Move the Sign of Peace at Mass?

By /

Liturgy Mass Question & Answer

First published in 2008 – 

By Michael Austin SJ – One of Pope Benedict’s priorities has been to restore dignity and devotion to the celebration of the liturgy. One of the weaknesses of the Novus Ordo of Paul VI has been the informal and homely exchange of the sign of peace being left in its traditional place immediately before the Lamb of God.

After the Holy, Holy, celebrant and congregation settle down to the solemnity and awe of the Eucharistic Prayer with the words of institution solemnly intoned over the bread and wine. The consecration acclamation expresses both joy and awe in the theological acts of faith sung or said by priest and people. The prayer climaxes in the Great Amen, again sung or said, and then in preparation for receiving Holy Communion all join in the Lord’s Prayer. Throughout this solemn part of the Mass, the thoughts and prayers of all have been directed God-wards.

Since 1969 this recollection and spiritual focus on the Eucharist has been disrupted and the atmosphere of recollection prior to receiving the Body of Christ in Holy Communion has been destroyed by the sudden focus on one’s neighbour in the exchange of the Sign of Peace.

Since my ordination in 1970, I have been involved in university student and school ministry. I have seen how the sacred atmosphere engendered during the Eucharistic prayer that should continue to the reception of Holy Communion has been disrupted by the enthusiastic exchange of greetings at this point. Liturgists remind us that it is a symbolic gesture to be exchanged only with those around one. But how often have we witnessed over-friendly and extrovert celebrants wandering up and down the aisle clasping and hugging the faithful?

In the High Mass of the Tridentine Rite the celebrant turned to the deacon and laid his hands on his shoulders while the deacon touched his elbows and Pax tibi was whispered, followed by the response Et cum spiritu tuo. The deacon in turn, using the same gesture and words, offered the sign of peace to the sub-deacon. And that was the end of the Rite of Peace a solemn and dignified pas de trois limited to the three ministers.

Traditionally in rites of the Eucharist other than the Roman there are three other places assigned for the Sign of Peace: at the end of the Penitential Rite; at the end of the Liturgy of the Word before the commencement of the Liturgy of the Eucharist; and as part of the Dismissal after the final blessing.

I am delighted that Rome has extended to the Novus Ordo the second option. In the booklet Pastoral Introduction to the Order of the Mass published by the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference in January, paragraph # 106 states: It may be fitting to express the sign of peace at this point in the liturgy. When the celebrant has prayed the final prayer of the Prayers of the Faithful, he then leads in with the Prayer for Peace and invites the exchange of a sign. As the note points out, If the peace is exchanged at this point, it is not repeated before the Lamb of God later in the Mass.

My experience as a school chaplain has convinced me of the appropriateness of the sign after the Prayer of the Faithful. The congregation is standing, the celebrant prays the prayer for peace, the sign is exchanged often with gusto by the young then all settle down as the Liturgy of the Eucharist commences and flows through to the distribution of Holy Communion, with thoughts and vision focused on the solemnity and dignity of the Eucharistic Prayer and its action.

In my celebrations of the Mass, I have been locating the Sign of Peace in this prior position and have been gratified that a number of the more observant and perceptive members of the congregation have commented favourably on this location for the reasons outlined above. I recommend it to my fellow priests.

Did you enjoy reading this article or find it helpful? We need your support to continue to bring the Good News to our country, so badly in need of God’s healing hand. Please consider subscribing to The Southern Cross Magazine or becoming a Southern Cross Associate 

Southern Cross
Latest posts by Southern Cross (see all)

Related Posts

Scroll to Top