Should I shake hands at church?

Question

hi everybody,

this isn't exactly a good question, but i need to know if this is the right thing to do. i am catholic. when asked to shake hands with other members of the church by the priest (peace be with you), i feel uncomfortable shaking hands with other people. they could be sick, possibly wiping their hands on their nose. is this wrong? also, i am not a germaphobic...

Answer 1

I don't like shaking hands either. Especially during flu season. Hand to hand contact is known to spread germs and lots of people know it.

You might consider asking the priest to mention this issue publicly and request that people who have colds and flu and those who don't wish to have colds and flu abstain from the handshake. People will understand.

Answer 2

Hi I am in the youth group at church and we usually come down to the main church for communion with the others (we sometimes have are own service aimed more at people who are around 15-18) But we all hate the hand shaking peace be with you stuff that we try and be a bit late and skip that bit, it takes ages in are church as there are so many people over 400 and everyone wants to start having conversations! I just don't really like shaking peoples hands as I don't really feel comfortable with it sometimes as I don't know a lot of people in the church. But I just grin and bear it, not sure what you can do as it is part of the communion, sometimes I just stand their and don't look at anyone but teenagers can get away with this a bit more ;-) Hope this helps xxxxxx

Answer 3

during that time the priest says - let us offer each other a SIGN of peace. not - shake the hands of everyone around you, walk all over the church, stand on the kneeler and give the peace symbol.... you sign of peace might be to turn to your neighbor, smile and say -peace be with you or may the Peac of Christ be with you....

i'm very cautious during the winter in particular. this is silly but -- when i cough it's on ly my left hand or scratch my head or whatever - this way my right hand is still clean from having washed them before mass ; ) there have been times when, in the inter city church, i was a little apprehensive and have been met with the hand of a homeless person - and you could feel the love radiating - you can tell when looking at a person and sharing in the beauty of mass just what type of "sign of peace" you should offer.....
actually - it IS a good question!!!

Answer 4

Funny question. Don't rub YOUR eyes or YOUR nose. Getting a virus transferred to your hand isn't enough to give you diddly. Pretty much that holds true for any public setting, even the airport.

And, yeah, that Purell stuff is okay too but god almighty it looks anal (yeah, I've seen parents using that stuff with kids but that's because they have not discipline and just don't "get" the disease transmission thing - kids have an excuse, adult's don't).

Answer 5

If this makes you uncomfortable ware gloves or carry a little bottle of Purell (sorry if I spelled that wrong) with you.

Answer 6

You can't be antisocial in a social environment because you fear germs.

Just cary a little bottle of hand sanitizer and clean your hands after you're done greeting people.

Answer 7

only fear you should have is the fear of the Lord, it's called greeting and loving thy neighbor, only way you are gonna get closer to loving like Jesus loves is to socialize, we as christians are to edify others and help build them up and to do these things you most likely will have to greet people, its only church and just pray after leaving church and ask God to rid your body of any sickness or disease...."for by Christ stripes we are healed"...........

Answer 8

No, you should only sniff butts!!