Greeting a Priest

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In the traditional Latin rite, how does a lay person greet a priest?

In the various Eastern Christian traditions, the lay person kisses the priest’s hand, or asks for a blessing first and then kisses the priest’s hand.

Does this or any similar practices exist in any Catholic countries?
 
Traditionally, in some areas, one would genuflect when meeting a priest, on the off chance that he was carrying a Host for someone who was homebound. Others would kiss their hand, or ask for a blessing (in which case one would also genuflect). This is never done anymore, anywhere. Perhaps you might kiss the hand of a priest at an FSSP Mass, or some very traditional EFs offered at regular parishes, but in large part you greet a priest like anyone else, just say ‘Father’ after it. ‘Good day, Father’, etc.
 
Kissing the hand of a priest is an excellent, if slightly odd practise. Would be strange doing it these days, and I’d feel weird doing it but I think it should be brought back!

But still, that would make us lay people think he was some kind of superhuman holy man or something…
 
In the Latino culture it is still common practice to kiss the hand of a priest…I don’t know how well received it would be by some priests today…I hope I am wrong, but I suspect some wouldn’t like it
 
It was kind of from latino culture I heard about it.
I don’t blame priests for feeling funny about it though. It just seems like a nice but quaint gesture these days. No great loss, I’m sure there are other things we’ve lost in the past, such as snogging a priest when you meet him or something.
 
Are you asking because you are unsure of what to do?

The only greeting I have ever seen is a hand shake or hug, and whatever verbal greeting is appropriate. I don’t think there is any strict protocal these days. I take my cue from the priest and whether I know him or not. I wouldn’t hug a priest I just met but my current pastor hugs all the time. I have spent time working with and getting to know this priest and the greeting is almost like family. Friendly, personal and sincere. I always address a priest as “Father or Father ----”

Peace.
 
Madaglan said:
In the traditional Latin rite, how does a lay person greet a priest?

In the various Eastern Christian traditions, the lay person kisses the priest’s hand, or asks for a blessing first and then kisses the priest’s hand.

Does this or any similar practices exist in any Catholic countries?
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The faithful take the priest’s hand and bow a little from the waist to kiss it (rather than raise the priest’s hand). This is a sign of respect - to kiss the hand that gives you the Body of Christ.

This is what our priest told us when we asked.
 
My question would be how does a priest greet a priest in the traditional sense? I rarely get to see my parish priests interact, but when I do, what I’ve found to be common was the same as laity. They just call each other Father. How’s it work “traditionally”?
 
I said ‘good morning’ to a priest yesterday, without calling him, ‘father’, and felt bad immediately afterward. It felt disrespectful.
 
I have always greeted priest with a regular greeting. However a group of seminarians from my archdiocese, including my self, continue the tradition of kissing the archbishop’s ring when greeting him, as well as using the proper title “your excellency”.
 
Oh my goodness … I’ve greeted our priest many times by just saying, “Good morning” or, “Hi! How are you?” Other times, though, I’ve said, “Good morning, Father!” Now I feel so badly for all the times that I have never said “Father” after it!!! 😦 😦 I will make it a point to do that.

I had my RCIA Rite of Acceptance yesterday, and it was AMAZING. So beautiful. I had the urge to give our priest a big hug, but I figured that it’s probably not acceptable/appropriate/allowed to do that! I know that a handshake is acceptable, of course. I have seen, though, older ladies in our parish offer him a handshake and then lean in to kiss his cheek. And I have seen a few, but only just a few times, give him a regular hug. But I would be so nervous to do that, thinking that I was doing something wrong!
 
lisanne75 said:
Oh my goodness … I’ve greeted our priest many times by just saying, “Good morning” or, “Hi! How are you?” Other times, though, I’ve said, “Good morning, Father!” Now I feel so badly for all the times that I have never said “Father” after it!!! 😦 😦 I will make it a point to do that.

I had my RCIA Rite of Acceptance yesterday, and it was AMAZING. So beautiful. I had the urge to give our priest a big hug, but I figured that it’s probably not acceptable/appropriate/allowed to do that! I know that a handshake is acceptable, of course. I have seen, though, older ladies in our parish offer him a handshake and then lean in to kiss his cheek. And I have seen a few, but only just a few times, give him a regular hug. But I would be so nervous to do that, thinking that I was doing something wrong!
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Once again that’s where Latino (and Mexican-American, in particular, and Tejano even more particular) differ from Anglo culture. Down here in South Texas, it would not be unusual to give Father an abrazo (hug) as if he were a member of the family. And the priest would more than likely hug back.

It is also Mexican custom (not Mexican-American) to refer to a Deacon as “Padresito” (Little Father).
 
Colin_Adian said:
I have always greeted priest with a regular greeting. However a group of seminarians from my archdiocese, including my self, continue the tradition of kissing the archbishop’s ring when greeting him, as well as using the proper title “your excellency”.
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WOAH.

The Y’s at the beginning and the end of “your excellency” stunned my brain for a minute.
 
It may also vary from culture to culture. A culturaly traditional greeting for elders would be appropriate for the priest.
 
As long as you don’t say “thanks sir” as I heard a teenager say the other day as I was leaving to greet Father and say my goodbye.
 
My rule is only to embrace a priest who I knew before he was a priest. As an example, my dear Italian friend (who I learned to love deeply and hug when I meet) will become a priest soon enough. I think it is right and just to continue hugging him as a friend. This rule would not apply to a priest who I met as a priest, of course. 🙂
 
I would not recommend kissing the hand of a priest by way of greeting him, in this day and age. It is an antiquated and culturally-specific gesture unknown in contemporary anglophone societies. If you greet a priest in this way he will surely imagine that you are some sort of cooky wingnut.

In our culture, only bishops or other ring-wearing prelates are normally greeted with a baciamano. Even in the case of prelates, however, the gesture is no longer common; a simple handshake is the norm, today. In most cases, it would be considered a bit excessive and theatrical to greet one’s local ordinary in this fashion. I say in most cases. If your local ordinary happens to be a cardinal, it becomes rather less unusual. Cardinals’ rings are still frequently kissed.
 
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