Can Incense Be Used if the Smoke is not Blessed?

[TimothyH]

Supoose a regular novena which also typically contains a benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, all led by a deacon. Now if the deacon were not present, a lay person could lead but could not bless those present with a relic, nor give a final blessing, nor would anyone ever presume that they should put on humeral veil and bless anyone with the Blessed Sacrament. So the benediction wouldn’t be a benediction, nor should it advertised or presumed to be a benediction.

But if the lay person were to simply expose the Blessed Sacrament in the monstrance for brief period of adoration instead of the full benediction, could they also charge the thirible and incense the Blessed Sacrament? Would it even make sense to do so?

I guess what I’m asking is, is incensing also a form of blessing? What about the smoke itself - it also has to be blessed or it is just smoke, right? Does it even make sense to light and charge the thurible and swing it if the smoke is not blessed?

-Tim-

 

[FAB]

Supoose a regular novena which also typically contains a benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, all led by a deacon. Now if the deacon were not present, a lay person could lead but could not bless those present with a relic, nor give a final blessing, nor would anyone ever presume that they should put on humeral veil and bless anyone with the Blessed Sacrament. So the benediction wouldn’t be a benediction, nor should it advertised or presumed to be a benediction.

But if the lay person were to simply expose the Blessed Sacrament in the monstrance for brief period of adoration instead of the full benediction, could they also charge the thirible and incense the Blessed Sacrament? Would it even make sense to do so?

I guess what I’m asking is, is incensing also a form of blessing? What about the smoke itself - it also has to be blessed or it is just smoke, right? Does it even make sense to light and charge the thurible and swing it if the smoke is not blessed?

-Tim-

a lay person is not allowed to give the benidiction blessing or to incense.

 

[TimothyH]

a lay person is not allowed to give the benidiction blessing or to incense.

I know that a lay person is not allowed to give a benediction blessing with the monstrance, or any other kind of blessing for that matter, with the exception of blessing his own children.

I’m not sure however, if it is correct to say that a lay person is not allowed to incense. At least that isn’t what I know to be true but I could stand to be corrected. Is there a source of authoritative information on that?

I have incensed the blessed sacrament as the priest and deacon raise it during the benediction. I have seen this practice many times, lay persons swinging the thurible when the priest raises the monstrance with the humeral veil. This is common practice at the benedictions presided over by a priests of Opus Dei which I attend once each month. Many altar servers incense the priest before the reading of the gospel. I’ve also seen many priests invite members of the family to swing the thurible over the casket of a loved one at the conclusion of a funeral Mass.

My specific question is, if a lay person is allowed to incense, does the smoke have to be blessed. Does incense have any meaning if the smoke is not blessed?

-Tim-

 

[thomas_jd]

Supoose a regular novena which also typically contains a benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, all led by a deacon. Now if the deacon were not present, a lay person could lead but could not bless those present with a relic, nor give a final blessing, nor would anyone ever presume that they should put on humeral veil and bless anyone with the Blessed Sacrament. So the benediction wouldn’t be a benediction, nor should it advertised or presumed to be a benediction.

But if the lay person were to simply expose the Blessed Sacrament in the monstrance for brief period of adoration instead of the full benediction, could they also charge the thirible and incense the Blessed Sacrament? Would it even make sense to do so?

I guess what I’m asking is, is incensing also a form of blessing? What about the smoke itself - it also has to be blessed or it is just smoke, right? Does it even make sense to light and charge the thurible and swing it if the smoke is not blessed?

Tim, It would not be Benediction if the priest or Deacon was absent.
Over many, many years of serving at Mass I do not ever remember seeing a blessing for the incense. While it may be blest , I don’t think it is a requirement.
The rising smoke is our prayer!
We do not use incense at our Adoration chapel, nor would I use it for Adoration in the church that I am a sacristan

 

[TimothyH]

Tim, It would not be Benediction if the priest or Deacon was absent.
Over many, many years of serving at Mass I do not ever remember seeing a blessing for the incense. While it may be blest , I don’t think it is a requirement.
The rising smoke is our prayer!
We do not use incense at our Adoration chapel, nor would I use it for Adoration in the church that I am a sacristan

Thomas, thank you so much for the reply, and thank you for being a sacristan - truly a hidden ministry.

