On Fri, 13 Mar 1998, Monastery Library wrote:
> Date: Fri, 13 Mar 1998 10:19:51 -0400
> From: Monastery Library <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: SLAP
>
> Said Steve Cartwright
>
> Regarding the meaning of the slap given at confirmation, I
> had heard that it was a symbol of the persecution the
> confirmed Christian could expect in the world. Is this a
> more modern, as opposed to medieval meaning?
>
>
> Is not this (it was a tap on the cheek when I was confirmed in '43
> or '44) a fossilised form of the *pax* of kiss of peace, now
> generally in use on these and similar occasions?
>
> We were offered the above expklanation, and I regret to say that
> at the time I failed to point out to people how erroneous was their
> understanding of liturgical history. I dare say that, had I done
> so, the consequences might have been even more memorable...
>
> a.c.
But that is what I was taught in preparation for confirmation, which
suggests a new meaning added to replace one lost over the years.
tom izbicki
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