Fr. Ray has put up a fascinating little snippet of information:Amethyst, (a-methusko in Greek), means 'not to be intoxicated'. Therefore a bishop wearing the traditional amethyst ring are stating they are successors of the Apostles.
He also points out that a Partial Indulgence can be obtained by kissing a bishop's ring. What I want to know is, why do the bishops seem to get so embarassed when a member of the laity tries to do just that?
I have corrected it I meant, "partial".
ReplyDeleteOh.... ok, I've amended it too. (I was sure I'd read somewhere else it was a Plenary, but I guess you know for definite!!)
ReplyDeleteAmethyst is Mary's birthstone.
ReplyDelete:)
I know - I am VERY uncomfortable with a Bishop who does not see the need for this fine tradition.
There's a Bishop I know and like very, very much who always seems taken aback and a bit put out when one kisses his ring.
I kiss my bishop's hand more or less whenever I see him, and I get the distinct impression that he doesn't like it. When I was visiting my "old" bishop in the UK I kissed his hand too and got the comment, "Oh...you never used to do that!"
ReplyDeleteAs far as I'm concerned, they bishops, and they need to come to terms with this fact :P
my good ol' hispanics parents kiss the hand of any priest they find... its funny to see our Irish priest turn all kinds of red :)
ReplyDeleteWhat I want to know is, why do the bishops seem to get so embarassed when a member of the laity tries to do just that?
ReplyDeleteI KNOW, I KNOW!!!! *waving hand furiously above head*
It's because the Modernists want so desperatly to be looked upon as "one of the guys".