The Sign of Peace at Mass (Catholic): Its Meaning and Biblical Roots

Just before Communion, the priest says "The peace of the Lord be with you always" and invites the faithful, "Let us offer each other the sign of peace" — a sign the Church asks be given "in a sober manner" and offered to those nearest (GIRM 82). In this session of The Mass Explained, Dr. Brant Pitre traces this "peace" to Jesus' gift at the Last Supper — "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you" (John 14:27) — and to the risen Christ's Easter greeting, "Peace be with you" (John 20:21), along with the ancient "holy kiss" of St. Paul (1 Corinthians 16:20) and the kiss of peace already described by St. Justin Martyr in the second century. He explains why the Roman Rite places the sign of peace here, after the Consecration and just before Communion: St. Innocent I says the peace comes after the sacred mysteries as the people's "consent" to all that has taken place, and St. Thomas Aquinas calls it a preparation for Communion, "the sacrament of unity and peace" — echoing Jesus' command to be reconciled with your brother before offering your gift at the altar (Matthew 5:23–24).

Key passages & sources examined: "Let us offer each other the sign of peace" and the "sober manner" (Order of Mass 126–128; GIRM 82); "my peace I give to you" (John 14:27); reconciliation before the altar (Matthew 5:23–24); the "holy kiss" (1 Corinthians 16:20; Romans 16:16); St. Justin Martyr on the kiss of peace; and St. Thomas Aquinas on the peace as preparation for Communion (Summa Theologiae III, q. 83).