Posted on 07/31/2014 7:09:56 PM PDT by marshmallow
Vatican City, Jul 31, 2014 / 05:01 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- The Congregation for Divine Worship, in a recent circular letter, announced that the placement of the sign of peace within Mass will not change, though it suggested several ways the rite could be performed with greater dignity.
“The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments … pronounced in favor of maintaining the 'rite' and 'sign' of peace in the place it has now in the Ordinary of the Mass,” Fr. Jose Maria Gil Tamayo, secretary general of the Spanish bishops' conference, related in a July 28 memo.
He noted that this was done out of consideration of the placement of the rite of peace as “a characteristic of the Roman rite,” and “not believing it to be suitable for the faithful to introduce structural changes in the Eucharistic Celebration, at this time.”
The sign of peace is made after the consecration and just prior to the reception of Communion; it had been suggested that it be moved so that it would precede the presentation of the gifts.
Fr. Gil's memo was sent to the Spanish bishops, and prefaced the Congregation for Divine Worship's circular letter, which was signed June 8 by Cardinal Antonio Canizares Llovera, its prefect, and its secretary, Archbishop Arthur Roche. The circular had been approved and confirmed the previous day by Pope Francis.
The letter made four concrete suggestions about how the dignity of the sign of peace could be maintained against abuses.
Fr. Gil explained that the circular letter is a fruit of the 2005 synod of bishops on the Eucharist, in which the possibility of moving the rite was discussed.
“During the Synod of Bishops there was discussion about the appropriateness of greater restraint in this gesture, which can be exaggerated and..........
(Excerpt) Read more at catholicnewsagency.com ...
How could this possibly not be a caucus topic?
Going to the Latin Mass, I never have to deal with the handshake sideshow. On the rare occasion I have to go to a Novus Ordo in order to attend mass at all, I dread that particular portion the entire time.
Agree
Awful, peculiar intrusion thanks to the 1960s. Shaking hands with people you’re going to try and kill getting out of the parking lot ten minutes later.
Also, what’s that horrible raising of palms I’ve occasionally seen at suburban Masses? Yuck!
That was the reason I quit going to the NO originally (in 70s, I suppose?). Then I discovered all the more important reasons.
When I go to Mass on Sunday it’s between God and me, I don’t want to have a relationship with anyone during Mass but Jesus
I personally like the sign of peace. But whatever.
**“During the Synod of Bishops there was discussion about the appropriateness of greater restraint in this gesture, which can be exaggerated and**
This would make us all very happy.
Palms are lifted so that the priest can circulate through the Church sprinkling them with Holy Water and thus, blessing them.
My mother was a Baptist, but she thought the Sign of Peace was one of the more beautiful parts of the mass.
I attended Mass in Las Vegas, at the Cathedral there, and they did just that. It was nice.
No I know what he is referring too. There is no holy water being sprinkled. It happens during the Our Father.
When I go to Mass on Sunday it’s between God and me, I don’t want to have a relationship with anyone during Mass but Jesus”””
Wow! “Whenever two or more are gathered in My name.”
Why bother going? Why not just sit outside in your car and listen?
I hate that freaking sign of peace and it is one of the reasons I go to Latin Mass
not only do I not want to shake hands with anybody during Mass I also do not want to “turn around and greet your neighbor” at the beginning of Mass and I certainly do not want to hold hands during the Our Father....
Quite frankly, I don't care to even notice who else is in the Church. Every bit of concentration adn focus should be on God alone. Community and fellowship and such can come before mass and after mass, but for the mass itself, the focus MUST be God alone.
I always take a pew in the back of the church - even during a Latin Mass. The most wonderful Masses of my childhood were the Monday-Friday Mass at 8am at my Catholic school. During the winters, the nuns locked the school doors and the only relief from the cold weather was going to Mass. No sermon and just a quiet, meditative Mass. So beautiful.
which is why I resent having to stand after receiving communion....I want to do what my mother did...and that was to kneel, folding your hands over your eyes and saying some quiet prayers to the Lord....
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