Does your parish use incense?

[Phemie]

I’ve often wondered how many of those who claim to be allergic to incense actually are. To be allergic, they would severely tear up, airways close, they get hives, etc. It would be quite noticeable that they are having an allergic reaction. You might say - well that is a severe allergic reaction - what about those with mild symptoms. To those I would say (as insensitive as this may sound) - just suck it up; offer it up as reparation and a spiritual sacrifice. How many just ‘don’t like’ the smell?

Some who complain definitely just don’t like the smell. Heck, I love the smell of some incense but the flowery stuff makes me want to heave, just like any flowery perfume does.

OTOH, asthmatics like my daughter do have problems when it’s used. It can depend on the amount of smoke produced and the distance from the source. She could sit at the back of the church but she could not serve if it was used. Fr. didn’t understand that, but I was the one who had to deal with her when she wheezed her way through the day so on special feasts he had to do without her.

In my present parish we rarely use it: funerals, adoration and benediction once a month, sometimes Christmas but not always, and the Easter Vigil. But when we had Evening Prayer we always used it. Unfortunately, EP didn’t catch on, even the priest rarely attended since it conflicted with swimming.

 

[SMHW]

Some who complain definitely just don’t like the smell.
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OTOH, asthmatics …] do have problems when it’s used. It can depend on the amount of smoke produced and the distance from the source.

I think that about sums up things.

Those in the later category will have a varying range of reactions, from mild to severe. Most of the people I know who have mild to medium reactions to incense (such as myself) don’t have a problem with it’s use provided they are not exercising a liturgical function (such as a server, reader, psalmist, etc) that puts them close to the source of the smoke.

(I know I would be a bit concerned if I saw an usher or a minister of Communion (whether regular or extraordinary) who was sniffling and coughing while handling that which I will be touching or ingesting. My first thought probably wouldn’t be that it’s the incense but rather that the person had some kind of contagion and ought to be home in bed.)

All of this is to say that I am happy to have incense but I think for a significant number of people it is good that there are some masses without it.

 

[hilde_the_dog]

Saturday I thought why don’t we use incense any more and then on Sunday - we had incense. Sometimes prayers are answered fast.

 

[daily_rosary]

Our parish uses it every week for two masses. One mass is free of incense for those who may have allergies.

 

[valient_Lucy]

Our parish uses it every week for two masses. One mass is free of incense for those who may have allergies.

I think that’s a good idea. I don’t want to punish people who genuinely are allergic and bothered by incense.

But for me personally, I always like when the Mass appeals to all five senses, and incense is a very good way to appeal to the sense of smell.

I also hope that the parish I attend most frequently will consider using incense of solemnities, since an elderly couple recently gave the church a sensor (sp?) in honor of their wedding anniversary. I think it would be very ungrateful for the parish to not make use of this couple’s generous gift.

 

[Phemie]

I also hope that the parish I attend most frequently will consider using incense of solemnities, since an elderly couple recently gave the church a sensor (sp?) in honor of their wedding anniversary. I think it would be very ungrateful for the parish to not make use of this couple’s generous gift.

censer or thurible

 

[jmcrae]

Few parishes around me seem to use incense with any regularity, or even during feasts. Does your parish use incense?

Yes, during the Christmas and Easter seasons, we use it quite frequently.

 

[Nicholas82]

The allergy excuse gives me a headache… and sneezing and a cough Take a Zyrtec!!!