Mary:

I was a Catholic for many years, converting to the religion as an adult. I never once saw anything vaguely resembling a "salute." I'm a spiritual mongrel, having grown up Methodist, mostly, then becoming a Lutheran after I left the Catholic faith, and am now a Baptist. A northern Baptist, thank you.

As bbc stated it so well, when people feel moved in the Spirit, they often will raise one, or both hands in praise. It's is done as an affirmation of a prayer, or a song, or a scripture and while it was never part of my culture growing up, it has slowly come to feel natural to me. But, it sure ain't a salute. If it was, it'd be a salute to Jesus, I think.. not to be confused with "Heil Hitler."

Jerry