Kissing the Priest's hand and Blessing

[scylla]

This isn’t really a liturgy question but directly relates to it as this deals with the Holiness of the Priest and his hands.(also because someone said we bash Priests too much)

How many of you have kissed a Priest’s hands, because these are the hands that give us Jesus?
(this I plan to do as an appreciation to Jesus for the elderly Priest who teaches a Bible study each week and who has given me a hope in seeing a good faithful priest)

When was the last time you asked for a Priest to give you\your family a blessing?
(me about 2 weeks ago before my family and I went on a large trip)

As Catholics we should be aware of the special privilege we have each time we encounter a Priest, a man who has dedicated his life to offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, we should respect that and reinforce this in their minds.

Too often good priests are treated badly for the sins of the bad priests, we need to show our appreciation and respect them for who they are, and even if they are not the best priest, encourage them to live out their Holy Vocation.

In Christ
Scylla

 

[palmas85]

This isn’t really a liturgy question but directly relates to it as this deals with the Holiness of the Priest and his hands.

How many of you have kissed a Priest’s hands, because these are the hands that give us Jesus?
(this I plan to do as an appreciation to Jesus for the elderly Priest who teaches a Bible study each week and who has given me a hope in seeing a good faithful priest)

When was the last time you asked for a Priest to give you\your family a blessing?
(me about 2 weeks ago before my family and I went on a large trip)

As Catholics we should be aware of the special privilege we have each time we encounter a Priest, a man who has dedicated his life to offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, we should respect that and reinforce this in their minds.

Too often good priests are treated badly for the sins of the bad priests, we need to show our appreciation and respect them for who they are, and even if they are not the best priest, encourage them to live out their Holy Vocation.

In Christ
Scylla

Answer to number one many times, the last was the Bishop however, several months ago when I met him.

Answer to number two last week.

 

[anamchara]

This isn’t really a liturgy question but directly relates to it as this deals with the Holiness of the Priest and his hands.(also because someone said we bash Priests too much)

How many of you have kissed a Priest’s hands, because these are the hands that give us Jesus?
(this I plan to do as an appreciation to Jesus for the elderly Priest who teaches a Bible study each week and who has given me a hope in seeing a good faithful priest)

When was the last time you asked for a Priest to give you\your family a blessing?
(me about 2 weeks ago before my family and I went on a large trip)

As Catholics we should be aware of the special privilege we have each time we encounter a Priest, a man who has dedicated his life to offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, we should respect that and reinforce this in their minds.

Too often good priests are treated badly for the sins of the bad priests, we need to show our appreciation and respect them for who they are, and even if they are not the best priest, encourage them to live out their Holy Vocation.

In Christ
Scylla

I have not Scylla but I’ve seen this done mainly by the Mexicans who attends daily mass. I think it’s very dear. The frist time I saw it I was a bit surprised because I had never seen it before. But then later I thought wow what a beautiful and profound way to show appreciation and respect. I have to admit I don’t know that I’d ever have the nerve to do it I’d be too shy about the whole thing.

 

[wannabee]

In the Eastern Catholic Churches this is quite normal.

When I see my Spiritual Father I always ask for his Blessing and when he has given it and put his hand in my hands they are held together right on top of left and palm uppermost I always kiss it

Equally I ask his Blessing to chant the Hours before Liturgy - and again kiss his hand then.

When I leave we do not live in the same country BTW ] I again ask for his Blessing.

At home here - I ask my Priest for his Blessing - and he always gives it.

 

[kaygee]

How many of you have kissed a Priest’s hands, because these are the hands that give us Jesus?

Every day following daily Mass. The “regulars” are used to it by now and know where I’m coming from and they seem to appreciate it. When we have a guest priest, I usually explain if they look surprised after I’ve done it. Doesn’t take much, just go to shake hands, bow, and give a quick peck, and follow up with a sincere “thank you, Father”.

After the absolution at Confession, I usually ask if the Confessor minds if I kiss his hand. Usually he’ll extend his hand and I kiss it and say, “thank you Father”

When was the last time you asked for a Priest to give you\your family a blessing?

Birthdays, name days, anniversaries, job hunting, start of school, etc.

Wish both old customs would come back in the West. In the East, it’s so common we don’t even think about it. I lurk in the West alot so the above answers are what I do when attending daily Mass and Confession in the West.

 

[AJV]

1. Yes, many times, the last being yesterday.
   Some people (like Filipinos) do it a little differently, though,: they touch their foreheads to the priest’s palm.
2. The same as (1). Kiss hand and get blessed.

 

[Lover_of_Jesus]

Answer to the first question - Never have.

