Non Solum: May Liturgical Ministers Smile?

Pray Tell has talked about liturgical presidency and whether our worship is to extroverted.

Today we take up a specific aspect of liturgical ministry: is it OK for celebrants and liturgical ministers to smile and greet others with a nod during liturgical celebrations? Or does this distract from the seriousness and sacred character of worship?

FWIW, here is an excerpt of Pope Francis greeting some of the faithful at Mass in the Philippines right before the opening Sign of the Cross. It is interesting because Francis’s liturgical manner is ordinarily quite serious, even severe. In any event, it was not an infallible papal act.

What do you think about ministers nod and smiling to people, e.g. during the opening procession or at other points in the liturgy? What is appropriate, and what is less appropriate?

Anthony Ruff, OSB

Fr. Anthony Ruff, OSB, is a monk of St. John's Abbey. He teaches liturgy, liturgical music, and Gregorian chant at St. John's University School of Theology-Seminary. He is widely published and frequently presents across the country on liturgy and music. He is the author of Sacred Music and Liturgical Reform: Treasures and Transformations, and of Responsorial Psalms for Weekday Mass: Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter. He does priestly ministry at the neighboring community of Benedictine sisters in St. Joseph.

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20 responses to “Non Solum: May Liturgical Ministers Smile?”

  1. Peter Rehwaldt

    I find it very odd when the visible affect of the worship leaders does not match what is being said or sung.

    At the birth of Christ, the angel told the shepherds “I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people . . .” When the church gathers to proclaim this same good news, it should be done not with an imposed pious solemnity or sternness or impassiveness, but with (as the angel said) great joy.

    In teaching new and experienced preachers, I often record the sermons to be able to play them back in a small group discussion setting. At times, I’ll mute the sound and ask folks to watch the preacher, and raise their hands when they think good news is being proclaimed. With some preachers, it is obvious, but there are also those times when looking at the preacher without the sound would convince you that there is no joy whatsoever in the Gospel of Christ.

    Hearing a minister say “Jesus loves you!” while unsmilingly wagging a finger at you is the very definition of a mixed liturgical message.

    As to the very specific questions at the end of the post, it very much depends on what is going on. A Lenten procession with a penitential hymn being sung is probably not the time for a wide smile, while an Easter procession with a hymn of great celebration that did not have a wide smile would be equally out of place.

    Reply
  2. Theresa Maccarone

    “The disease of the funeral face
    It is the disease of people who are ‘scowling and unfriendly and think that, in order to be serious, they must show a melancholic and strict face and treat others – especially those, whom they think are inferior – with rigidity, harshness and arrogance’. In reality, adds the Pope, ‘theatrical strictness and sterile pessimism are often symptoms of fear and insecurity about themselves. The apostle must strive to be a polite, serene, enthusiastic and joyful person…’. Francis invites people to be full of humour and self-irony; ‘How beneficial a healthy dose of humour can be!'” Pope Francis: the fifteen ‘diseases’ of the Curia.

    I don’t know if I should because I’m no expert on the liturgy or anything else for that matter. But, I always smile at people when I distribute Holy Communion or the Precious Blood during our Eucharistic liturgies. I find that most parishioners smile back at me.

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  3. Karl Liam Saur

    It works with Pope Francis because it’s a counterpoint to his typical liturgical gravitas.

    Funeral faces are not gravitas. They can be as superficial as smiles.

    Reply
  4. Matt Foley

    Smile away! It’s a sign of hospitality as we gather together as a communion of people. The Joy of the Gospel is in action through the liturgy. However, authentic smiles.

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  5. Aaron Sanders

    The Vulgate tells us both gaudete and laetamini, so both inward and outward joy must have a place in the Christian life, but my own experience has conditioned me to believe that the sacred liturgy is a context in which the inward rejoicing of gaudium is far more appropriate than are the outward expressions of laetitia. This is partially because I see a danger of superficially reducing our understanding of joy to something that can only coexist with a beaming smile – perhaps I’m just that odd, but I can certainly experience great joy at the liturgy without outwardly doing much more than slightly upturning the corners of my mouth, and it drives me crazy when I hear someone carp about a liturgy similarly disposed to create that peaceful inward happiness with the facile criticism “but where’s the joy?” Another part of the puzzle, though, is that, now in the case of ministers, smiling or nodding at people in the congregation creates more of a man-man interpersonal encounter, in terms of foregrounding the human individual and his personality, than the man-God encounter facilitated through the prescribed liturgical action.

    That doesn’t mean cracking a smile is always streng verboten – I even allowed one to myself this past Holy Thursday when one of the four bells on the set I was ringing for the Gloria flew right off – but I do see their use more in responding to breakdowns (“yes, we all noticed that odd thing happen,” or “it’s okay, soldier on”) than in adding an otherwise lacking Gospel joy to the celebration.

    Reply
  6. Bruce Janiga

    I once encountered an altar server crying in the sacristy after Mass. When I asked what was wrong her mother told me that someone yelled at her because she was smiling on the altar. I told her that should shouldn’t cry because God wants her to be happy when she is serving.
    Reminded me of this story that pops up on the Web sometimes…

    Last week I took my children to a restaurant. My six-year-old son asked if he could say grace. As we bowed our heads he said, “God is good. God is great. Thank you for the food, and I would even thank you more if Mom gets us ice cream for dessert. And liberty and justice for all. Amen!”

