Pope Benedict is considering tweaking the Catholic Mass to shift the “Peace” — the point in the service where folks greet each other with a handshake or hug, wishing each other “Peace [of the Lord] be with you.”
Arinze told the Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano in an interview published Friday that the pope has asked bishops to express their opinions and will then decide.
Under the change, the sign of peace, which now takes place moments before the reception of communion, would come earlier. Arinze said the change might help create a more solemn atmosphere as the faithful are preparing to receive communion.
Because, of course, heavens forbid that a communal greeting might disturb the mood before going to the communal table.
That said, honestly, I don’t recall where the Peace comes in the Catholic Mass (it’s been a few years). In the Episcopal Mass, we do it at the end of the first have of the service, the Liturgy of the Word, prior to the [announcements and halftime show and] Liturgy of the Eucharist.
So I guess the Pope thinks maybe the Catholic Mass should be more like what we Episcopalians do. 🙂 What next? Female priests?
(via Ginny)