The Jimmy Akin Podcast #067 The Sign of Peace: What Are We Supposed to Do? - Jimmy Akin
24 snips
Jan 19, 2026 Discover the optional nature of the Sign of Peace during Mass and clear up common misconceptions. Explore its rich history, from the early Church to modern practices and potential abuses. Unpack church laws guiding this rite and learn about variations allowed by U.S. bishops. Jimmy offers creative alternatives for expressing peace, including everything from a handshake to a Vulcan salute. Tune in for a thoughtful exploration that balances tradition with personal expression!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
1990s Abuses Prompted Vatican Limits
- In the 1990s some priests turned the sign of peace into a prolonged spectacle, prompting Vatican restrictions to curb horizontalizing the Mass.
- The reforms emphasize keeping the ritual sober and focused vertically on God.
Verbal Exchange Alone Fulfills The Rite
- The essential rite of peace is the verbal exchange: 'The peace of the Lord be with you' and the people's response; that alone fulfills the rite.
- Do not assume an individual exchange is required because the priest only invites it "if appropriate."
Priest Must Generally Stay In Sanctuary
- The priest may give the sign of peace to ministers but must remain within the sanctuary to avoid disrupting the celebration.
- The U.S. adaptation permits the priest to leave the sanctuary only for special, justified occasions.