Second question - Often

 

[Brendan]

Number 1 - last August

FYI, the veneration of a newly ordained priest’s hands is a partial indulgence, a plenery indulgence if you are related to the priest.

Number 2 - today (and after most Masses)

 

[kaygee]

Number 1 - last August

FYI, the veneration of a newly ordained priest’s hands is a partial indulgence, a plenery indulgence if you are related to the priest.

oh, that explains a recent joking remark from a deacon who was standing with a newly ordained priest after daily Mass recently, “trying for an indulgence, KG?” He knows this is my usual custom, but I felt compelled to explain that I needed to venerate the hands that had so recently confected the Eucharist. . . didn’t know there was really an indulgence attached to it. . .

 

[thistle]

THE BEAUTIFUL HANDS OF A PRIEST

We need them in life’s early morning, we need them again at its close;
We feel their warm clasp of true friendship, we seek them when tasting life’s woes.
When we come to this world we are sinful, the greatest as well as the least.
And the hand that makes us pure as angels is the beautiful hand of a priest.

At the altar each day we behold them, and the hands of a king on his throne
Are not equal to them in their greatness, their dignity stands all alone;
For there in the stillness of morning, ere the sun has emerged from the East,
There God rests between the pure fingers of the beautiful hands of a priest.

And when we are tempted and wander to pathways of shame and sin,
‘Tis the hand of a priest will absolve us – not once, but again and again;
And when we are taking life’s partner, other hands may prepare us a feast,
But the hand that will bless and unite us is the beautiful hand of a priest.

God bless them and keep them all holy for the Host which their fingers caress;
What can a poor sinner do better than ask Him, He Who chose thee to bless?
When the death-dews on our eyelids are falling, may our courage and strength be increased,
By seeing raised o’er us in blessing, the beautiful hands of a priest.

 

[kleary]

This isn’t really a liturgy question but directly relates to it as this deals with the Holiness of the Priest and his hands.(also because someone said we bash Priests too much)

How many of you have kissed a Priest’s hands, because these are the hands that give us Jesus?
(this I plan to do as an appreciation to Jesus for the elderly Priest who teaches a Bible study each week and who has given me a hope in seeing a good faithful priest)

When was the last time you asked for a Priest to give you\your family a blessing?
(me about 2 weeks ago before my family and I went on a large trip)

As Catholics we should be aware of the special privilege we have each time we encounter a Priest, a man who has dedicated his life to offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, we should respect that and reinforce this in their minds.

Too often good priests are treated badly for the sins of the bad priests, we need to show our appreciation and respect them for who they are, and even if they are not the best priest, encourage them to live out their Holy Vocation.

In Christ
Scylla

In the Traditional Roman Rite at Holy Mass the Deacon or MC kisses the hand of the priest whenever they take anything from him or give anything to him.

The rubrics of the Roman Rite of Holy Mass - 1962 - call for the liturgical kissing of the priests hands- a liturgical action that teaches the Catholic Faith.

The “oscula” is part of the Roman Rite - it teaches us part of the Catholic Faith- as I see- the hands of the priest will touch the Sacred Host and offer for us the Sacrifice of Salvation to the Holy Trinity.

In days past I have served as a Master of Ceremonies at a Traditional Latin Mass and I cannot count how many times- so numerous are they- that I have kissed the hand of a priest during the Mass.

Ken

 

[Missa_Solemnis]

This isn’t really a liturgy question but directly relates to it as this deals with the Holiness of the Priest and his hands.(also because someone said we bash Priests too much)

How many of you have kissed a Priest’s hands, because these are the hands that give us Jesus?
(this I plan to do as an appreciation to Jesus for the elderly Priest who teaches a Bible study each week and who has given me a hope in seeing a good faithful priest)

When was the last time you asked for a Priest to give you\your family a blessing?
(me about 2 weeks ago before my family and I went on a large trip)

As Catholics we should be aware of the special privilege we have each time we encounter a Priest, a man who has dedicated his life to offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, we should respect that and reinforce this in their minds.

Too often good priests are treated badly for the sins of the bad priests, we need to show our appreciation and respect them for who they are, and even if they are not the best priest, encourage them to live out their Holy Vocation.

In Christ
Scylla

Kiss my priests hands after every Mass. But in my parish he stands by the gate and everyone tends to kiss his hand.

Of course my parish is a TLM parish…and the practice, I hear, is more common there.

(but if that wasnt the case im sure I still would do it )

 

[JKirkLVNV]

THE BEAUTIFUL HANDS OF A PRIEST

We need them in life’s early morning, we need them again at its close;
We feel their warm clasp of true friendship, we seek them when tasting life’s woes.
When we come to this world we are sinful, the greatest as well as the least.
And the hand that makes us pure as angels is the beautiful hand of a priest.

