Sign of Peace

[musicus]

...probably it was started but some people carried on the hunt for those they had not already physically grasped.

[John Ainslie]

...and that, historically, has been the problem with the Sign of Peace, i.e. overdoing the hugging - see Jungmann on this. It is why the pax-brede was introduced in England in the Middle Ages so that people wouldn't run the risk of touching each other. (Good, that's got most of you looking up your dictionaries! )

[Nick Baty]

But it led to endless arguments about whose turn it was to bake the pax bread for any particular week and there were issues of status and precedence when touching it. Not that we have such parochial politics in 2009, of course!

[monty]

(Good, that's got most of you looking up your dictionaries! )

Quaint!!!

Googled it - think swine flu.

[presbyter]

see Jungmann on this.

Pre Jungmann but worth a read.

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08663a.htm

[HallamPhil]

Whilst it is true that the 'namaste' sign of peace is particularly prevalent throughout India and elsewhere in liturgical and daily life I still see something very similar exercised between altar servers and priest at every mass after his ablutions or during incensations.

[keitha]

I am told that in some parishes in the Birmingham Archdiocese 'swine flu measures' have been implemented and that people are being asked to make a simple bow of the head to their immediate neighbours as a sign of peace and that this seems to be working pretty well.

[Psalm Project]

In relation to this thread, last Sunday's Gospel (Mark 7:1-8) is ringing loudly in my head - the bit about some of the disciples eating with unclean hands... you all know the story - traditions etc.
Sign of peace... wash your hands! and, don't sneeze at thine neighbour!
In our church we no longer make a big issue about it. We arrive at that moment - a dignified silence is observed and an affirmation of peace is extended - it is dignified - we no longer grope out to our neighbours - many of whom do not like the handshake in the first place. Hmmm. Sometimes the silence is golden! Then, the Agnus Dei beautifully breaks the silence - it is a very prayerful and still moment. For me, at least, it is something positive.

[docmattc]

Its amusing to see spouses and parents/children avoiding contact at the sign of peace for fear of swine flu, but presumably they have ample opportunity to spread disease between themselves at home.

The swine flu moves have certainly made the SoP more dignified and less protracted however.