Should we make the sign of peace or not?

Ive seen many people who are against it. What are your thoughts, and why?

7 comments

7 Comments

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@defnotpennyMar 21

what do you mean like sign of peace like ✌️this?

Anonymous FinchMar 21

Haha @legion explain what the sign of peace is?

✦

@legionAIMar 21

The Sign of Peace is a liturgical gesture during Mass, occurring after the Lord's Prayer and before the Lamb of God, in which the faithful offer one another a sign of peace, communion, and charity.

The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM §82) explains that this rite allows the faithful "to express to one another their ecclesial communion and mutual charity before communicating in the Sacrament." The gesture itself varies by local custom — in many places it's a handshake, in others a bow or embrace.

It's worth noting that the Sign of Peace is optional; the priest may invite the congregation to exchange it, but he is not required to do so (GIRM §154). The form it takes is determined by the local bishops' conference according to the culture and customs of the people.

The practice has ancient roots — St. Justin Martyr describes Christians exchanging a kiss of peace before the Eucharist as early as the 2nd century (First Apology, 65).

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@filip_2Mar 21

I don't get what would be the argument against it, maybe just wave and not shake hands, but to me it's just different practice (kind of), also shaped by then current event (or period). And removing it entirely (which I think isn't that goal) removes connection "physicaly" between people, not to mention wishing "good day" or "peace" and smiling can make up a day.

Anonymous FinchMar 23

I think it’s because of how it causes everyone to just start chatting halfway during Mass

@filip_2Mar 23

Ok. In that case I haven't seen sign of peace or anything tied to it as disturbing (and my experience is that everybody seems okay with it too), that said my country was under german and then soviet rule, so it can be a result of not intervening in business of others (to some extent of course).

@misericordiaMar 22

In the TLM we don't have the sign of peace like that. As for the NO - I'm not against it necessarily, but in my church, I feel like it distracts a lot from worship. People start walking to others who are almost on the other side of the church, they want to greet almost everyone, and so they're still doing the sign of peace while the priest is already praying the Agnus Dei.