Why does the priest...?

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prophetdaniel

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“Why does the priest kiss the Bible and Altar during Mass?”

The children from the Children’s Liturgy program want to know.
😃 :o

Is it a ritual? Thank you in advance.
 
According to the GIRM:
273. According to traditional practice, the altar and the Book of the Gospels are venerated by means of a kiss. Where, however, a sign of this kind is not in harmony with the traditions or the culture of some region, it is for the Conference of Bishops to establish some other sign in its place, with the consent of the Apostolic See.
 
Since the Gospel is the Jesus manifested in the word and the altar is where the sacrafice takes place it is proper to venerate them with a kiss.

matthew
 
prophetdaniel said:
“Why does the priest kiss the Bible and Altar during Mass?”

The children from the Children’s Liturgy program want to know.
😃 :o

Is it a ritual? Thank you in advance.
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The term to use is “venerate” or hold in high honor because we acknowledge that Christ is present in a special way in His Word, the Holy Scriptures. Also we acknowledge that the Sacrifice of bread and wine which is to become a re-presentation of the sacrifice of the Cross takes place on this consecrated table.
 
Br. Rich SFO:
The term to use is “venerate” or hold in high honor because we acknowledge that Christ is present in a special way in His Word, the Holy Scriptures. Also we acknowledge that the Sacrifice of bread and wine which is to become a re-presentation of the sacrifice of the Cross takes place on this consecrated table.
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AND . . . there are relics of Saints in the altar under the altar stone, usually placed right in the center, where the Priest stands. When he kisses the altar, that’s where he kisses it.
 
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mercygate:
AND . . . there are relics of Saints in the altar under the altar stone, usually placed right in the center, where the Priest stands. When he kisses the altar, that’s where he kisses it.
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Many new Altars no longer have relics or an altar stone for that matter. Canon Law no longer requires them, so many pastors got rid of them.
 
Br. Rich SFO:
Many new Altars no longer have relics or an altar stone for that matter. Canon Law no longer requires them, so many pastors got rid of them.
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Good Lord, deliver us.
 
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mercygate:
Good Lord, deliver us.
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Huh? Why is it so important to have relics in the altar? Jesus din’t have a relic embedded in the table at the Last Supper, where He instituted the Eucharist, did He?
 
Michael Welter:
Huh? Why is it so important to have relics in the altar? Jesus din’t have a relic embedded in the table at the Last Supper, where He instituted the Eucharist, did He?
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I guess it isn’t so important because it is no longer required. But it was a beautiful, tangible affirmation of the Communion of Saints. My parish still has its relics. Not having a relic is one thing. Geting rid of themis just plain odd.

Why the scornful tone? Jesus didn’t have St. Peter’s Basilica either but I sure as heck would hate to see it go.
 
Br. Rich SFO:
Many new Altars no longer have relics or an altar stone for that matter. Canon Law no longer requires them, so many pastors got rid of them.
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Canon 1237 §2 seems to indicate otherwise:
Can. 1237 §2. The ancient tradition of placing relics of martyrs or other saints under a fixed altar is to be preserved, according to the norms given in the liturgical books.

What I find perplexing is that Canon 1239 §2 seems to contradict this. It states that Mass cannot be celebrated on an altar under which a body has been buried. Isn’t this the case with Saint Peter? :confused:

Perhaps the altar can be used if the body already existed under the site of dedication. What may be prohibited is burying a body underneath an altar that is already installed and dedicated. :hmmm:

To the other point that was raised, Canon 1236 §1 states that stone should be used for a fixed altar, unless another material is deemed suitable by the local conference of bishops. How they could justify wood over stone I will never know, but apparently they have!
 
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mercygate:
Why the scornful tone? Jesus didn’t have St. Peter’s Basilica either but I sure as heck would hate to see it go.
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My appologies. I didn’t intend to have a scornful tone. I just didn’t understand why we needed to be delivered from changes that doesn’t seem to matter that much to Jesus. I love relics, and I know that God can and does work through them. I tend to be cautious about getting too hung up in traditions that served a purpose at one time, but may no longer have meaning (I’m not talking about relics here). To me, changes that keep the faith fresh are good, as long as they are within the doctrines and laws of the Church.
 
Why kiss the Lectionary?
Christ is as present in His word as He is in the Eucharist. The substance of the presence is different.

Why kiss the Altar?
Well in one of our Eucharistic prayers (1, I think) Jesus is referred to as the Priest. the Altar and the Lamb of sacrifice. The Altar therefore represents Christ.
 
Michael Welter:
My appologies. I didn’t intend to have a scornful tone. I just didn’t understand why we needed to be delivered from changes that doesn’t seem to matter that much to Jesus. I love relics, and I know that God can and does work through them. I tend to be cautious about getting too hung up in traditions that served a purpose at one time, but may no longer have meaning (I’m not talking about relics here). To me, changes that keep the faith fresh are good, as long as they are within the doctrines and laws of the Church.
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I hear you. Thanks. I’m usually not so arbitrarily cranky (cranky I may be, but not without provocation). I apologize. It’s been a long day.
 
Michael Welter:
See 1 Timothy 5:23 for the remedy.:yup:
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:tiphat: Great idea. Sigh. It’ll have to wait until Sunday. My Rule of Life has this funky thing about Friday fasting and penance --no wine . . . Meet me on the veranda Sunday afternoon. D’ya like Margaritas?
 
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