Author Topic: Is it still appropriate to kiss a priests hand? (Read 4177 times)

Cantarella · « **on:** February 02, 2014, 08:14:48 PM »

I was taught back home to always kiss the priests' hand when greeting. It was a sign of utter reverence. Is this still appropriate in the US? I feel a little awkward.

If so, how is this actually done? do you actually give a kiss or merely press the lips against his hand?

Frances · « **Reply #1 on:** February 02, 2014, 09:56:56 PM »

:dancing-banana:
Kissing a priest's hand is a custom of reverence and respect in just about every country except for the U.S. I see no reason not to practice it unless the priest himself indicates otherwise. Give either a light kiss or, for the more reserved, hold his hand to the forehead. The latter is done frequently in the Philippines. We still kiss the bishop's ring, so why not the hand of the priest?

Charlemagne · « **Reply #2 on:** February 02, 2014, 10:15:31 PM »

Quote from: Frances

:dancing-banana:
Kissing a priest's hand is a custom of reverence and respect in just about every country except for the U.S. I see no reason not to practice it unless the priest himself indicates otherwise. Give either a light kiss or, for the more reserved, hold his hand to the forehead. The latter is done frequently in the Philippines. We still kiss the bishop's ring, so why not the hand of the priest?

Our children are Fil-Ams (Filipino-Americans), so they greet our priest with "mano po," the traditional Filipino greeting.

Cantarella · « **Reply #3 on:** February 02, 2014, 10:28:17 PM »

I know that among Byzantine Catholics it is common practice and considered good etiquette. I have seen Philippinos still doing it too.

Nadir · « **Reply #4 on:** February 03, 2014, 05:01:17 AM »

I have never kissed a priests hands. Being Australian it would just not come naturally to me, except in a form of ritual as at the time of first blessing after ordination.

I believe you should show respect in a way that comes naturally to you. You should not feel awkward, which might lead the priest also to feel awkward.

ggreg · « **Reply #5 on:** February 03, 2014, 07:17:42 AM »

I was at Candlemass on Sunday and the priest said according to the rubrics of 1962 you kiss the candle and the priests hand before taking the candle.

Then everyone went up and simply took the candle without any kissing of the candle or his hand.

s2srea · « **Reply #6 on:** February 03, 2014, 07:44:56 AM »

I was brought up to kiss the priests hand (Mexican mother) and have taught my wife and children to do so as well. I was taught that it was a form of reverence to the hands consecrated to touch our Blessed Lord in the Sacrament.

Cantarella · « **Reply #7 on:** February 03, 2014, 09:44:54 AM »

Quote from: ggreg

I was at Candlemass on Sunday and the priest said according to the rubrics of 1962 you kiss the candle and the priests hand before taking the candle.

Then everyone went up and simply took the candle without any kissing of the candle or his hand.

In my US parish people did kiss the priest's hands at Candlemass last Sunday.

Frances · « **Reply #8 on:** February 03, 2014, 10:58:26 AM »

Quote from: ggreg

Then everyone went up and simply took the candle without any kissing of the candle or his hand.

:dancing-banana:You British are too reserved!

Sigismund · « **Reply #9 on:** February 03, 2014, 06:43:21 PM »

Quote from: Cantarella

I know that among Byzantine Catholics it is common practice and considered good etiquette. I have seen Philippinos still doing it too.

Indeed it is. We do not do it as much as we once did, but it is stil a frequent practice. I don't recall ever seeing it in a Latin church, though. Bishops, sure, but not priests.