Pax tecum!
Dear Parishioners,
God bless you for your love and the warm reception you have given me. I am grateful to you and to God for sending me here and I ask his help so I can be the shepherd he wants me to be. It came to my attention the day after I arrived that I had reintroduced the sign of peace at Mass the evening before. I hope that is ok with everyone. I didn’t know that you hadn’t been doing that. I know that in many parishes there are those who really like the sign of peace and others that feel less comfortable or who feel more devotion when the sign of peace is omitted. As a matter of fact, the rubrics in the missal indicate that the priest may invite everyone to offer peace “if appropriate” (pro opportunitate). I usually invite or have the deacon invite those who wish to exchange peace to do so. Here are some thoughts that can help everyone take advantage of this moment at Mass. The sign of peace, like the rest of the Mass, is part of our ritual participation. In other words, it is part of our prayer of the Mass. Under the older form of the Mass this was initiated by the celebrant who would give the “kiss of peace” to the deacon at solemn Mass. This consisted of a sort of liturgical embrace where the priest would put his hands on the deacon’s shoulders, lean forward slightly and say in his left ear: “peace be with you”. The deacon would reply: “and with your spirit”. The deacon would then give peace in the same way to the subdeacon and other clergy at the altar. Even today, in the present form of the Mass the sign of peace is meant to be a symbolic and ritual gesture signifying that the peace of Christ is given to us all starting from the altar of sacrifice. Understanding this helps us understand its liturgical meaning and placement in the Mass before we receive Jesus, the source of that peace, in Communion. It can also help us avoid making this moment one of distraction for us and for others. The best way to participate in this liturgical gesture is to give or receive peace with one or more persons near you at Mass, by saying “Peace be with you”, or simply “Peace”, and responding “and with your spirit” or “and also with you”. It’s ok to make an effort to share this sign with a good friend, loved one, or someone you want to greet, but it’s important to remember that this is not a time to share greetings or conversation that interrupt the prayer of the Mass. Nor is it a time to greet and wave to everyone in church. In giving or receiving the kiss of peace, I am sharing that one peace with the whole congregation, parish and Church. We are one in the peace of Christ in that gesture, even if we haven’t physically exchanged that gesture with everyone present. Sometimes it can even be helpful to exchange peace with someone you don’t really know or are not very friendly with. In English speaking countries it is customary to shake hands during this sign, but some may simply prefer to smile or bow slightly. More explanation can be found in the circular letter entitled Pacem relinquo vobis published by the Congregation for Divine Worship (Prot. N. 414/14) which can be found here: https://www.usccb.org/about/divine-worship/newsletter/upload/newsletter-2014-07-and-08.pdf.
The peace of Christ be with you all!
Fr. Timothy
Saint James Catholic Church 