throwing tables over in the Temple, but meek and humble of heart.
God Bless,
Paul
November 28, 2008 at 2:58 pm
As a relatively recent convert to the Church, I have missed many of the innovations (or at least the beginning of the innovations). While the SOP may have devolved as a mid-Mass coffee break, might it be fair to say that it needs to be reformed/restored rather than rescinded? As a former protestant, I always have viewed it in light of Matthew 5 and 18 (signifying that I am at peace with my brother – yea, more than signifying) prior to presenting myself to receive the Eucharist.
But what do I know?
November 29, 2008 at 3:31 pm
After a few years of experimentation, I think I have come up with a foolproof system of avoidance:
1. At a daily Mass, sit far away from anyone. This is the easiest method for a sparsely-attended Mass.
2. For Sunday and Holy Day Masses:
–bring a missal
–ignore the bad ICEL translation and just read the Latin. This also allows you to memorize the Mass (including responses) in Latin, which is obviously a good thing to know
–At the “Offerte vobis pacem,” say quickly to yourself “Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum.” This allows you to strictly comply with the GIRM rubrics
–Kneel down immediately. Continue kneeling through the Agnus Dei
–while the idiots are glad-handing, read the prayers of private preparation of the priest. This will give you something to do and will give your eyes a place to go while your befuddled neighbors wonder what the heck you are doing.
At the end of the day, you will avoid the horrible SOP, and will learn more about the Mass and ecclesiastical Latin.