One of the good things our Bishop has done was to do away with the "sign of the peace." His reasoning was like yours in that we should be focused on the Eucharist. Now when I'm visiting a Mass that still does it I keep my focus on the altar, but if someone near me insists I just nod.
Definitely a pet peeve of mine! Firstly, I try not to attend Novus Ordo because of "participation" rubrics such as this. If I must go, I strategize where I will sit, preferably in a somewhat isolated pew (for example, the short end of a pew that has a huge pillar separating one from the people on the other side of it). At the sign of peace, I look down at my missal in order to avoid eye contact with people from afar who are craning their necks to engage with everyone possible. In any case, this strategy failed me last Friday, when an elderly woman (with a cane, no less!) squeezed herself around the pillar and thrust her hand at me, as if to say, "You WILL participate in the sign of peace!" I was shocked.
It isn't at all shocking. I've experienced the same. The entire exercise is a charade and a terrible distraction - which is what it was meant to do. The V2 crowd knew exactly what they were doing.
Me, too! And I'm embarrassed to say I used to do it. I always found it awkward and absurd, so the hippie peace sign was my quick way out of the handshake. Now I just refuse to engage. Unless someone forces me like the elderly lady I described in my comment above :-)
Just for fun, attend a Spanish Mass. We were in Venezuela for our son’s wedding and went Mass the next day. The Sign of Peace was a mass migration event. People in the back of the church went to see their abuelos in the front. People on one side went to hug those the other. Surprisingly, it was beautiful and brief. I had never seen anything like it. When the priest resumed the Mass, everyone was back in their pews.
The thing I love about Hispanic Masses is the overwhelming love they all have for the Lord and each other. I am willing to overlook a whole lot for that kind of spirit.
That’s an opinion. I don’t necessarily disagree but the Sign of Peace is in the rubric. Many priests want to include it and many parishioners find it comforting. Our current Pastor just did away with it so we’ll see how it is received.
The sign of peace in the Novus Ordo service (I don't call it a mass as it isn't a sacrifice but a community gathering to remember the Last Supper as Protestant's do) is the least of the reasons to avoid it at any cost. It is simply a committee of heretics/apostate's invention designed specifically to adhere to false ecumenism which is to deny there is only one true Christian faith, Catholicism, and serves as the foundation to introduce Catholics to accepting all kinds of sacrileges and abominable heresies on the way to the one world religion led by the Antichrist.
I commend you. Time is not on our side. Tomorrow or even in the next moment, the deceived may die. The bridge goes two ways and those who don't realize they have not been told the truth aren't traveling the right way.
I'm with you Elaine. I have so much resentment for being gaslit and lied to about what constitutes right worship for 50 years, I want no more of it and have zero patience and tolerance for BS. Please pray for me.
I will pray for you Jeron. And thank God that you were able to see the Light, especially after so many years of being deceived. Let us both pray for those still in the darkness and do many penances and types of reparation for those who are the deceivers.
These are bridges built on quicksand. And NO ONE has been converted because they've been given no good reason(s) to convert. Has any "separated church" returned? The Church has experienced nothing other than hemorrhagic shock since at least 1965.
Jo, there are individuals who have left the counterfeit church and found the true Catholic Church as it does and always will exist. It may be that howtobecatholic does succeed in bringing someone out of the darkness through the way(s) he/she is building a bridge. We cannot ever stop praying for lost souls.
According to the rubrics it’s optional. I decided long ago to opt out.
One of the good things our Bishop has done was to do away with the "sign of the peace." His reasoning was like yours in that we should be focused on the Eucharist. Now when I'm visiting a Mass that still does it I keep my focus on the altar, but if someone near me insists I just nod.
Definitely a pet peeve of mine! Firstly, I try not to attend Novus Ordo because of "participation" rubrics such as this. If I must go, I strategize where I will sit, preferably in a somewhat isolated pew (for example, the short end of a pew that has a huge pillar separating one from the people on the other side of it). At the sign of peace, I look down at my missal in order to avoid eye contact with people from afar who are craning their necks to engage with everyone possible. In any case, this strategy failed me last Friday, when an elderly woman (with a cane, no less!) squeezed herself around the pillar and thrust her hand at me, as if to say, "You WILL participate in the sign of peace!" I was shocked.
I do not mean to laugh, but that’s kind of funny. Assaulted with peace!
It isn't at all shocking. I've experienced the same. The entire exercise is a charade and a terrible distraction - which is what it was meant to do. The V2 crowd knew exactly what they were doing.
Amen! Amen! I concur!! I hate the 2 fingered peace sign!
Me, too! And I'm embarrassed to say I used to do it. I always found it awkward and absurd, so the hippie peace sign was my quick way out of the handshake. Now I just refuse to engage. Unless someone forces me like the elderly lady I described in my comment above :-)
Just for fun, attend a Spanish Mass. We were in Venezuela for our son’s wedding and went Mass the next day. The Sign of Peace was a mass migration event. People in the back of the church went to see their abuelos in the front. People on one side went to hug those the other. Surprisingly, it was beautiful and brief. I had never seen anything like it. When the priest resumed the Mass, everyone was back in their pews.
The thing I love about Hispanic Masses is the overwhelming love they all have for the Lord and each other. I am willing to overlook a whole lot for that kind of spirit.
Actually, I attended one last night. It was like a party! But yes, a lot of love.
A "whole lotta luv" can be offered & received at the appropriate moments. The Mass isn't one of them.
That’s an opinion. I don’t necessarily disagree but the Sign of Peace is in the rubric. Many priests want to include it and many parishioners find it comforting. Our current Pastor just did away with it so we’ll see how it is received.
The sign of peace in the Novus Ordo service (I don't call it a mass as it isn't a sacrifice but a community gathering to remember the Last Supper as Protestant's do) is the least of the reasons to avoid it at any cost. It is simply a committee of heretics/apostate's invention designed specifically to adhere to false ecumenism which is to deny there is only one true Christian faith, Catholicism, and serves as the foundation to introduce Catholics to accepting all kinds of sacrileges and abominable heresies on the way to the one world religion led by the Antichrist.
Subtle as always, Elaine. Thanks for reading!
When truth is suppressed or not known, I can't be silent nor sugar coat anything.
Nothing wrong with that, I’m trying to build bridges, it takes time.
I commend you. Time is not on our side. Tomorrow or even in the next moment, the deceived may die. The bridge goes two ways and those who don't realize they have not been told the truth aren't traveling the right way.
I'm with you Elaine. I have so much resentment for being gaslit and lied to about what constitutes right worship for 50 years, I want no more of it and have zero patience and tolerance for BS. Please pray for me.
I will pray for you Jeron. And thank God that you were able to see the Light, especially after so many years of being deceived. Let us both pray for those still in the darkness and do many penances and types of reparation for those who are the deceivers.
These are bridges built on quicksand. And NO ONE has been converted because they've been given no good reason(s) to convert. Has any "separated church" returned? The Church has experienced nothing other than hemorrhagic shock since at least 1965.
Jo, there are individuals who have left the counterfeit church and found the true Catholic Church as it does and always will exist. It may be that howtobecatholic does succeed in bringing someone out of the darkness through the way(s) he/she is building a bridge. We cannot ever stop praying for lost souls.
I choose to keep it simple by never ever , attending again , the new mass as it is so quaintly called.
Doesn’t anyone take note of “ and with the help of Your grace I will endeavour to avoid the near occasions of sin “