It happens at every Novus Ordo Mass following the conclusion of the Lord’s Prayer. The priest says, “Let us offer each other the sign of peace” (or some variation of this). And so we do.
Prior to Covid, the sign of peace often meant shaking hands with those around you. Today, however, the Sign of Peace is usually a friendly wave or merely a raised hand. Sometimes it’s a simple nod of the head or even the old hippie peace sign mimicking the “V” for victory sign. But husbands and wives, and sometimes parents and children will exchange a kiss.
But just what is “the Sign of Peace” that we are supposed to offer one another?”
The 1970 Roman Missal
According to the 1970 Roman Missal (pg. 15), “All make an appropriate sign of peace, according to local custom.” Note too, that the 1970 Roman Missal still has the Latin on the left and the English translation on the right. Somewhat odd considering the Mass is supposed to be said in the vernacular.
Regardless, “the Sign of Peace” is open to custom and interpretation. Only one thing is really certain. Offering one another a sign of peace has become obligatory. It’s a standard thing at every Mass – even though it is optional.
Some 30 years after the 1970 Roman Missal was promulgated, the “General Instruction of the Roman Missal” (GIRM), was “canonically approved for use by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops on November 12, 2002.” It says that at a Mass without a deacon, following the Lord’s Prayer, 154 “Afterwards, when appropriate, the priest adds, Offerte vobis pacem (Let us offer each other the sign of peace)” [emphasis added]. This language is repeated in instruction 181 for Masses with a deacon.
So the sign of peace is definitely an option. But it is also a bit confusing.
In the first place I’ve never heard a priest say “Offerte vobis pacem” at a Novus Ordo Mass. Why the use of Latin in an instruction on how to say the Mass in English?
And secondly, why doesn’t the GIRM spell out what is “the sign of peace?” The instruction does not have the priest saying offer each other “a” sign of peace, even though this is what many priests do say. The instruction clearly says “the” sign of peace. So what gives here? What is THE sign of peace according to local custom in the U.S?
According to Local Custom
The answer is there is no local custom in the U.S. for the sign of peace. The only sign of peace custom we might have may go back to the days of the Wild West. An open, raised right hand signified that “I bear no weapon. I come in peace.” So why aren’t we offering this as the sign of peace at Mass?
We could, of course, look to Our Lord and Savior for some help here.
In Greek Orthodox iconography Christ is often depicted with His right hand raised, His thumb touching His ring finger, with His little finger and middle finger bent and his index finger pointing up to heaven. This gesture“ actually shapes the letters IC XC, an abbreviation for the Greek words Jesus (IHCOYC) Christ (XPICTOC) which includes the first and last letter of each word. The hand that blesses reproduces, with gestures, the Name of Jesus, the “Name above every name.”
So we could use this gesture. But we don’t.
The early Church didn’t have such problems. The sign of peace was a kiss. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “1345 As early as the second century we have the witness of St. Justin Martyr for the basic lines of the order of the Eucharistic celebration.” It then quotes from a letter St. Justin wrote to the pagan emperor Antoninus Pius: “ . . . When the prayers are concluded we exchange the kiss.”
The Catholic Encyclopedia explains that “the kiss” is the “the kiss of peace.” So why aren’t we all kissing one another for the sign of peace?
Variation and Adaptations
My guess is the consilium of liturgists who put together the 1970 Missal probably decided that instructing those in the congregation to give one another the kiss of peace was a bridge too far. Someone probably said, “Hey, I got it! Let’s say the sign of peace should be given according to local custom! There. Problem solved!”
As with so much in the Novus Ordo Mass, in general, and in the GIRM, as Pope Paul VI said in Missale Romanum, room was left “for legitimate variations and adaptations.” But just how a set of instructions that leaves room for different variations and adaptions makes for a universal, unifying Mass is a bit mysterious. Pope Francis, however, seems to think a Mass that leaves plenty of room for variations and adaptations will be unifying.
But, sometimes, as Pope Francis himself is so fond of saying, reality is greater than ideas. The idea that restricting the use of the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM) will bring unity is a bad idea. The reality is that this idea is creating dissension rather than unity. Traditionis Custodes was not a good idea.
Why restrict the TLM when the Armenian Rite, the Greek (Byzantine) Rite, the Maronite Rite, the Chaldean Rite, the Coptic Rite, and even the Zairian Rite are not restricted? The unity of the Catholic Church is that it is the Body of Christ. It is not in the form of the Mass.
Some people like the Novus Ordo Mass while some prefer the TLM. Others prefer one of the forms of the Mass mentioned above. This is all fine and good. Sometimes you feel like a nut. Sometimes you don’t.
The TLM was Not Abrogated
A recent CS article asked the question, “Is one form of Mass better than another?” It also answered the question: “No, and that is okay. Each form of the mass is Catholic, focusing on the Eucharist.”
I wish someone would let Pope Francis know that Sacrosanctum Concilium says, quite clearly, “4. Lastly, in faithful obedience to tradition, the sacred Council declares that holy Mother Church holds all lawfully acknowledged rites to be of equal right and dignity; that she wishes to preserve them in the future and to foster them in every way.”
Maybe those Catholics who still prefer the TLM should write a letter to Pope Francis expressing their sadness over Traditionis Custodes. He lives at Casa Santa Martha instead of staying in the papal apartment. His address there is:
His Holiness, Pope Francis
Saint Martha House
00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City
Just be advised the cost of the letter could be around $2 U.S.
