WHY THE PRIEST KISSES THE ALTAR
We see it every Sunday. The procession ends. The priest arrives at the altar…And then he does something quietly powerful:
He kisses it. No one announces it. No one explains it. But in that simple gesture, a profound mystery unfolds.
THIS IS NOT JUST A TABLE. The altar is not furniture. It is not a stage. It is Christ.
Yes, you read that right.The altar is a symbol of Christ Himself, the eternal High Priest, the spotless Victim, and the heavenly Altar (Hebrews 13:10).
The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM 298) affirms this:
“The altar, on which the Sacrifice of the Cross is made present, is also the table of the Lord… the center of the thanksgiving.” So when the priest kisses the altar, he is kissing Christ.
A KISS OF LOVE, WORSHIP, AND SACRIFICE
This kiss is ancient. It goes back to the early centuries of the Church. And it means three powerful things:
- Love – The priest expresses love for Christ and reverence for His sacrifice.
- Worship – He honors the holiness of the place where Heaven will touch Earth.
- Sacrifice – He recognizes that here, on this very spot, Christ will once again offer Himself for the salvation of the world.
Just as the woman in Luke 7 kissed the feet of Jesus in repentance and love, the priest now kisses the altar where that same Jesus will lay Himself down for you.
THE ALTAR HOLDS THE RELICS OF SAINTS
In many Catholic churches, beneath the altar lie relics of martyrs and saints, those who gave their blood for the Lamb.
When the priest kisses the altar, he honors not just Christ,
but those who have died in Him, and whose memory is now bound to His sacrifice.
It is a silent communion with the cloud of witnesses (Hebrews 12:1).
IT IS ALSO A MARRIAGE
The altar is not just a symbol of Christ, it is also the wedding altar.And the priest, in persona Christi, stands as the Bridegroom, ready to offer His life for His Bride, the Church.The kiss on the altar is like a sacred vow before the wedding begins.He will now lead the Church into union with God through the mystery of the Mass.
So, next time you see the priest kiss the altar… pause. Realize what’s happening.
It is not formality. It is not routine. It is the priest greeting Christ with love. It is Heaven and Earth touching. It is the beginning of sacrifice, of mystery, of salvation.
Because from this altar, the Cross will rise again. The Lamb will be offered. And mercy will pour out on the world.