Latin
A tablet to be kissed. The primitive usage in the
Church was for the "holy
kiss" to be given promiscuously. Later
men of the laity saluted
men with the
kiss, while women kissed women. This latter manner of giving the
peace among the laity seems to have been maintained till the thirteenth century, when a substitute for the actual
kiss was introduced in the shape of a small wooden tablet, or plate of metal bearing an image of the Blessed Virgin, of the titular of the church, or other saint, or more frequently of the crucifixion. The earliest notice of these instruments is in the records of English councils of the thirteenth century. This departure from the prevailing usage is attributed by Cardinal Bona to the Franciscans. Kissed by the celebrant and cleansed with a linen cloth, the tablet or plate was carried to others to be likewise kissed by them. This ceremony stills obtains in low masses, when the
peace is thus given to prelates and princes, not to others except in rare cases established by custom. The acolyte or server kneeling at the right of the celebrant presents the tablet. The celebrant kissing it says: "Pax tecum"; the server answers: "Et
cum spiritu tuo". The server then carries the instrument in turn to those who are to receive the
peace, saying to each: "Pax tecum"; each responds, "Et
cum spiritu tuo", and then genuflects.