Mags GarganDear Editor, The Irish way of doing things is not the universal way, and the Vatican is right to insist that the universal rules about the sign of peace be properly followed.
When I attended Mass in Bangkok, the congregation greeted each other with a ‘wai’ – that is by raising their joined hands to their face. They did not shake hands, or even touch each other.
It’s important, too, to point out that the sign of peace is not mandatory. The priest may choose to include it in the Mass or not. But it is tendentious and incorrect to suggest that, during the Last Supper, Christ behaved like a priest leaving the altar (Letters, August 21).
He celebrated his last meal (cena in Latin) in Jerusalem with his brothers (cum fratribus), the apostles and the forerunners of our bishops. In the same way as bishops and priests might traditionally all be in the sanctuary for Mass and offer one another the kiss of peace, he greeted them. He didn’t leave the upper room to greet the people outside!
Yours etc.,
Kieron Wood,
Rathfarnham,
Dublin 16.