Hands on penitent's head for absolution

[FrancescaMaria]

Several years ago, a priest put both of his hands on my head during the words of absolution. It was very meaningful to me and I literally felt like the Lord had just touched my heart. Furthermore, it triggered a profound spiritual experience for me and conversion, my faith was not the same afterwards, and I have been regularly confessing ever since and going to daily mass (when I can). Very few priests put their hands on the penitent like that, but when it occasionally does happen, I consider it a special gift. Upon reading about this gesture, I found out that the laying on of hands used to be an established and standard part of the sacrament until the late Middle Ages. Does anyone know why it was stopped and almost disappeared? I understand that it is impossible in a confession when there is a screen or a barrier, but why not in a face to face situation? Also, if there are concerns that some penitents would not be comfortable, the priest could always ask. Any thoughts on that? Anyone has similar feelings about it?

 

[twf]

In the Byzantine tradition (as lived by our Eastern Catholic and Orthodox brethren), I believe the priest places his stole over the head of the penitent.
As far as I know the Roman Rite only calls for the priest to extend his hand, not to touch the penitent. I think doing so would make a lot of people uncomfortable in this day and age, but I don’t think anything forbids it.
I’m a convert. I was received into the Church by a bishop. When I made my first confession the bishop did indeed lay his hand on my head when he absolved me.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

The laying on of hands is a very rich and significant gesture. It is the matter for the Sacrament of Order. It is an aspect of the Sacrament of Confirmation. It is to precede the anointings in the Sacrament of the Sick. It can be used in blessings and in prayer.

The Rite of Penance prescribes that the priest should extend his hand toward the penitent in pronouncing the words of absolution. One could actually place the hand on the penitent’s head.

However, an extreme of caution and prudence is to be exercised by the confessor in all things related to the integrity of that sacrament. Even years ago, I remember covering the sacrament of penance with those in formation and greatly discouraging the use of this gesture. One is alone with the penitent and the seal is absolute…one cannot in anyway answer any query on this point. Today, I would be even stricter as a formator than I was years ago on this point.

The same really is true for any time one is in any pastoral encounter that is un-witnessed and un-witnessable by other observers. There should not be any physical contact…nor even a close physical proximity. When I met with parishioners, unless it was someone I knew really well, there was always a desk between me and the person…and a window was installed in the door, if not already there, so people passing by could observe the inside of the priest’s office.

Even when others are present, a maximum of prudence is still to be called for. I remember participating in certain prayer services where the people were prayed over individually. They were warned that this included a laying on of hands on their head and that if they did not want to be touched, they should either not come forward or make a gesture or comment to indicate they did not wish to be touched. I always had a woman beside me to observe everything I said and did in those prayer encounters and to be able to bear witness as to what happened, so that there could be no occasions for misunderstanding.

One today really cannot be too cautious. An extreme of prudence is necessary.

 

[Dmitri77]

In the Byzantine tradition (as lived by our Eastern Catholic and Orthodox brethren), I believe the priest places his stole over the head of the penitent.

That’s correct. Then the priest places both hands on the penitent’s head and says the prayer of absolution. Hearing that prayer is one of the most amazing things. You feel the weight of your sins being lifted off of you.

 

[twf]

That’s correct. Then the priest places both hands on the penitent’s head and says the prayer of absolution. Hearing that prayer is one of the most amazing things. You feel the weight of your sins being lifted off of you.

Yes, I always feel like a physical weight is being removed when I receive absolution.

 

[babochka]

Several years ago, a priest put both of his hands on my head during the words of absolution. It was very meaningful to me and I literally felt like the Lord had just touched my heart. Furthermore, it triggered a profound spiritual experience for me and conversion, my faith was not the same afterwards, and I have been regularly confessing ever since and going to daily mass (when I can). Very few priests put their hands on the penitent like that, but when it occasionally does happen, I consider it a special gift. Upon reading about this gesture, I found out that the laying on of hands used to be an established and standard part of the sacrament until the late Middle Ages. Does anyone know why it was stopped and almost disappeared? I understand that it is impossible in a confession when there is a screen or a barrier, but why not in a face to face situation? Also, if there are concerns that some penitents would not be comfortable, the priest could always ask. Any thoughts on that? Anyone has similar feelings about it?

As others have mentioned, in the Byzantine Rite, the priest places his stole on the penitent’s head, and places his hands on the stole. Like you, I have always found this simple gesture to have a profound impact.

Here’s a link ot a picture:
pravmir.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/7be73b496bddbf89208b60fe38161ec5-600x422.jpg