If you’re happy and you know it…
Something has been bugging me for some time now. The vast majority of Masses I’ve attended in the States have ended with applause. Back in England I encountered this fairly often among non-Catholic congregations, but quite rarely in Catholic parishes.
Here in San Diego I play the guitar in at a LifeTeen Mass and there is applause every week as we finish the final song. Now, there was a time when I wasn’t fussed about the clapping, but now it really rather bothers me…
Mass Entertainment
I guess the first question I have to ask is: for whom are they clapping? It’s ambiguous and that’s part of the problem. While some might say that they are clapping for God, I would suggest that most people would say that they’re expressing their appreciation to the musicians. What makes me say that? It’s my suspicion because I’ve never once heard a round of a applause at the end of a Mass where there has been no music.
While I appreciate the sentiment, I’m not a fan of this. When else do we clap? We clap at concerts and performances. The Mass is not a concert, nor should be a performance. The Mass is about the worship of God. He should be the focus, not the choir, not the musicians. Although the recognition by the congregation is pleasing, I would desire much more that people’s hearts be moved to worship! Thankfully, I’m also not the only one who thinks this:
“Wherever applause breaks out in the liturgy because of some human achievement, it is a sure sign that the essence of liturgy has totally disappeared and been replaced by a kind of religious entertainment. “ – Spirit of the Liturgy p. 198
The quotation is a book by Cardinal Ratzinger, the present-day Pope Benedict. It’s always nice to know that the Pope has your back…
My other concern is for the musicians themselves. If they are being applauded every week there’s a danger that they might start thinking that the Mass is about them and their musical ability. Fortunately, I still make loads of mistakes (especially when trying to play barre chords) so there’s no danger of my falling into that trap anytime soon.
Trying to fixing things
A few months ago I was the only musician at the LifeTeen Mass so I took the opportunity to say the following:
“Often at Mass there is applause at the end for the music group. We appreciate your gratitude, but we would like to keep focus on God so, rather than clapping at the end, just sing your praise loudly to God.”
They still clapped…
UPDATE: I have attempted this three times now and they’ve still clapped every time.
What do you think about clapping at the end of Mass? If you’re a musician who has tried to stop this from happening, how successful have you been?
I don’t clap and try to ignore it if I can. Still it bothers me and I agree fully with you.
At my parish, sometimes the priest saying Mass will thank the alter servers, lectors and Eucharistic ministers (as well as the choir and musicians) for their service just before the closing prayer, and the congregation will break into applause for them, too. It bugs me to no end.
I remember when I was an altar boy being really annoyed if the celebrant remembered to thank everyone except the altar servers! :-V
I took that picture of you ::applause::
Yeah they do that at my parish too. I never know what to do. At another parish, the pianist waits a few seconds after the recessional song, and then plays an instrumental as people are leaving. that has at least shortened the applause. Now that I think of it it’s like doing an encore, haha! Darn…
When I mention this pet peeve of mine to other liturgical musicians they usually express a similar sense of awkwardness or embarrassment at receiving applause.
I think of it as a sign of gratitude for making the service that much more enjoyable. Gratitude is expressed so rarely in today’s society that I find it refreshing when people acknowledge what others have done for them. It wouldn’t be Mass without music – it’s what I enjoyed the most about it when I was younger and kept me coming back. I do understand your position, but to be honest, you sound like a grouch.
It’s a sign of gratitude, but just one that I don’t think fits with the Mass. I’m all for thanking, supporting and encouraging all the different liturgical ministries, I just don’t think applause at the end is the best way to do it.
…and Grumpy was my favourite Dwarf 🙂
There were SIX rounds of applause after Mass today. Clearly *somebody* has a sense of humour…
Perhaps someone was trying to make up for those times you weren’t applauded as an altar server. 😉
I agree with you and would like to see suggestions for stopping this from happening. While visiting my son at Franciscan University of Steubenville, the community knelt after the recession of the priests and prayed for a few minutes before leaving the Church. This is what I would like to see in parishes here in San Diego. Let us give thanks where thanks is due….not to musicians, but to God.
A prayerful atmosphere is much easier to maintain without applause 🙂
Amen!
Thanks Celeste! Welcome to Restless Pilgrim 🙂
well David you know what side my liturgical bread is buttered on but I definitely agree with you on this one. I also think it’s rather rude (and completely confusing) for people to clap when the musican has ASKED them not to clap. I understand showing appreciation, but the applause always takes the focus away from the Mass and makes it as if we just attended a concert. Often a spectacularly beauitful concert, but still…
At least you tried!
You can count on me to NEVER EVER applaud you.
Thanks man, means a lot 😉
well, I know we go to the church to celebrate GOD, I totally agreed, but when I heard the choir my heart rejoice with happiness, how GOD created each individual with talent. once I went to celelbrate with Jehova witness, when they started to sing I felt no rejoyce at all…. I guess because I appreciated that GOD created us with unique abilities. one of them singing, so I appreciate a lot for people to participate and put their talent and give their service to GOD and the community. I’m sure GOD won’t mind for an instant of thankfullness. applaud means we appreciate that you make your time while I can not do the same thing because I don’t know how to sing.
Angelica
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3_J4wQIDEE
“Grazie. Now let us return to prayer”