Peace be with you?
Question: One thing at Mass that I find really difficult is
the "Sign of Peace". How come we do this?
Dear Inquirer,
 There
is no better way to describe the custom of exchanging the greeting of
peace at Mass than the words of St. Augustine in the 4th century: "After
the Lord's Prayer, say 'Peace be with you.' Christians then embrace
one another with a holy kiss. This is the sign of peace."
In
the primitive church at Rome and in the Eastern Church, the kiss
of peace was offered after the first part of the Mass and before the
Eucharistic Prayer. Early baptismal documents also indicate that the
exchange of peace was reserved only for the 'faithful,' and so catechumens
were dismissed before the Prayer of the Faithful, which was followed
by the Kiss of Peace.
In
the Western Church the sign of peace was moved quite early to where
it is as Augustine described it and where it is today. The Western Church
saw a close link between peace and communion--peace with one another
before receiving the Prince of Peace.
In
the Middle Ages the laity were excluded from the sign of peace and
it was then dropped altogether from the Mass; the only remnant of the
rite was the action of the priest kissing the altar. Vatican II restored
the ancient rite of peace to all who participate at mass.
Custom
dictates how the kiss of peace is exchanged in each country: a handshake,
an embrace, words of peace, or other actions. In Japan, for example,
the celebrant bows deeply to the congregation who in turn bow towards
him and then bow respectfully to one another. It is a sign that works
well in their culture. How the sign of peace is given will vary, but
its meaning remains the same.
|
