When and why does the priest touch a person with his stole?

[PazzoGrande]

I remember seeing the priest touch his stole to the coffin when I went to a wake once where they celebrated Mass. I also saw a similar thing done with the funeral of John Paul II with the panikhida at the end; the Eastern deacon waved his stole over the casket.

And it’s also done in exorcisms for some reason.

When is this done and why? (Also, is just waving the stole near a casket the liturgical equivalent of touching it? Or is it something else?)

 

[tbtcom1213]

The priest also does this when he touches his stole to a newly baptized baby and upon the joined hands of a newlywed bride and groom.

Placing his stole over the child the priest introduces it into the church, and on the way to the font the sponsors make a profession of faith for the infant.

Source

Perhaps it is of a sacramental nature. The stole is worn by those who have received holy orders (priest, bishops and deacons). They wear it during the administration of the sacraments or when blessing a sacramental.

 

[Wesley7]

when and why does the priest touch a person with his stole?

To impart blessing.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

I once had occasion to confess to an Eastern Rite priest at a conference [we were on a couple of chairs in the corner of a hall]. He explained to me that in that rite the priest puts the ends of his stole on the penitent’s head during Absolution to demonstrate the covering by God’s Mercy. I thought it a great symbol.

 

[Will_S]

The priest places his stole on the catechumen during the traditional rite of baptism.