I know it would not be a benediction if the priest or deacon were not there. But suppose the deacon didn’t show. We have a novena with veneration of the relic and it includes a benediction. The kneelers are out, the relic is ready, and the thurible is red hot… It’s like five after the hour and the people are getting restless but there’s no deacon. Nada. No- show. Zip. Zilch. Nyet. The parking spot which says “Clergy only” is empty. Void.

What to do? I lead the novena of course. Off we go, “In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” “AMEN!” yada yada, and we get to the part where the deacon usually exposes the blessed sacrament and then incenses. What do I do?

Expose but not incense? Maybe sing the Tantum Ergo and then repose? Or do I expose and incense? I mean, the thurible is like two feet away from me, ready to go, red hot. The boat is right there, and the people seem to like the billowing clouds of second-hand smoke. I know I do!

I know it is not a benediction. Can I incense anyway?

 

[At_Trent]

The Blessed Sacrament should be left in the Tabernacle if no clergy or deacon is present.

Adoration is still possible.

 

[Angelicus]

In the rite for Benediction, there really is no opportunity for either priest or deacon to bless the incense before placing it on the coals in the thurible. At all the times I served at Benediction, we always had the thurible going as we processed into the sanctuary and we recharged just before each incensation.

Since you are inquiring about a situation in which there is no real Benediction, the incense can be used by the laity as any other sacramental. The only time I am aware of when incense is blessed is at Mass, and the priest himself places the incense in the thurible.

 

[tbtcom1213]

Incense used during Mass is blessed using the formula “be blessed by him in whose honour thou art burnt”. This is said as the priest places the incense upon glowing charcoal.

When venerating the blessed sacrament exposed in the monstrance with incense the priest does not bless the incense but simply swings the thurible with three doubles

 

[ElToro]

I know that a lay person is not allowed to give a benediction blessing with the monstrance, or any other kind of blessing for that matter, with the exception of blessing his own children.

I’m not sure however, if it is correct to say that a lay person is not allowed to incense. At least that isn’t what I know to be true but I could stand to be corrected. Is there a source of authoritative information on that?

I have incensed the blessed sacrament as the priest and deacon raise it during the benediction. I have seen this practice many times, lay persons swinging the thurible when the priest raises the monstrance with the humeral veil. This is common practice at the benedictions presided over by a priests of Opus Dei which I attend once each month. Many altar servers incense the priest before the reading of the gospel. I’ve also seen many priests invite members of the family to swing the thurible over the casket of a loved one at the conclusion of a funeral Mass.

**My specific question is, if a lay person is allowed to incense, does the smoke have to be blessed. Does incense have any meaning if the smoke is not blessed? **

-Tim-

Incense smoke has a great many meanings. The greatest of all is that of an offering to God. Incense smoke is not blessed – but the fire is before the incense is added.

There are many places where a layperson may be called upon to incense others. During the Mass they might be called upon to incense the celebrant and the other faithful in the absence of a deacon. They also might incense at the elevation of both species of the Blessed Sacrament – both at the Mass and at Benediction. Both are formally allowed.

When it comes to exposing the Blessed Sacrament for adoration, I just re-read the official ritual in Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass and there is absolutely nothing to suggest that a layperson approved (which the ritual defines) to expose the Blessed Sacrament (in the absence of clergy) could not also incense the Blessed Sacrament. They cannot of course give the Benediction.

 

[thomas_jd]

Thomas, thank you so much for the reply, and thank you for being a sacristan - truly a hidden ministry.

I know it would not be a benediction if the priest or deacon were not there. But suppose the deacon didn’t show. We have a novena with veneration of the relic and it includes a benediction. The kneelers are out, the relic is ready, and the thurible is red hot… It’s like five after the hour and the people are getting restless but there’s no deacon. Nada. No- show. Zip. Zilch. Nyet. The parking spot which says “Clergy only” is empty. Void.

What to do? I lead the novena of course. Off we go, “In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” “AMEN!” yada yada, and we get to the part where the deacon usually exposes the blessed sacrament and then incenses. What do I do?

Expose but not incense? Maybe sing the Tantum Ergo and then repose? Or do I expose and incense? I mean, the thurible is like two feet away from me, ready to go, red hot. The boat is right there, and the people seem to like the billowing clouds of second-hand smoke. I know I do!

