Censer Usage [Edited title]

[M_Duran]

During the Mass, the priest incenses the Altar when the priest first ascends to it, and again, during the Offertory, to bless the bread and wine, the Crucifix and the Altar; how many times does the priest lift the censer during the course of each blessing? I’ve heard a number of answers and do they represent something, i.e. number of lashes inflicted on Christ? Also, how many times does the altar server raise the censer to bless the priest and the congregants?

M Duran

 

[Aramis]

Typically, I’ve seen 3 at each point…

I was taught (right or wrong, don’t know) that it is trinitarian… one each for Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

 

[DJJG]

According to “Cerimonies of the Catholic Church” three, double censures. I notice that most people usually do three, triple censures; but they are only supossed to be double censures. The book only give the rules of what each person is to do durring the cerimony, not why it is done that way.
This book is a must for anyone acting as the Master of Cerimonies.

 

[AJV]

During the Mass, the priest incenses the Altar when the priest first ascends to it, and again, during the Offertory, to bless the bread and wine, the Crucifix and the Altar; how many times does the priest lift the censer during the course of each blessing? I’ve heard a number of answers and do they represent something, i.e. number of lashes inflicted on Christ? Also, how many times does the altar server raise the censer to bless the priest and the congregants?

M Duran

• Thrice to incense the Blessed Sacrament, a relic of the Cross, the altar crucifix, book of the Gospels, the celebrant of the Mass, the choir, the congregation, civil authority in official attendance, images of the Lord solemnly exposed, the Paschal candle and the body of the deceased at a funeral Mass. The offerings at Mass cna be incensed either thrice or by making the sign of the cross.
• Twice to incense relics and images of saints.
• Once (but many times and continuously) to incense the altar.

Former legislation also included the number of times the thurible was swung each time

• Double swing - raise, swing twice, lower (repeat for number of times the person or object has to be incensed)
• Single swing - rasie, swing, lower (repeat for number of times the person or object has to be incensed)

This is often (at least, in my limited experience) observed by custom. I have also seen many priests who observe a triple swing when incensing the Blessed Sacrament.

 

[bpbasilphx]

I find this expression–“smells and bells”–to be vulgar and offensive.

It speaks of holy things in a disrespectful way.

 

[Rickwood]

I find this expression–“smells and bells”–to be vulgar and offensive.

It speaks of holy things in a disrespectful way.

I find your findings to be exceedingly offensive.

That expression is a time-honored one used by people who like the use of incense, sanctus bells and other allowed bits of solemnity within the Mass.

I really have no idea why someone would make such an inaccurate comment.

 

[bpbasilphx]

That expression is a time-honored one used by people who like the use of incense, sanctus bells and other allowed bits of solemnity within the Mass.

In my 30+ years as Orthodox, it was ALWAYS considered vile.

 

[paperwight]

I find this expression–“smells and bells”–to be vulgar and offensive.

It speaks of holy things in a disrespectful way.

Holy things? They are items used for a holy purpose, I grant you, but not holy in themselves. Where would it end? Holy benches? Holy hymnbooks? Holy missalettes?

 

[Rickwood]

That expression is a time-honored one used by people who like the use of incense, sanctus bells and other allowed bits of solemnity within the Mass.

In my 30+ years as Orthodox, it was ALWAYS considered vile.

I can think of a great many things the different orthodox state churches find “vile” when they are in fact not vile. They seem like a bitter lot for the most part.

Those same hypocrites continue (for example) to use the term “uniate” even though it’s considered offensive throughout the Catholic Church. I wouldn’t take their comments seriously.

 

[scylla]

Holy things? They are items used for a holy purpose, I grant you, but not holy in themselves. Where would it end? Holy benches? Holy hymnbooks? Holy missalettes?

I would agree with you, just by their very existence they are not holy. They are just ordinary objects just like pews, hymnbooks and benches.

Yet there is a big difference between incidental things and thos things that are used in the Mass and are in direct contact or are used directly with the Blessed Eucharist, they to be respected as they are made holy. Everything that is used with the Eucharist is to be respected and set aside as it comes into contact with Christ, Himself.

Now you make a great point, just because something happens to be there doesn’t make it all holy. Just because my shoes are close to the altar does not make them holy shoes, plus holy socks, etc.

There is a difference between that set aside for use at the Mass and incidental things like some matches I bring in to light a candle.

In Christ
Scylla

 

[Aramis]

I find your findings to be exceedingly offensive.

That expression is a time-honored one used by people who like the use of incense, sanctus bells and other allowed bits of solemnity within the Mass.

I really have no idea why someone would make such an inaccurate comment.

I love the use of incense, and I also find the term offensive.

It’s most common use around the boards has been derision of those going to the Eastern Churches, be they Catholic or Orthodox.

 

[Spirithound]

During the Mass, the priest incenses the Altar when the priest first ascends to it, and again, during the Offertory, to bless the bread and wine, the Crucifix and the Altar; how many times does the priest lift the censer during the course of each blessing? I’ve heard a number of answers and do they represent something, i.e. number of lashes inflicted on Christ? Also, how many times does the altar server raise the censer to bless the priest and the congregants?

I’ve also wondered about this. Thanks to AJV for showing the directives
It seems that the number of swings has to do with the relative holiness or honour of each “thing/person” being blessed. Doesn’t seem to be related to the number of Christ’s lashings…traditionally (with a small t ) i think that number was 39.