Q: Should Applause take place during Mass?No, applause is not proper during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for any reason except at Ordination Masses. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is a solemn occassion, and applause is not proper for the Mass, which is the Sacrifice of Calvary.
Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (future Pope Benedict XVI): "Wherever applause breaks out in the liturgy because of some human achievement, it is a sure sign that the essence of liturgy has totally disappeared and been replaced by a kind of religious entertainment."
Pope St. Pius X: "It is not fitting that the servant be applauded in His Masters House".
Hab. 2:20: "But the Lord is in His holy temple, silence before Him, all the earth!"
Zeph. 1:7: "Silence in the presence of the Lord your God!"
2 comment(s):
While I really dislike applause at Mass saying no in all circumstances is not correct.
In the current Rite of Ordination of Priests. Section 123 has a specific modification for the United States of America:
Bishop:Relying on the help of the Lord God and our Savior Jesus Christ, we choose these, our brothers, for the Order of the Priesthood.
All present say: Thanks be to God.
In the dioceses of the United States of America, all present give their assent to the choice by means of a sung or recited acclamation, such as, Thanks be to God, or by other suitable words. The assent may also be given by means of an action, for example, by applause or by all standing.
Thus in the USA applause is permissive, not prescriptive during ordination Masses.
Great post!
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