Osculatorium (object to be kissed), viz. pacis ad Missam (of peace for the Mass); the "pax" for the holy kiss, as used in the ancient Church. It was a piece of wood or metal, with a picture of our Savior, the blessed Virgin, or the like, painted or embossed upon it. This was kissed by the priest during the celebration of mass, and afterwards handed to the people for the same purpose; a custom which probably originated in the ancient kiss of charity, which was practiced by the Christians at the service of the Eucharist. SEE PAX.
The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature was edited by John McClintock and James Strong. It contains nearly 50,000 articles pertaining to Biblical and other religious literature, people, creeds, etc. It is a fantastic research tool for broad Christian study.
John McClintock was born October 27, 1814 in Philadelphia to Irish immigrants, John and Martha McClintock. He began as a clerk in his father's store, and then became a bookkeeper in the Methodist Book Concern in New York. Here he converted to Methodism and considered joining the ministry. McClintock entered the University of Pennsylvania in 1832 and graduated with high honors three years later. Subsequently, he was awarded a doctorate of divinity degree from the same institution in 1848.WikipediaRead More