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Question Title Posted By Question Date
sign of peace Claire Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Question:

Hello Mr. J. Slavek,

Someone brought up a very good question and I was hoping you may be able to answer it.

When was the sign of peace established in our Mass, and what is the history of this gesture?

I know in the New Testament Christians greeted one another with a "kiss", and many places in Scripture "go in peace" was said.

Did the early Church use any such gesture in Mass?

And if so, when and why was it omitted later, then used again? I am glad to offer one another the sign of peace.

thank you so much and God bless,

peace of Christ,

claire
Question Answered by Mr. Jacob Slavek

Dear Claire,

There is an article on this subject in the Catholic Encyclopedia, under the title "Kiss".  Here's a link:

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08663a.htm

In summary, the Kiss of Peace existed in some form since the very beginning, becoming part of the Liturgy in the early centuries.  Because of abuses, sometime in the twelfth or thirteenth it become much more regulated until finally it was exchanged individually only by the clergy.  The article doesn't say exactly at what date this began, but of course we know that it continued up until after the reforms of Vatican II, when the option was made available of the entire congregation exchanging the sign with one another.

Hope this helps, and please see the article for a much more detailed explanation of the history.

Mr. Slavek
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