    Along with the laughter from the other customers nearby, I heard a woman remark, “That’s what’s wrong with this country. Kids today don’t even know how to pray. Asking God for ice cream. Why, I never!”

    Hearing this, my son burst into tears and asked me, “Did I do it wrong? Is God mad at me?” As I held him and assured him that he had done a terrific job and God was certainly not mad at him, an elderly gentleman approached the table. He winked at my son and said, “I happen to know that God thought that was a great prayer.”

    “Really?” my son asked.

    “Cross my heart.” Then in a theatrical whisper he added, indicating the woman whose remark had started the whole thing, “Too bad she never asks God for ice cream. A little ice cream is good for the soul sometimes.”

    Naturally, I bought my kids ice cream at the end of the meal. My son stared at his for a moment and then did something I will remember the rest of my life. He picked up his sundae and without a word, walked over and placed it in front of the woman.

    With a big smile he told her, “Here, this is for you. Ice cream is good for the soul sometimes, and my soul is good already.”

    Reply
    1. Lee Bacchi

      @Bruce Janiga:
      Bruce — thanks for a wonderful story. Out of the mouths of babes and little children . . .

      Reply
  7. John Swencki

    Sometimes Catholics look constipated enough at Mass. It’s good to give the impression being with each other and with the Lord brings joy to the soul. It’s even decent evangelization.

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  8. Fritz Bauerschmidt

    How about singing? When I’m ministering the cup, there is sometimes a pause of 15-20-30 seconds between communicants (particularly as we get toward the back pews, since there is an interesting correlation between sitting toward the front and likelihood that one will receive from the cup). During those pauses I join in the communion song, but always feel vaguely guilty, or at least like some people present might think that I’m not supposed to be doing so.

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  9. Lynn Thomas

    A joyful people will smile, and probably often. Surely there are far worse things a person could do than nod in acknowledgement and smile in welcome or joy when encountering our Lord in others. All things in their proper place, of course, and so the Passion reading isn’t a really smiling time, but those moments seem to me the exception, not the rule. Jesus DID specify Good, not Bad, News, after all.

    Please let us not overthink this.

    Reply
  10. Ed Nash

    A smile builds a bridge. A frown builds a weak bridge. If there is joy in your life, inform your face.

    One of the raps against Bergolio as a Cardinal is that he never smiled…now he is too smiley. I wonder what happened.

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  11. Theresa Maccarone

    Ed Nash : A smile builds a bridge. A frown builds a weak bridge. If there is joy in your life, inform your face. One of the raps against Bergolio as a Cardinal is that he never smiled…now he is too smiley. I wonder what happened.

    It’s the Holy Spirit! 🙂

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  12. Shaughn Casey

    I won’t lie; when I receive communion, I’m not even kind of paying attention to what the person administering the sacrament is doing. I’ve been straining trying to remember. Granted, I’m typically kneeling at an altar rail, and so I’d have to go out of my way to find out. I do know many clergy will have a hard time keeping a straight face if there’s a small child being exceptionally cute or goofy, though. Nothing wrong with that.

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  13. Terri Miyamoto

    I always sing when there’s a break between communicants when I minister the cup. I never even thought of feeling guilty. I just hope I don’t mess up the words.

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  14. John Swencki

    “Joy is the serious business of Heaven.” — CS Lewis

    Reply
  15. Norman Borelli

    Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation was called “The Joy of the Gospel.” Why wouldn’t ministers smile?

    Reply
    1. Scott Knitter

      Norman Borelli : Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation was called “The Joy of the Gospel.” Why wouldn’t ministers smile?

      Because joy and smiling aren’t necessarily the same thing nor occur at the same time? I can be joyful behind my resting face. And there’s something cringeworthy about a priest or server pasting on a smile because they think they must. Smile when appropriate and natural. But don’t worry that you’re not smiling enough.

      Reply
  16. John Kohanski

    Let’s just remember, people aren’t always at Mass because they’re joyful. Forcing or requiring one emotion, feeling, etc. on an entire congregation because it’s what we’re “supposed” to do or be, is exactly what’s often railed against as being the problem before Vatican II. Same with singing, or outwardly participating by everyone, having to do the same thing at the same time. Before everyone “did their own thing.” Now no one’s allowed to do anything except in concert with what’s dictated down from those who know best.

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  17. Jim Pauwels

    Smile when smiling is appropriate. If there is some lightheartedness or humor in the homily – smile. If I commit a malaprop while reading the announcements, everyone laughs, and I hope I can laugh right along with them. If I turn around in my pew to offer the sign of peace to the person behind me, and I see it’s an old friend, of course I smile. When I lean in to anoint a baby who is looking up at me, how can I not smile? If a couple getting married can’t smile on their wedding day, then maybe they should rethink the vows.

    And/or, as noted already: smile when the Spirit moves you.

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  18. Paul Inwood

    We’ve all come across Monsignor O’Gloom, for whom salvation is a grim business. His baleful stare across the congregation quells even the happiest spirits into a state of submissive trepidation. In those situations, an open-faced, smiling cantor is a true blessing to the People of God.

    Reply

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