In an interview in the Saturday, Nov. 22 issue of the Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, the head of the Vatican's liturgy office said Pope Benedict is considering moving the "kiss of peace" to a spot earlier in the Mass liturgy.
Here's my translation of the interview with Cardinal Francis Arinze, prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments:
"Another point of reflection regards a different location for the sign of peace during the Mass. Often this gesture is not completely understood. One thinks that it is an occasion to shake hands with friends. Instead, it is a way to tell those who are near us that the peace of Christ, truly present on the altar, is also with all people. To create a climate that is more recollected while one prepares for Communion, it's been thought to transfer the exchange of peace to the offertory. The pope has asked for a consultation from the entire episcopate. Then he'll decide."
Here's my translation of the interview with Cardinal Francis Arinze, prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments:
"Another point of reflection regards a different location for the sign of peace during the Mass. Often this gesture is not completely understood. One thinks that it is an occasion to shake hands with friends. Instead, it is a way to tell those who are near us that the peace of Christ, truly present on the altar, is also with all people. To create a climate that is more recollected while one prepares for Communion, it's been thought to transfer the exchange of peace to the offertory. The pope has asked for a consultation from the entire episcopate. Then he'll decide."
