Catholic Churches in Italy Reintroduce Handshakes During Mass

December 5, 2022228 views0

Catholic Churches in Italy Reintroduce Handshakes During Mass

2022-12-05T12:09:02+01:00

By Marie

Recently, the Catholic Churches in Italy have reintroduced handshakes during mass as part of a wider relaxation of anti-Covid-19 measures.The continued loosening of pandemic-era protocols by the church was relayed in a letter from the Italian Bishops’ Conference, publicized by the country’s public broadcaster, RAI, and other Italian media.“It will be possible to restore the usual form of exchanging the sign of peace,” the Italian Bishops’ Conference (CEI) said in a letter to bishops published on its website.Handshakes typically occur with the “sign of peace,” which comes after the Lord’s prayer and before the sacrament of Holy Communion in the Catholic mass.The sign of peace is a rite that is and always has been included in the Mass prior to the Eucharist being distributed to the faithful.During the pandemic, the greeting was prohibited, and last year the CEI partially restored the greeting but only through eye contact or a bow of the head.In its latest advice to bishops, the CEI called for continued precautions, such as inviting the faithful to sanitize their hands upon entering a church.The sign of peace has its liturgical and spiritual roots in Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness before offering gifts on the altar (Mt 5:23-24). That is, if someone had a grievance against his brother, he should first “be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”As Christian worship evolved, the gesture of a “kiss of peace” was a way to unite the community gathered in love and reconciliation.Without being at peace, the community and its members could not fully reflect or live the peace and love of Christ in Eucharist.The “kiss of peace” took on various forms as liturgy developed. Sometimes it involved clergy and congregation, and sometimes only clergy. Today, we know this part of the Mass, placed just after the Lord’s Prayer and a brief invitation by the priest (“Let us offer each other the sign of peace.”), as the sign of peace.ALSO READ Pope Prays for Unity As Italy Welcomes First Female PM