Hi, Mary -

It's an ancient, traditional symbol of extending a blessing, used in the Catholic Church for at least a millenium or two before Hitler was born. However, before the Second Vatican Council in the 1960's, blessings were usually given only by priests. As Mark Cohen said, the tradition of extending blessings dates back far before the time of Christ. Somehow, the universality of blessings got forgotten in the Cahtolic Church during the Middle Ages, and it was usually priests who gave blessings. In the restoration of the ancient liturgy that took place during and after Vatican II, it was recognized that we all should ask God's blessing on others - and so lay people once again began to use this gesture.

I was blessed by our parish in this way when I was commissioned as a delegate to our diocesan synod. That blessing from the whole community meant a lot to me, much more than a blessing that came just from a priest.

And no, it has nothing at all to do with Hitler. It's an ancient tradition that has been restored. So, not to worry, Mary.

-Joe Offer-