Michael Brooks
The Sign of Peace is a liturgical action in the Catholic Church where congregants greet one another with a handshake, hug, smile, nod, or a kiss on the lips. It is a spontaneous greeting symbolizing mutual affection, reconciliation, peace, and unity. The Sign of Peace is usually exchanged after the Lord's Prayer/before communion in the Roman Catholic Church or before the bread and wine are brought to the altar in Eastern Rite Catholic and Orthodox churches. The priest extends a greeting of peace to the congregation, and individuals offer the sign of peace to those nearest to them. The Sign of Peace is also known as the Pax or the Kiss of Peace.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Timing | The Sign of Peace is usually exchanged after the Lord's Prayer/before communion in the Roman Catholic Church. In Eastern Rite Catholic and Orthodox churches, it is shared before the bread and wine are brought to the altar. |
| History | The Sign of Peace was originally a kiss on the lips exchanged between Christians whenever they met, including during the liturgy. Over time, this evolved into the use of an object, such as the Paxbrede, which was kissed and passed around, due to social, sexual, and medical concerns associated with kissing. |
| Purpose | The Sign of Peace symbolizes mutual affection, reconciliation, peace, union, and love. It is a blessing that emanates from the consecrated host and is a prayerful act. |
| Expression | The Sign of Peace can be expressed through a handshake, hug, smile, nod, or a verbal greeting such as "Peace be with you." The expression varies according to local customs and culture. |
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What You'll Learn
- The Sign of Peace is a liturgical action and a spontaneous greeting
- It is a symbol of union and love, exchanged according to local custom
- The Sign of Peace is a handshake, hug, smile, nod, or kiss
- It is shared after the Lord's Prayer/before communion in the Roman Catholic Church
- The Sign of Peace is a blessing, emanating from the consecrated host
The Sign of Peace is a liturgical action and a spontaneous greeting
The Sign of Peace is a liturgical action that is a spontaneous greeting. It is a ritual that has been a part of Christian liturgy for hundreds of years, although it was suppressed for much of that time before Vatican II. The Sign of Peace is a gesture of neighbourly love, peace, communion, and charity. It is a symbol of union and reconciliation.
The Sign of Peace is also known as the Pax, derived from the Latin word for peace, or the Kiss of Peace. In the early Church, the Sign of Peace was a kiss on the lips exchanged between Christians whenever they met, and also during the liturgy. However, this practice was replaced in the 13th century, due to concerns about the sexual, social, and medical implications of kissing. Instead, an object, such as the Paxbrede, was kissed and passed along.
The Sign of Peace is typically exchanged after the Lord's Prayer and before Communion in the Roman Catholic Church. In Eastern Rite Catholic and Orthodox churches, it is customary to share the Sign of Peace before the bread and wine are brought to the altar. During Mass, the priest extends a greeting of peace to the congregation and encourages them to offer each other a sign of peace, such as a handshake, hug, smile, or nod. The greeting may vary according to local culture and customs.
The Sign of Peace is a meaningful ritual that serves as a reminder of the presence of Christ in all the faithful and the unity that is found in the bond of peace. It is a prayerful act that establishes an intimate link with the Communion that follows and the forgiveness that it represents.
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It is a symbol of union and love, exchanged according to local custom
The Sign of Peace is a liturgical action that is a spontaneous greeting as a reciprocal token of neighbourly love. Following the Lord's Prayer at Mass, the priest extends a greeting of peace to the congregation, inviting them to offer each other a sign of peace. This is done according to local custom and is a symbol of union and love.
The Sign of Peace is a very ancient rite, so ancient that the Irish word for "kiss", "póg", derives from the Latin "pax" thanks to this ceremony. In the Latin Church, the rite was historically found in two different places. In France and other places, it took place before the Offertory; in Africa and Rome, it took place before Holy Communion, after the Our Father. The Offertory is the offering of a "gift" to God, so this is a chance to renew charity and make ourselves more worthy of making this offering.
The Sign of Peace is a reminder of the words of Jesus Christ: "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you" (John 14:27). It is also a reminder of what we have just prayed in the Our Father: "And forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors" (Matt. 6:12). The rite is also connected with Matthew 5:23-4: "If therefore thou offer thy gift at the altar, and there thou remember that thy brother hath any thing against thee; leave there thy offering before the altar, and go first to be reconciled to thy brother: and then coming thou shalt offer thy gift."
The Sign of Peace is a blessing, emanating from the consecrated host, and has special importance for those who are not receiving Holy Communion. The Pax, or Kiss of Peace, was historically an actual kiss on the lips, exchanged between Christians whenever they met. Over time, this practice was replaced with using an object, such as the Paxbrede, which was kissed by one person after another. Today, the Sign of Peace may be exchanged in various ways, including a hug, handshake, smile, or nod, depending on local custom.
