Kissing Our Lord and venerating images

[Monica4316]

I was thinking about how we venerate images of Our Lord. I have read about kissing Jesus’ feet on the images, His wounds, and I read about a Blessed whom Jesus asked to kiss His Holy Face in reparation for Judas’ kiss… wow! St Gemma kissed Jesus’ wound in His side, in a vision. Anyone have any similar Saint stories? I read St Therese kissed the image of Jesus on the face though I guess the common custom is the feet. How do we venerate the images of Jesus as Catholics? I have to say with growing up Eastern I only felt sure about kissing the images on the feet - which is beautiful too! but the Saint stories made me feel more comfortable venerating the images in other ways too as long as with love and devotion of course.

 

[Immacolata]

I was thinking about how we venerate images of Our Lord. I have read about kissing Jesus’ feet on the images, His wounds, and I read about a Blessed whom Jesus asked to kiss His Holy Face in reparation for Judas’ kiss… wow! St Gemma kissed Jesus’ wound in His side, in a vision. Anyone have any similar Saint stories? I read St Therese kissed the image of Jesus on the face though I guess the common custom is the feet. How do we venerate the images of Jesus as Catholics? I have to say with growing up Eastern I only felt sure about kissing the images on the feet - which is beautiful too! but the Saint stories made me feel more comfortable venerating the images in other ways too as long as with love and devotion of course.

I do not have any similar saint stories of venerating an image of Jesus, but I do recall a story of St. Catherine Laboure; after her mother’s funeral, the young Catherine held her statue of Our Lady and, kissing it, said:

Now you will be my mother.

I find that story to be particularly heartwarming. When I venerate depictions of Jesus (or of Our Lady), I find I often kiss either their hands or their feet. At times, I kiss my fingertips and touch their face as well.

 

[Aran_Houlihan]

I do not have any similar saint stories of venerating an image of Jesus, but I do recall a story of St. Catherine Laboure; after her mother’s funeral, the young Catherine held her statue of Our Lady and, kissing it, said:

I have notices in my parish that some people kiss the feet of statues of saints when they praying

 

[Della]

I have a painting of Jesus suffering whose face I kiss every time I pray, “Most Sacred Heart of Jesus have mercy on us.” And I’ve kissed the feet of statues at our parish, as well. In fact, seeing an woman kissing the hands of a statue of Jesus is one of the things that softened my heart towards Catholicism when I was a Pentecostalist, so it’s a lovely witness to the reality of our faith in Christ and of the communion of saints.

 

[centurionguard]

I think its a beautiful gesture when done in “secret” and/or prayer. I do this with blessed crucifixes and a 36 1/2 inch blessed statue of Mary of Fatima on her feet.
I try to place my self in a child-like state of humility in prayerful supplication.
Sometimes it makes me cry doing this but I know its good for me.
Perhaps its a spiritual longing crying out for nearness.

Fraternally Yours In Christ Jesus
Chris

 

[GraceUnderFire]

I sort of have a devotion to the holy wounds of Jesus. Sometimes, I do stand in front of my crucifix and touch His pierced hands and feet. I also recently bought a prayer card with an image of Jesus that I find to be beautiful. I have occasionally kissed the card. I realize it isn’t really Him and I know some would say it’s blasphemy or idolatry, but it helps me feel close to Him. It’s my way of trying to love Him in a human way since I can’t actually touch Him. Maybe He can supernaturally feel my kiss?