Censer use at TLM

[Madaglan]

Do most TLMs make use of a censer (thurible)? Is it used only with particular kinds of Masses?

I go to an Eastern church, and we always are using the censer, during Divine Liturgy, Vespers, memorial services, and so on. I remember seeing the censer used at a TLM, but I wonder if it is used regularly during the traditional services of the Latin church. I know that some parishes that only have Novus Ordo Masses rarely if ever use the censer, so I’m also wondering if the censer is seen as more optional in the Latin Church, or if there are parts of the Mass that specifically call for censing.

 

[malphono]

Incense may used in the EF, but never at Low Mass (Missa Lecta) or at a “Dialogue Mass” (Missa Recitata). In former times (I believe prior to 1958), its use at Sung Mass (Missa Cantata) was by episcopal indult (which was almost always granted), but the indult requirement was removed and its used made optional at the discretion of the celebrant. From that time on, it has normally been used. Incense is required for Solemn Mass. It is similarly used at Solemn and Sung Vespers, as well as at certain para-liturgical services such as Benediction, and during solemn processions etc.

 

[corsair]

The Thurible can be used at a High Mass (Missa Cantata) but it is not required. Its is required at a Solemn High Mass and at the Pontifical Solemn High Mass.

BTW, in the Dominican Rite the term is “Dialogata”. Just a bit of terminology for storage.

 

[santamonica]

Incense is required at solemn or pontifical High Masses, and a few other special ceremonies, as others have noted; but most TLM churches won’t have the requisite clergy to have these functions on a regular basis. As a result, most of the time the use of incense falls under the domain of “optional,” so the actual use will vary from parish to parish or from priest to priest. Our former chaplain used incense only on the major holydays, like Christmas and Easter; our current chaplain uses it at every Sung Mass.