I know it is not a benediction. Can I incense anyway?

In the event the clergy are not present, at a scheduled event, the laity should proceed
provided they are properly trained.
If you are following a set program, my personal favorite way of service, I see no prohibition
to use incense by the laity. I would check with the pastor first just to be on the safe side.
He should be in concert with his bishop on all activities and the proper method of all service.
As I said in my last post incense smoke rises up to God as prayers, no wonder the people, myself included, seem to " like billowing clouds of secong hand smoke".
Well put!

 

[thomas_jd]

a lay person is not allowed to give the benidiction blessing or to incense.

Servers are called to incense at mass, during Benediction, and during processions.

 

[Lapey]

Supoose a regular novena which also typically contains a benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, all led by a deacon. Now if the deacon were not present, a lay person could lead but could not bless those present with a relic, nor give a final blessing, nor would anyone ever presume that they should put on humeral veil and bless anyone with the Blessed Sacrament. So the benediction wouldn’t be a benediction, nor should it advertised or presumed to be a benediction.

But if the lay person were to simply expose the Blessed Sacrament in the monstrance for brief period of adoration instead of the full benediction, could they also charge the thirible and incense the Blessed Sacrament? Would it even make sense to do so?

I guess what I’m asking is, is incensing also a form of blessing? What about the smoke itself - it also has to be blessed or it is just smoke, right? Does it even make sense to light and charge the thurible and swing it if the smoke is not blessed?

-Tim-

Simple and short answers;

1. Yes a lay person can expose and repose the Blessed Sacrament in the monstrance, simple exposition, i.e. in no way appear to “bless” people with the Sacrament. Commissioning from the pastor of the parish where this is to be done is required. The minister should be an acolyte or at least an EMHC. If neither, the pastor can commission the minister for the event, but commissioning is a must.
2. Incense can be used by the lay person, but again this should go through your pastor. Everything you do in ministry of a parish needs to have the blessing of it’s pastor, without this permission it is always questionable to do. He may say no, get used of being disappointed every once in a while. He would probably tell you not to use incense, for the simple reason of removing the chance of confusion of the faithful. There is a big difference in adoration and benediction, it should be noticed.

Option; this is what I have done as a lay minister before I was ordained, with pastor approval of course. Before adoration, ten minutes or so, I would charge the thurible and add a little incense so the smell was prevalent in the church. Then while the Eucharist was exposed, I would hang the thurible on the rack in the church and add a little incense. Never did I “incense” the Blessed Sacrament as is done by the sacred minister in benediction. The sense of smell was tantalized but there wasn’t an opportunity to confuse it for benediction. How’s that for a compromise?

 

[Lapey]

Servers are called to incense at mass, during Benediction, and during processions.

This is true. But what Deacon Fab is referring to is this. There is a big difference between incensing as a part of a celebration with a sacred minister, bishop, priest or deacon, and being a presiding lay minister. Most pastors, my opinion and my experience, will not give the lay minister the authority to use the incense without an ordained minister present and presiding. Some will, but either way it has to be approved by the pastor. In my opinion, a lay minister, as the presiding minister, should not incense the Blessed Sacrament; this is in order to reduce the risk of confusing the faithful.

 

[thomas_jd]

The Blessed Sacrament should be left in the Tabernacle if no clergy or deacon is present.

Adoration is still possible.

That is incorrect. See Canon Law for a better understanding or read the latter posts on this subject.

 

[Lapey]

Supoose a regular novena which also typically contains a benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, all led by a deacon. Now if the deacon were not present, a lay person could lead but could not bless those present with a relic, nor give a final blessing, nor would anyone ever presume that they should put on humeral veil and bless anyone with the Blessed Sacrament. So the benediction wouldn’t be a benediction, nor should it advertised or presumed to be a benediction.

But if the lay person were to simply expose the Blessed Sacrament in the monstrance for brief period of adoration instead of the full benediction, could they also charge the thirible and incense the Blessed Sacrament? Would it even make sense to do so?

I guess what I’m asking is, is incensing also a form of blessing? What about the smoke itself - it also has to be blessed or it is just smoke, right? Does it even make sense to light and charge the thurible and swing it if the smoke is not blessed?