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The Sign of Peace is a handshake, hug, smile, nod, or kiss
The Sign of Peace is a ritual in the Catholic liturgy that is a spontaneous greeting of neighbourly love. It is a symbol of union and love, and an expression of peace, communion, and charity. The Sign of Peace is exchanged after the Lord's Prayer and before communion in the Roman Catholic Church, and before the bread and wine are brought to the altar in the Eastern Rite Catholic and Orthodox churches. Both practices have historical precedence.
The Sign of Peace is not dictated by liturgical norms and can be expressed in various ways, depending on the culture and customs of the people involved. It may be a handshake, hug, smile, nod, or kiss. In the United States, for example, a handshake is the most common way to exchange the Sign of Peace. The greeting is often accompanied by the words, "Peace be with you".
The Sign of Peace is also known as the Pax, derived from the Latin word for "peace", or the Kiss of Peace. In ancient times, the Pax was exchanged as a kiss on the lips between Christians whenever they met, including during the liturgy. However, due to concerns about the sexual, social, and medical implications of kissing, this practice was replaced in the 13th century, particularly between men and women who were often segregated during Mass. Instead, an object, such as the Paxbrede, was kissed by each person in turn, or the priest would kiss the altar or crucifix, symbolising the peace of Christ.
The Sign of Peace is a brief ritual, ending before the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) prayer, and is contained to local persons without travelling around the church. It is a prayerful act, symbolically all-inclusive, and not a time for conversation or the exchange of information.
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It is shared after the Lord's Prayer/before communion in the Roman Catholic Church
The Sign of Peace, or the Pax, is a traditional part of the Roman Catholic Mass. It is shared after the Lord's Prayer and before communion in the Roman Catholic Church, although the timing varies across different denominations. This ancient rite is mentioned in the Bible, where Jesus says, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you" (John 14:27).
The Sign of Peace is a gesture of goodwill and fellowship, and its placement in the Mass is significant. By sharing it after the Lord's Prayer, the faithful are reminded of the prayer's petition, "And forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors" (Matt. 6:12). It is a time to renew charity and make ourselves more worthy of offering gifts to God.
The Sign of Peace is also associated with the unity and reconciliation that the Eucharist brings. As mentioned in Matthew 5:23-24, "If you are offering your gift at the altar ... first, be reconciled with your brother." This highlights that the Eucharist is a symbol of peace and unity among the faithful.
The manner in which the Sign of Peace is exchanged is not dictated by liturgical norms. It can be a hug, handshake, smile, or nod, depending on individual preference and cultural customs. In some early practices, the faithful kissed the host or crucifix, or even kissed each other on the cheek or lips. However, due to concerns about hygiene and social norms, these practices evolved, and alternative objects like the Paxbrede were introduced to be kissed and passed around.
The Sign of Peace is a powerful symbol in the Roman Catholic Mass, reminding the faithful of Christ's presence, mutual love, and the peace that He offers.
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The Sign of Peace is a blessing, emanating from the consecrated host
The Sign of Peace is a liturgical action that is a spontaneous greeting as a reciprocal token of neighbourly love. It is a ritual that has been a part of the Catholic liturgy for centuries. The Sign of Peace is also known as the Pax or the Kiss of Peace.
The Sign of Peace is usually exchanged between the Lord's Prayer and Holy Communion. However, there are variations among different denominations, with some exchanging the sign before the bread and wine are brought to the altar. The greeting is a symbol of union and love and is exchanged according to local customs. It is a prayerful act, a pledge of reconciliation and peace, and an acknowledgement that Christ is present in all the faithful.
The Sign of Peace is a simple gesture, such as a handshake, hug, smile, nod, or a kiss on the lips, exchanged between Christians. It is a brief ritual, contained to local persons, and is not meant to be a time for conversation. The greeting is often accompanied by the words, "Peace be with you," or "The peace of the Lord be with you always," with the response being, "Amen."
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Frequently asked questions
The Sign of Peace is a liturgical action and a spontaneous greeting as a reciprocal token of neighbourly love.
The Sign of Peace, or Pax, is a very ancient rite—so ancient that the Irish word for “kiss,” póg, derives from the Latin “pax”. Initially, the Pax/Kiss of Peace/Sign of Peace was an actual kiss on the lips exchanged between Christians whenever they met.
The Sign of Peace is given after the Lord's Prayer/before communion in the Roman Catholic Church or before the bread and wine are brought forward to the altar during the preparation of the altar in Eastern Rite Catholic churches and Orthodox churches.
The Sign of Peace can be given in many ways, including a hug, handshake, smile, nod, or a wave. The way it is given depends on the individual and local customs.
During the Sign of Peace, one may say, "Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum" (The peace of the Lord be with you always), to which the response is "Et cum spiritu tuo" (And also with you) or Amen.
