Credo in Deum Posted June 23, 2014 Share Posted June 23, 2014 (edited) But gimme some time as I am still flipping through my bible and catechism to find out where and why it is right and more over expected to go above and beyond a normal greeting.It is done out of respect for their office. God has called them and annoited them. Their positions are not ones of an earthly city but of a heavenly kingdom. Who else acts in persona Christi? Who else has been given the authority to forgive or retain sins? Who else has been given the privlage of consecrating the Holy Eucharist? It was common for Catholics to have a devotion to the hands of a priest. So common that enemies of the Church would notice this and therefore chop the priest's hands off so they could not say Mass or perform their sacred functions. The early Christians used to venerate these hands as relics. Why do we not practice this type of devotion today? My guess is because lay Catholics and sadly the clergy, have lost their faith in the True Presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist. Edited June 23, 2014 by Credo in Deum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superblue Posted June 23, 2014 Share Posted June 23, 2014 It is done out of respect for their office. God has called them and annoited them. Their positions are not ones of an earthly city but of a heavenly kingdom. Who else acts in persona Christi? Who else has been given the authority to forgive or retain sins? Who else has been given the privlage of consecrating the Holy Eucharist? It was common for Catholics to have a devotion to the hands of a priest. So common that enemies of the Church would notice this and therefore chop the priest's hands off so they could not say Mass or perform their sacred functions. The early Christians used to venerate these hands as relics. Why do we not practice this type of devotion today? My guess is because lay Catholics and sadly the clergy, have lost their faith in the True Presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist. Thanks for putting that into perspective, I was not thinking in terms of an anointed /heavenly kingdom, and I never knew priests long ago had their hands chopped off by enemies of the church that is really interesting. I did know how ever that some European practice was to chop off the two fingers used to shoot an arrow rendering the fighter useless as well, why I know that an not the other * shrugs *... I Guess where I take issue is how this extra respect now is only given to bishops and higher, and no longer to the priest. as you have already pointed out. And I hope at least clergy are not losing or have lost any faith in the True Presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist. If that is the case then it is becoming the blind leading the blind. ty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nihil Obstat Posted June 23, 2014 Share Posted June 23, 2014 I Guess where I take issue is how this extra respect now is only given to bishops and higher, and no longer to the priest. as you have already pointed out. And I hope at least clergy are not losing or have lost any faith in the True Presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist. If that is the case then it is becoming the blind leading the blind. ty During the processional and recessional at Mass many of us bow to the priest as he passes us. Why do you think we do that? We all call him "Father." In this very casual, informal society we live in now, we try to do whatever we can to show extra respect to our priests. Why do we do it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anomaly Posted June 23, 2014 Share Posted June 23, 2014 Your Grace here. I used to call my favorite bishop Slats. I was young and cocky then. Would that be Lynch in St. Pete? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MIKolbe Posted June 23, 2014 Share Posted June 23, 2014 protip- do not call him 'dude' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Selah Posted June 23, 2014 Share Posted June 23, 2014 protip- do not call him 'dude' oops :| Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perigrina Posted June 23, 2014 Share Posted June 23, 2014 In days gone by it was customary to bow and kiss a priest's hand. And we still call him "father", so........ y'know... Y u gotta be liek dat? Is it not appropriate to honour those who have authority over us? One parish I sometimes attend has a lot of Filipino immigrants who retain their customs of visible gestures of respect to priests like bowing and hand-kissing. I really like the idea because I hold priests in very high respect, but it would be awkward for me (and probably most Western priests) because we are not from a culture that does this. The thing that makes a priest so worthy of respect is his role in confecting the Eucharist. While bishops have additional powers of governance and teaching, nothing is as significant as the Eucharist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nihil Obstat Posted June 23, 2014 Share Posted June 23, 2014 One parish I sometimes attend has a lot of Filipino immigrants who retain their customs of visible gestures of respect to priests like bowing and hand-kissing. I really like the idea because I hold priests in very high respect, but it would be awkward for me (and probably most Western priests) because we are not from a culture that does this. The thing that makes a priest so worthy of respect is his role in confecting the Eucharist. While bishops have additional powers of governance and teaching, nothing is as significant as the Eucharist. There are a couple people at my parish who do it too. I would find it awkward for myself as well, but I do wish it was still the prevailing custom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Credo in Deum Posted June 23, 2014 Share Posted June 23, 2014 Every time I read "confecting....", I always think of.. http://youtu.be/LcufmQqovUQ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
truthfinder Posted June 23, 2014 Share Posted June 23, 2014 The EF has several times where kissing the priest's hand is required - receiving the palm on palm Sunday, candles on candlemas, etc. At solemn high Masses, the servers also frequently kiss the priest's hand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perigrina Posted June 23, 2014 Share Posted June 23, 2014 The EF has several times where kissing the priest's hand is required - receiving the palm on palm Sunday, candles on candlemas, etc. At solemn high Masses, the servers also frequently kiss the priest's hand. I think the EF is better in general at expressing the importance of priests. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Credo in Deum Posted June 23, 2014 Share Posted June 23, 2014 The EF has several times where kissing the priest's hand is required - receiving the palm on palm Sunday, candles on candlemas, etc. At solemn high Masses, the servers also frequently kiss the priest's hand. It's also customary when receiving a blessing from a newly ordained priest. In fact you kiss the palm of his hands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nihil Obstat Posted June 23, 2014 Share Posted June 23, 2014 It's also customary when receiving a blessing from a newly ordained priest. In fact you kiss the palm of his hands. A plenary indulgence is attached to a priest's first blessings, if I remember correctly. The first year following his ordination. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Credo in Deum Posted June 23, 2014 Share Posted June 23, 2014 Yep, you are correct. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nihil Obstat Posted June 23, 2014 Share Posted June 23, 2014 If that is not a recognition of the great honour we offer our priests, then nothing is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now