re: The New GIRM
Mr. Slavek: In regard to your reply on 5-7-04 the question I had regarding the Sign of Peace (or the KOP). I didn't quite get my question answered. Actually what I am looking for are the exact Rubrics that a priest is to following when saying Mass. I would like to know if the KOP is optional or not. If it is optional, where does it state that a priest "may" (which I would understand it would be up to the priest to exchange the KOP if that word is used) ask for all to exchange a sign of peace? Where would I be able to find the exact Rubrics that a priest should following?
QUESTION from Charles on May 18, 2004
Thanks and God Bless
ANSWER by Mr. Jacob L. Slavek on May 23, 2004
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Dear Charles, I'm sorry that I misunderstood your first question. I'm happy to try again. I tried to access the new GIRM at the link you provided (usccb) but many of the links did not work. I think you may have had the same problems. Anyway, I happen to have a hard copy of the new GIRM so I looked it up. Tell your pastor that it's all right, the sign of peace for all may be omitted. He's probably looking under the section for concelebrated Masses in which all priests make the sign of peace. No. 154, for Masses with a congregation, states that "The priest may add" and in the next paragraph "The priest may give the sign of peace". This instruction is also found in the rubrics. So for your high school student Masses in which the sign of peace becomes a circus, is should definitely be omitted. Doing so would be consistent with liturgical law. Mr. Slavek |