At the altar each day we behold them, and the hands of a king on his throne
Are not equal to them in their greatness, their dignity stands all alone;
For there in the stillness of morning, ere the sun has emerged from the East,
There God rests between the pure fingers of the beautiful hands of a priest.

And when we are tempted and wander to pathways of shame and sin,
‘Tis the hand of a priest will absolve us – not once, but again and again;
And when we are taking life’s partner, other hands may prepare us a feast,
But the hand that will bless and unite us is the beautiful hand of a priest.

God bless them and keep them all holy for the Host which their fingers caress;
What can a poor sinner do better than ask Him, He Who chose thee to bless?
When the death-dews on our eyelids are falling, may our courage and strength be increased,
By seeing raised o’er us in blessing, the beautiful hands of a priest.

This choked me up…and I don’t choke up all that easily.

I kiss my priests’ hands frequently, but not after every Mass.

 

[Morning_Star15]

I’ve never seen anyone kiss a priest’s hand - could someone explain exactly how this gesture is to be properly done? I honestly thought this gesture was done away with after Vatican II - for once I’m happy I was wrong, but as it’s been pointed out, it’s probably much more common in the Tridentine Mass (I’ve never been to a Tridentine Mass, probably the reason I’ve never seen the gesture). Now that I know it’s still an appropriate gesture, I might give it a try.

Karolina

 

[anamchara]

I’ve never seen anyone kiss a priest’s hand - could someone explain exactly how this gesture is to be properly done? I honestly thought this gesture was done away with after Vatican II - for once I’m happy I was wrong, but as it’s been pointed out, it’s probably much more common in the Tridentine Mass (I’ve never been to a Tridentine Mass, probably the reason I’ve never seen the gesture). Now that I know it’s still an appropriate gesture, I might give it a try.

Karolina

I’ve only seen it done once Karolina so I’m with you. I would like to know how it is done as well. I’m honestly not sure but it sounds like a pretty traditonal custom.

 

[kaygee]

I’ve never seen anyone kiss a priest’s hand - could someone explain exactly how this gesture is to be properly done? I honestly thought this gesture was done away with after Vatican II - for once I’m happy I was wrong, but as it’s been pointed out, it’s probably much more common in the Tridentine Mass (I’ve never been to a Tridentine Mass, probably the reason I’ve never seen the gesture). Now that I know it’s still an appropriate gesture, I might give it a try.

Karolina

Like I said above, when a handshake is appropriate, while clasping his hand, bow slightly and kiss the back of his hand. In my experience, many Western priests are not used to this gesture, so be prepared to explain. Always follow up with a “thank you, Father.”

Most seem to be appreciative of the gesture and receive it with grace.

A few shy away with the attitude of “I’m not worthy.” Of course they’re not worthy in and of themselves, but they have been made worthy by the gift of their priesthood and this simple gesture can help reinforce the great dignity of priesthood for them. Especially in these times of great attacks against the priesthood.

Give it a try. . .

 

[kleary]

I’ve never seen anyone kiss a priest’s hand - could someone explain exactly how this gesture is to be properly done? I honestly thought this gesture was done away with after Vatican II - for once I’m happy I was wrong, but as it’s been pointed out, it’s probably much more common in the Tridentine Mass (I’ve never been to a Tridentine Mass, probably the reason I’ve never seen the gesture). Now that I know it’s still an appropriate gesture, I might give it a try.

Karolina

On a side note the “oscula” [liturgical kissing of the priest’s hand and objects handed to him and received from him] was not very popular here in the United States. Remember with the return of the Tridentine Mass the practices from Europe followed- with the SSPX - FSSP from Europe. Also the book “The Ceremonies of the Roman Rite Described” list the practice as part of the liturgy.

Ken

 

[scylla]

I live in a very innovative parish which insults our Holy Faith every day with abuse in the Liturgy, I even had a Priest admit that he can’t do anything about it since he is not the Parish Administrator and they just sorta rent him out.

I am hoping some small actions such as these can help give the Priest some identity to his vocation other than just a figurehead.

It seems a lot of Priests are “beat” men who suffer at the whim of the laity who insult them frequently and are demanding, while the Priest’s vows of obedience put them in very difficult positions sometimes.

We need to show our appreciation for the Priest who I know has a difficult job. One of the ways is to prove to a Priest that he is a man of God who is ordained to give us the Holy Eucharist and lead us to Jesus.

In Christ
Scylla

 

[water]

When we kiss a priest’ hand, we show our obedience to the Church and all of its teachings.