Kissing the Stole?

[nysacerdote]

Is it still okay to kiss the end of the priest’s stole after certain actions like Confession? I know the Orthodox have retained this practice, and it was practiced in the Latin Church (I think?) pre-Vatican II, and was just wondering if it is still an accepted practice.

 

[Brendan]

The priests in our parish do it all the the time, the Deacons as well.

 

[nysacerdote]

The priests in our parish do it all the the time, the Deacons as well.

I meant for the laity to kiss the end of the stole. For example,

A man goes to confession. He confesses, receives absolution, etc., and then he moves to the priest, and kisses the end of the priests’ stole.

The Orthodox have retained this practice. It was a Catholic practice. My question is: Has the RCC retained this tradition?

 

[ClearWater]

I meant for the laity to kiss the end of the stole. For example,

A man goes to confession. He confesses, receives absolution, etc., and then he moves to the priest, and kisses the end of the priests’ stole.

The Orthodox have retained this practice. It was a Catholic practice. My question is: Has the RCC retained this tradition?

That’s the first time I’ve ever heard of laity doing that.

 

[sscott]

The best way to find out is to ask your priest when you go to confession.

 

[UpUpAndAway]

Or you could do it and see how he reacts

 

[corsair]

Where I go to confession there is no way to get near the priest as he is inside of the confessional.

Not to mention that I have never heard of this practice in the Roman Rite. (old or new)

 

[George_Stegmeir]

I received my First Holy Communion in 1943, and I have never heard of such a practice!
In fact, in the traditional Confesional (and I have been in them all over the world–I was a sailor for many years) the penitent is separated from the priest by a screen. It was only after V II that some parishes did away with the traditional confessional and Confession was done face-to-face,

 

[Theophorus]

-]/-]

Is it still okay to kiss the end of the priest’s stole after certain actions like Confession? I know the Orthodox have retained this practice, and it was practiced in the Latin Church (I think?) pre-Vatican II, and was just wondering if it is still an accepted practice.

It certainly was a practice in the Latin Rite of the Church prior to the Second Vatican Council but the practice varied in popularity and application. It was common in continental Europe, especially where open-face baroque confessionals with cloth covers over the priests seat were common(I think it is portrayed in the film about Pope John Paul II called ‘Karol’). It is an act of devotion and thanksgiving, symbolised by the kissing of a stole, for the powers Christ gave his priests to forgive sin.

Speak to your priest and see what he says, as to its acceptance and practice in your parish.

 

[Bookcat]

I meant for the laity to kiss the end of the stole. For example,

A man goes to confession. He confesses, receives absolution, etc., and then he moves to the priest, and kisses the end of the priests’ stole.

The Orthodox have retained this practice. It was a Catholic practice. My question is: Has the RCC retained this tradition?

Yes it is done within the Catholic Church within the Roman Rite by way of custom. Not everywhere but in places. Such as in Poland. Not seen it in America though (often they are very small purple stoles …so not practical).

 

[Chatter163]

This was a custom that prevailed in SOME, but not all, European countries in prior generations. One may have seen it in the US in parishes where immigrants from those European were in large number. But in general, this was not seen in the majority of parishes here (and especially not when an Irish priest was hearing confessions).

I can assure you that in this day of glass-door confessionals, and much uneasiness about any physical contact between confessor and penitent, it is NOT a good idea to try this practice without the priest’s permission. I also think that few priests today will be enthused about it, for the reasons I have mentioned above, so I would not even ask, myself.

 

[Tarpeian_Rock]

The priests in our parish do it all the the time, the Deacons as well.

The question does not appear to relate to vesting rituals of the clergy, but to lay practice regarding kissing of a stole.

 

[378]

I do this all the time. After confession, I kiss the priest’s hand and touch my forehead to it. I then do the same with his stole, kissing it and touching it to my forehead. Whenever I see a priest, I always kiss his hand, his stole if he is wearing one, and his cross if he is wearing one. I also ask for his blessing if possible.

I am a Latin Catholic, but I feel close affinities with the Eastern Churches and traditions. The aforementioned practices are common among Eastern Christians, and that I know of were once common among Latins. Latin priests today tend to not expect someone to kiss their hand or stole when someone approaches them, but I still do it. During processions such as during the entrance, I sometimes touch the hem or edges of the priest’s garments when they pass by.

I have always understood these as signs of respect for the priests’ authority from God, as in many ways they are true representatives of Christ in this world. Though many Latin priests seem shocked at times, they are largely understanding on this practice. Nevertheless, I would Say that more do not expect it than those who do; even in some Eastern churches I have attended, many priests actually prevented me from kissing their hand.