-Tim-

Tim, just a thought, I bet without much searching, you can find a deacon at a neighboring parish to help you with your event where this is an issue. There are many deacons that would love to help you make this special…just a thought.

 

[TimothyH]

OK, many good posts. I want to respond to all of them but there are simply too many.

@ElToro - I’ve pulled up Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass. Authoritative information. That’s what I’m talking about.

@Deacon Lapey - Thank you so much for the response. Rooted in real world experience, I can tell, and authoritative. Thank you. Also, we have six deacons. I think getting another deacon would only confuse matters. Quite frankly, each does the novena/benediction slightly different.

@Deacon Fab - Thank you for taking the time. the fact that you have done so means more to me than you know.

My concern, and the motivation behind asking, is that the parishoners who come to the novena to St. Jude, in my opinion, are some of the most faithful Catholics there are. They have placed all their trust in God to help them with hopeless cases and desperate situations, of which St. Jude is the patron. One day, I know, I am going to be standing there and the deacon will be a no-show for whatever reason, car trouble, sudden illness, whatever. And so I can lead the novena no problem, but even walking past the tabernacle to get to the sacristy sometimes takes my breath away. Who am I to be so close? And I have moved the Blessed Sacrament from the main tabernacle in the Church to the tabernacle in the chapel, and it scared me half to death to even be opening the tabernacle door. I mean, I was literally shaking.

I just want to do everything right with regards to the Blessed Sacrament. First of all, Jesus deserves my best. But the last thing I need is a parishoner complaining to the Bishop about liturgical abuses, getting the pastor all in trouble, because some stupid altar server (me ) thought he had the authority to do something which he did not. I just want to be reverent, that’s all, for the parishoners who come with tears to this novena every Thursday evening.

And I guess that is where the Deacon’s advice is so valuable. Paraphrased…

Never do anything which you do not have permission to do nor anything which would give the impression that you are taking on a role which you do not legitimately hold. And if there is a question of whether that it the case, err on the side of caution.

Is that a correct summation?

-Tim-

 

[Lapey]

Never do anything which you do not have permission to do nor anything which would give the impression that you are taking on a role which you do not legitimately hold. And if there is a question of whether that it the case, err on the side of caution.

Is that a correct summation?

-Tim-

You’ve got it brother Tim!!!

 

[thomas_jd]

This is true. But what Deacon Fab is referring to is this. There is a big difference between incensing as a part of a celebration with a sacred minister, bishop, priest or deacon, and being a presiding lay minister. Most pastors, my opinion and my experience, will not give the lay minister the authority to use the incense without an ordained minister present and presiding. Some will, but either way it has to be approved by the pastor. In my opinion, a lay minister, as the presiding minister, should not incense the Blessed Sacrament; this is in order to reduce the risk of confusing the faithful.

One must ask the priest for permission first as I stated in my earlier post.
I have never heard of the laity incensing without the clergy but I do not see this as prohibited.

The lower clergy are not to make these decisions yet more than often they do. It is the Bishops decision. I schedule many masses and many Benedictions with different priests and most that I deal with are lacking in proper Benediction skills!

I agree with the confusion issue ,. I have found this to be a matter of improper training
in the seminarys regarding Benediction by a cleric, let alone what is permitted by the laity!
As Benedictions and Processions are coming to the forefront, at least in my area, I feel that the proper rites will be be apparant to all.
No disrespect meant.

 

[FAB]

My specific question is, if a lay person is allowed to incense, does the smoke have to be blessed. Does incense have any meaning if the smoke is not blessed?

-Tim-

The smoke of the incense rising is a sigh of our prayers rising to heaven weather blessed or not.

 

[Lapey]

The lower clergy are not to make these decisions yet more than often they do. It is the Bishops decision. I schedule many masses and many Benedictions with different priests and most that I deal with are lacking in proper Benediction skills!

Many descisions are held to the local ordinary, the ones being discussed here are not. It is up to the pastor for these topics here on this thread.

The bishop would need not be contacted about Tim exposing and reposing the Blessed Sacrament for this event he is asking, only the pastor of this parrish. The use of incense is in the same boat…get it, boat? Punn intended…