Catholic Pocket Dictionary/K

Kiss of Peace.-Among Jews (Gen. xxxii. 4, 2 Kings xiv. 33, Job xxxi. 27) and heathen the kiss was used much more frequently than among ourselves as a mere sign of good will and charity. The kiss of peace was given at Mass from the earliest times. To kiss the altar is a mark of reverence the place on which the Blessed Eucharist is offered. The priest does so repeatedly in the Mass. So the celebrant at Mass signifies his love for the teaching of Christ by kissing the Gospel.

KISS