The Catholic priest kisses the altar during mass as a sign of reverence and respect. The altar is a symbol of Christ’s body, and by kissing it, the priest is showing his love and devotion to Christ.

The tradition of kissing the altar dates back to the early days of the Church. In the first few centuries of Christianity, the altar was often made of stone, and it was considered to be a sacred object. The priest would kiss the altar as a way of showing his reverence for the sacrifice of Christ.

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Today, altars are often made of wood or marble, but they are still considered to be sacred objects. The priest kisses the altar as a way of showing his love and devotion to Christ, and as a way of sanctifying the mass.

Here are some other reasons why a Catholic priest will kiss the altar:

• To show his reverence for the Eucharist, which is consecrated on the altar.
• To ask for God’s blessing on the mass.
• To symbolize his unity with the other priests in the Church.
• To honor the sacrifice of Jesus

The act of kissing the altar is a simple gesture, but it is a powerful one. It is a way of showing our love for Christ and our commitment to his Church.

The Catholic priest kisses the altar during mass at three different times:

• At the beginning of mass, after the priest has vested and before he begins the liturgy of the word. This is a sign of reverence for the altar and for the Eucharist, which will be consecrated on the altar later in the mass.
• During the offertory, after the priest has presented the bread and wine to God. This is a sign of the priest’s offering himself and the gifts of bread and wine to God.
• After the consecration, when the priest receives the Eucharist. This is a sign of the priest’s union with Christ in the Eucharist.

In some traditions, the priest may also kiss the altar during other parts of the mass, such as the introit or the communion. However, the three times mentioned above are the most common times for the priest to kiss the altar.

The act of kissing the altar is a simple gesture, but it is a powerful one.

It is a way of showing our love for Christ and our commitment to his Church.