article--Vatican has asked Bishops to tone down kiss of peace

Hmm...I've NEVER heard a song sung during the sign of peace. Generally, it's less than a minute long right before the Agnus Dei.

I read this a few days ago. The only abuse I've seen is people wandering all over to give the sign of peace to friends. That's annoying.

That drives me crazy. I don't like strangers touching me. The shorter, the better.

Here's my experience:

Turn to the right, offer hand, "Pax Christi"
Turn to the person behind me, offer hand, "Pax Christi"
Turn to the person on my left, offer hand, "Pax Christi"
Turn to the front, offer hand to person in front of me if they're turned my way, "Pax Christi."

Maybe a few more in my immediate area, but it's usually less than a minute.

Needing_Grace said:

Here's my experience:

Turn to the right, offer hand, "Pax Christi"
Turn to the person behind me, offer hand, "Pax Christi"
Turn to the person on my left, offer hand, "Pax Christi"
Turn to the front, offer hand to person in front of me if they're turned my way, "Pax Christi."

Maybe a few more in my immediate area, but it's usually less than a minute.

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That sounds like the way to do it.

Now if they would just eliminate Our Father hand-holding, I might return to mass. Seriously. Don't touch me, people.

Caedmon said:

Now if they would just eliminate Our Father hand-holding, I might return to mass. Seriously. Don't touch me, people.

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You should still go to Mass.

Caedmon said:

Now if they would just eliminate Our Father hand-holding, I might return to mass. Seriously. Don't touch me, people.

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I don't think that there is any requirement for hand holding during the Our Father. The practice is widespread and is not forbidden, but that is no the same as being a standard practice properly speaking.

Caedmon said:

Now if they would just eliminate Our Father hand-holding, I might return to mass. Seriously. Don't touch me, people.

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You can't really eliminate something that's not part of the mass to begin with.

I remember years back the 8:00pm Sunday Mass at my local parish....ugh. The kiss of peace would have a pre-kiss of peace at the beginning of the Mass. It was the super feel-good liberal kumbaya Mass, as my wife and I called it then. "In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. My dear brothers and sisters, welcome to the Sunday night Mass. Would you all now take a minute to turn to everyone around you and introduce yourselves and shake hands or give a hug. Welcome each other to Mass!"

Then the feel-good fest would start. I face-palmed like never before the first time I went to that.

Oh, Lord, have mercy....

One thing I never much cared for as a Roman Catholic was the sign of the peace, which often turned into a schmooze fest of people running all over the church to shake hands with their friends. It is good to show fellowship towards one another, but it must be respectful and measured.

The mass is not a social club, or a big hang out. It is a solemn and reverent affair, that must be focused on God first and foremost.