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A round of applause in church can express the unity of the people, the
greatness of God, and the enthusiasm which underlies our faith.
Applause entered Catholic tradition with apprehension. For hundreds of years,
many Catholic assemblies did not even sing, much less applaud in
church. People attended Mass as a collective private prayer. Choirs and
clergy made all the noise. Now all the parts of the Mass are distributed
among those who attend, and the people of God have a responsibility to
express their faith in word, action, and song.
Applause also carried secular connotations. Since we weren't applauding in
church, the primary place to experience the sound was in the field of
public entertainment, sport, and celebrity. Applause would run contrary to
the efforts of common prayer if it reduced the activity to something we
came to observe for fun.
Gradually, though, applause has found a fitting place within our worship. In
fact, the rite for the ordination of a priest invites the people to give
their assent to the choice of these candidates for service "according to
local custom." Well, everybody applauds. The action celebrates God's choice,
the church's unity, and the candidate's spiritual <->discernment.
Other occasions merit the same response. Applause can often be heard in
support of a newly married couple. It congratulates a couple on their
anniversary for the witness they give the community. It affirms a homily. It
rejoices with children on their first communion day. It thanks a choir for
uplifting our hearts in prayer.
Applause serves best when it expresses our unity in faith. It ultimately is
directed toward God, the creator of all, the one responsible for all human
accomplishment. It does with our hands what we do with our voices whenever
we shout praise.
"Clap your hands, all you peoples," acclaims Psalm 47. "Shout to God with
loud songs of joy."
Copyright
© 1998, Resource Publications, Inc. 160 E. Virginia St. #290, San
Jose, CA 95112, (408) 286-8505. This article may not be reproduced in any
form without permission from the publisher. For permission e-mail
info@rpinet.com.
Paul
Turner, pastor of St. Munchin Parish in Cameron, MO, holds a doctorate
in sacramental theology from Sant' Anselmo University in Rome. |
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