16 thoughts on “The Sign of Peace and the Traditional Latin Mass”
This is incredibly sad. Jesus emphasized loving one another, obviously. Saint Paul wrote endlessly about petty food fights amongst the faithful and Jesus battled the Pharisees over their myopic devotion to ceremony to the detriment of true faith. This instinct to recoil against your brothers whom you are commanded to love is alarming. The entire point of the Lord’s Supper is gathering in imitation of the last supper, according to the Lord’s wish.
The Sign of Peace offers a moment of connection during Mass, though its form has evolved. It’s a break from focused prayer, a little like pausing Snow Rider 3D mid-run. But what is this gesture we share after the Lord’s Prayer? Is it merely a formality, or something deeper? Perhaps understanding its origin can enhance its meaning, transforming a wave into a genuine expression of goodwill. Let’s explore its significance and rediscover its purpose within the liturgy.
How can we receive Jesus in the Eucharist if we first don’t greet Him in those standing near us? Jesus is present in four ways at Holy Mass: Eucharist, Word, the priest as celebrant and the faithful gathered.
Five times in the NT: “greet one another with a holy kiss” (Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:26; 1 Peter 5:14). May we open our minds and hearts to the new commandment of love. It is all about love.
You are right in that the Eucharist is the ‘source and summit’ of the Mass. The Mass is and has always been a bloodless reenactment of Christ’s sacrifice on Cavalry. We go to Mass to worship God. It is incongruous to take a break during our worship of God to say ‘hi’ to our neighbors.
The author asks, “Why restrict the TLM when the Armenian Rite, the Greek (Byzantine) Rite, the Maronite Rite, the Chaldean Rite, the Coptic Rite, and even the Zairian Rite are not restricted?”
Maybe it’s because none of those communities is rife with sedevacantists and endless howling about how the Novus Ordo Mass isn’t valid or licit.
The small fraction of a percent of Catholics who may be sedevacantists “howling about how the Novus Ordo Mass isn’t valid or licit” hardly poses any kind of threat to Catholicism or to Rome. I am not a sedevacantist and I believe, like probably 99.9% of Catholics that the Novus Ordo is both valid and licit. I just prefer the TLM, as do many others, to the Novus Ordo. In my opinion, shared by many others, Benedict got it right. Francis made a mistake.
Not all Novus Ordo / Ordinary Form Masses use the sign of peace.
An Example is, San Secondo D’Asti Parish, Diocese of San Bernardino, California.
All daily and Sunday Masses are said ad-orientem from a High Altar.
Two of the fives Sunday masses are Traditional Latin masses.
Diocesan priest staff the parish. At present, visiting priest say the Latin mass
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Chris Topher, TY-made me think: the absolute worst is when someone in the very first pew has waved to a gazillion friends and then spots one near the back of the church and remains facing the rear, back to the altar, until said friend finally notices cheerleader in front of church-and then a joyous waving ensues with mouthed “Peace.” Then one last check around the whole congregation and cheerleader turns back to God. She won: waved more waves to more people than the runner up next to her. Alleluia! Guy, Texas
“[the] sign of peace has become obligatory….even though it is optional”
The wonderful logic of Catholicism.
In any case a kiss is gay and unacceptible in American society. Just drop the kiss and the sign both. Just being in the church in the sign anyway.
No. A kiss isn’t “gay”. Although, not wanting to extend Christ’s Peace to your brothers in Christ is quite weird.
Dear Gene, Many thank-this lays it out. I have more often than not, in many parishes, seen the Novus Ordo used to pervert the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and make it into a happy-clappy-let-us-now-worship-ourselves fun fest, complete with master of ceremonies [so many of whom later turned out to be criminals]. The “kiss” takes our minds away from Jesus – whose body and Blood, soul and Divinity just became present on the altar thru the miracle of the Mass. “Hey, folks, stop looking at the altar or up to heaven and let’s have a joyful high 5 for all of US.!” You are correct-no one has ever specified what the “sign” is. My sign, very peaceful: I fold my hands, cast by closed eyes down, and remain motionless until the cacophony of self-worship ceases. Often-it is impossible to wait out some who insist on casting their gaze all around the church and waving to numerous friends, not matter where they are in the congregation- continuing to do this as the Agnus Dei is recited or sung. I just attended a high Latin Mass last nite – and I will take the “Pax Vobiscum” “et cum Spiritu tuo” any day over the “sign.” I have heard that one [more?] parish does the “kiss” before Mass begins. Offends the silence due to Our Lord in the tabernacle, but does not stop us praying and adoring after the consecration. Guy, Texas
holocausts and peace offerings Guy took no delight in
The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.
This I command you: love one another.
BTW: Wave offerings are acceptable to the Lord. Leviticus 23:11
As a single person who now mostly works at home, the sign of peace can be the only time all week for human interaction. I’m used to families hugging each other and ignoring me; I’m used to others waving at their friends across the church and ignoring me. You can’t at least make eye contact with me, soberly nod your head and say “peace be with you”?
Shame on you, Guy. I thought you were a better person.
This is responding to Larry:
…Where do you sit when you go to Mass? If you dislike the sign of peace for its superficiality in relation to others, as I do, sit in the front or second pew. There will be few others there, and you don’t have to trouble yourself by turning your head to make eye contact with anyone. It works great and doesn’t disturb your focus on that part of the mass.
Your refusal to do the Novus Ordo sign of peace honors the spirit of the TLM. Plus, you will come into other insights in the first pew position.