Q. 1. What does the Catholic Church mean by the "Kiss of Peace?"

A. 1. A quick answer to your question, the "Kiss of Peace" is another expression for the "Sign of Peace" that is found in the Holy Mass. Another term is the "Rite of Peace."

The kiss of peace is an ancient traditional Christian greeting, also called the "Holy kiss", "Brother kiss" (among men), or "Sister kiss" (among women). Some congregations do not perform inter-gender holy-kissing.

It was the widespread custom in the ancient western Mediterranean for men to greet each other with a kiss. That was also the custom in ancient Judea and practiced also by Christians.

However, the New Testament's references to a holy kiss and kiss of love transformed the character of the act beyond a greeting. Such a kiss is mentioned five times in the concluding section of letters in the New Testament:

Romans 16:16 — "Greet one another with a holy kiss".

1 Corinthians 16:20 — "Greet one another with a holy kiss".

2 Corinthians 13:12 — "Greet one another with a holy kiss".

I Thessalonians 5:26 — "Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss".

1 Peter 5:14 — "Greet one another with a kiss of love".

It has been noted that these mentions of the holy kiss come at the end of these epistles. Since these epistles were addressed to Christian communities they would most probably have been read in the context of their communal worship. If the assemblies for worship already concluded in a celebration of the Eucharist the holy kiss would already have occurred in the position it would later occupy in most ancient Christian liturgical tradition (with the exception of the Roman Rite), namely after the proclamation of the Word and at the beginning of the celebration of the Eucharist.

The writings of the early church fathers speak of the holy kiss, which they call "a sign of peace", which was already part of the Eucharistic liturgy, occurring after the Lord's Prayer in the Roman Rite and the rites directly derived from it.

In the Tridentine Mass form of the Roman Rite, the sign of peace is given at Solemn Masses alone and is exchanged only among the clergy. It is given by extending both arms in a slight embrace with the words "Pax tecum" (Peace be with you), first by the priest celebrant to the deacon, who in turn gives it to the subdeacon, who gives the sign to any other clergy present in choir dress.

In the Roman Rite revised in 1969, the sign of peace is used at most Masses but it is not obligatory. It is exchanged between all present in no prescribed order, except that "the Priest gives the sign of peace to a Deacon or minister". The manner prescribed is as follows: "It is appropriate that each one give the sign of peace only to those who are nearest and in a sober manner. The Priest may give the sign of peace to the ministers but always remains within the sanctuary, so as not to disturb the celebration. He does likewise if for a just reason he wishes to extend the sign of peace to some few of the faithful."

The following are considered abuses by the Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments:

• introducing a "song of peace" to accompany the rite;

• the faithful moving from their places to exchange the sign of peace;

• the priest leaving the altar to give the sign of peace to some of the faithful;

• expressing other sentiments, e.g. expressing congratulations, best wishes or condolences among those present at a wedding, funeral or other ceremony.

[Source for the above: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiss_of_peace ]

• Hugs and kisses, including those between spouses.

• Any form of touching that would be considered sexual abuse (body pressing).

Final Note: Depending on the countries, some parishioners detest the "Sign of Peace" and will not participate in it. Some members of the Church have left the Church when this practice was implemented. They believe that they go to Church to worship, not to shake hand with strangers.

Reference to strangers usually applies to cities where many parishioners from large parishes do not know each other. In small towns, where everyone knows just about everyone else, the shaking of hands (Sign of Peace) is not a problem. But the same cannot be said in large communities.

Some priests have tried to resolve this problem by starting the Holy Mass with everyone being forced into shaking hand and introducing themselves to the person beside them. Rather than solving the problem, this has worsen the situation where two "Signs of Peace" were enough to make some people walk out of the Church for good.