When we priests correct people for carrying on a conversation or giving applause in church, they will often say: “Father is old fashioned, he needs to get with the times.

On a few occasions, Pope Benedict wrote about the unsuitable practice of applause in church. It also happened that St. John XXIII spoke on this issue. One day, when Pope John was visiting a church, the people began to shout and broke out in applause as he entered the church. Upon arriving at the throne, the Holy Father said:

“I am very glad to have come here. But if I must express a wish, it is that in church you not shout out, you not clap your hands, and you not greet even the Pope, because ‘templum Dei, templum Dei.’ (“The temple of God is the temple of God.”) Now, if you are pleased to be in this beautiful church, imagine how happy the Pope is to see his dear children. But as soon as he sees his good children, he certainly does not clap his hands in their faces.”

H/T to my friend Fr. Jarabek!

Watch the video of the event.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGbsVGrtN68

There is also the last public Mass of Pope Benedict XVI. After Cardinal Bertone’s message of thanksgiving for the service of Pope Benedict, the congregation wen into a very long and spontaneous applause and shouting in the background. The Holy Father gave a very sting message by his silence and finally asked everyone: “Thank you, thank you, let us return to prayer.” You can see this moment at 6:42

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGsdF1nOxnY