Fr Blake has an article
on the Sign of peace (here), and the FIUV have
published a Position Pater (see here). What follows are my
own thoughts.
For me the Sign of
Peace is one of the most irritating aspects of the Novus Ordo in its concrete celebrations. Having just prayed for
peace among us, peace immediately disappears as the folk shake hands with one
another, and some celebrants (illicitly) leave the sanctuary in order to join
in as though the peace he has just offered from the sanctuary is worthless. Thus
the meditative peace built during the Canon immediately disappears from the
celebration under a cacophony of noise and activity.
Secondly, the Sign
of Peace is all too often used an exchange of well-wishing between family and
friends, reminiscent of greetings at a local hop. This often becomes divisive: I
had the experience just prior to ordination of being moved to the side by the
woman in the bench front of me who wanted to shake hands with her friend in the
bench behind me. I have also had a parishioner tell me that, having remained
kneeling so as to pray over a distressing family problem, she was shaken on the
shoulder with a rather curt, “Peace be with you”.
Third, the Novus Ordo form of the Pax can be
decidedly lacking in pastoral sensitivity: those who are less clean in
appearance are rarely approached, while survivors of abuse have told me they occasionally
find it threatening.
Hygiene needs to
come into the equation too. As one of my congregation pointed out, some folk
have a habit of blowing and scratching their nose during Mass, then attempting
to shake hands.
I know the sign of
peace is loved by many because it is affirming, ‘warm’ and welcoming, but even
a warm welcome can be marred by the runny noses, dirty hands and noisy activity
which frequently surround this ritual. If
we are to have it, let the Bishops make it a real liturgical sign (the amplexus noted by Fr Ray) by removing
the secular gesture (the handshake), and let the people contain themselves to
their immediate left and right without the backwards and forwards commotion. It
is, after all, a ritual sign, not a social exchange.
Unfortunately, Father, anyone who does not care for the sign of peace as is now practised, is considered aloof and unfriendly. Like the lady you mention, I was praying for the deceased members of my family - parents and brothers - and did not wish to interrupt my prayers at that point in the melee that was going on around me. It was not that I was ignoring anyone but more a question of higher priorities. I had more important things on my mind. However, it did not go down well with a fellow behind me who murmured quite loudly -'what's up with him' - to all within earshot. If anyone wishes to engage in this activity then let them get on with it, but they must recognise that some may have sound reasons for not joining in and their views must be respected. Unfortunately, nowadays, if one is not seen to be actively singing, responding, clapping, and jumping up and down on cue, then you are considered not to be taking a full and active part in the 'celebration'.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Pax.
DeleteYes, if one does not care for the SOP one can get a reputation for being unfriendly and comments do get passed in public -showing that SOP is not doing what it is meant to do in the hearts of those who voice the divisive complaint.
The SOP in itself is not the problem; it is how it is done today that is irritating, and how it is forced upon people in wrapped in meditation and prayer. The amplex is far more fitting if we are going to keep the SOP.
God Bless.
Father,
ReplyDeleteYou may find it irritating in the way that it is done but you are obviously not anti the SOP in itself. Is there anything about the Novus Ordo that you don't actually like and would change?
Ellis
Thank you, Ellis.
DeleteThere are a few things I would change about the Novus Ordo but for me, the silent recitation of the canon should be re-instated asap. When it is recited aloud it is too easy to forget this is a prayer and start performing it for the people's edification -watch how many celebrants extend the gifts to the congregation while they say the words of consecration: a clear indication who is the focus of their attention.
Blessings!
Here in Asia, it is mostly a bow or a nod, which I think is much less disruptive than the Western practice of shaking hands.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Charles.
DeleteThis is also a sign of proper inculturation as well as a dignified action. I would reinstate the amplex in the West.
Blessings!
I think the much ignored rubrics specify that the exchange is with immediate neighbours.
ReplyDeleteThe late Archbishop Ramsay so hated the pax that he was always found deep in prayer at the time and no one dared disturb him!
Thank you vetusta ecclesia,
DeletePerhaps we need to be Archbishops to get peace during the Pax, as a number of folk who remain kneeling have been prodded and 'cajoled' to exchanging the pax!
God Bless.