Shaking Hands After Mass
Question from SM on 6/27/2008:
Is it considered rude not to exit through the door where the priest is greeting people after mass, and to not greet him there? I ask because I am a very shy person and usually exit out a side door of the church (with many other people) rather than the main door where Father is greeting people when the mass is over. I want to make sure I'm not doing something wrong -- I'm a convert and would hate to be making a mistake in Catholic etiquette. I also do not want to dishonor the priest. Thank you.
Answer by David Gregson on 8/15/2008:
It's always nice to shake the priest's hand after Mass, however, it wouldn't be practical for everyone to do it, at least in the larger parishes. What I suggest is that you exit at the main door on occasion, and shake his hand then, unless there is a number of people around him, or he is in conversation with someone. There is no need to be shy about it. He will probably just smile and say hello. No further conversation is necessary.
Question from SM on 6/27/2008:
Is it considered rude not to exit through the door where the priest is greeting people after mass, and to not greet him there? I ask because I am a very shy person and usually exit out a side door of the church (with many other people) rather than the main door where Father is greeting people when the mass is over. I want to make sure I'm not doing something wrong -- I'm a convert and would hate to be making a mistake in Catholic etiquette. I also do not want to dishonor the priest. Thank you.
Answer by David Gregson on 8/15/2008:
It's always nice to shake the priest's hand after Mass, however, it wouldn't be practical for everyone to do it, at least in the larger parishes. What I suggest is that you exit at the main door on occasion, and shake his hand then, unless there is a number of people around him, or he is in conversation with someone. There is no need to be shy about it. He will probably just smile and say hello. No further conversation is necessary.
Growing up before Vatican II, one knew a Protestant service because of the minister greeting people at the end of their services.
ReplyDeleteTo this day I think of this and treat this as a Protestant act not a Roman Catholic one and make a point of avoiding it.
The priest as "pastor" is shepherd of his flock. He may not know all members of his parish or get to meet them on a regular basis. I think it's lovely that people can meet Father after Mass, shake his hand perhaps, comment on the sermon or liturgy, etc. and speak with him briefly. When I was a child in our French parish, people would often KISS the hand of our Catholic priest when meeting him, and he would bless them. Orthodox Christians still have this custom. They revere the hand that brings them Christ in the Eucharist. Today we show respect to one another by shaking hands. It is NOT just a Protestant thing.
ReplyDeleteWhat about shaking his hand after putting holy water on your hand?
ReplyDelete