Holy Smoke (does your priest use incense?)

[Justin1224]

We had a priest in my hometown parish for 6 years that loved incense. Before him, the priest we had only ever used it for funerals. I remember after arriving in the parish in July, when the Feast of Christ the King arrived, he informed me that he was going to used incense during mass. I was his main altar server. We used it alot:
Christmas
Holy Family
Mary, Mother of God
Epiphany
Baptism of the Lord?
Palm Sunday
Holy Thursday
Easter Vigil
Easter Sunday
2nd Sunday of Easter
Pentecost
Trinity Sunday
Body & Blood of Christ
Christ the King.

 

[Nicea325]

Every now and then I celebrate Mass at a church where the priest uses incense during the Mass. The liturgy is very reverent, sacred, and beautiful. In my opinion the use of incense brings out the mystery of the Eucharist.
When this priest first arrived at this parish a few years ago. Some of the parishioners started to complain when it became obvious that he would be using incense at every Mass. He handled this situation in an efficient manner on the following Sunday. He simply stood up at the end of Mass and told the parishioners that if they didn’t like the use of incense then leave and find another parish. That ended the dispute.
I’ve gotten to know this priest and he has become my favorite priest. He is the most orthodox priest I’ve ever met. His homilies are the best!!! His parishioners have a lot of respect for him and it shows. The only reason I don’t go to his parish is because I have obligations at my parish and don’t want to switch parishes (I teach classes and don’t want to give that up).
I’ve asked my priest if he would start using incense at our parish and he told me he would like to, but to many people would complain. He said he used to do it years ago, but some of the parishioners would get pissed and wear doctor masks in protest (probably liberals). He also said that one time at a funeral some protestant lady started to complain about her allergies or something and made a big scene, so he decided it wasn’t worth the hassle and quit using it.
I’m curious if any of your priest use incense and if so what has been the response?

Yep! My pastor uses incence and he is not about to stop because some have allergies. Try going to an Orthodox or Eastern Rite Mass and they use it a lot. I like the incense,I find it more reverent.

 

[cctabb]

In my parish it is not used often.

 

[Lepanto]

I’m assuming that many here have never attended an Eastern Catholic or Eastern Orthodox liturgy.

They virtually ALWAYS use incense.

 

[Cathryn]

The magi knew what would please Jesus. They offered Him Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh. Yes, my pastor uses incense, but not at all the Masses.

 

[canadiangoose]

Some of the parishioners started to complain when it became obvious that he would be using incense at every Mass. He handled this situation in an efficient manner on the following Sunday. He simply stood up at the end of Mass and told the parishioners that if they didn’t like the use of incense then leave and find another parish. That ended the dispute.

I love the use of incense…but this priest is out of line telling people if they don’t like it to find another parish. That is an awful thing for a priest to say!

I know that people start that automatic coughing at the back of the church as soon as the incense is lit. It’s silly. But for a priest to tell people to go elsewhere right off the bat…not doing the Lord’s work. Sorry…that’s pathetic!!!

I’m glad I don’t have a faux priest like that. I can just see it.

Jesus: I’m using incense today. If you don’t like it…get lost! Sorry if you have asthma or bronchitis or are sensitive to powerful fragrances…you just don’t belong in my church.

 

[ChurchTorch]

Yep! My pastor uses incence and he is not about to stop because some have allergies. Try going to an Orthodox or Eastern Rite Mass and they use it a lot. I like the incense,I find it more reverent.

I attend a Byzantine Catholic Divine Liturgy each week. We use incense several times during the DL but not big plumes like we do in the Latin Rite. We also don’t use it at all during weekday DLs.

Every week when it’s used we are all treated to the gruesome sounding hacks/coughs of an uber-traditionalist with emphysema. It almost sounds like he’s going to vomit-up one of both lungs.

 

[benedictgal]

My best friend, a prelate, loves to use incense. He’s used it for weddings, funerals, major days and even during Sundays in ordinal time. We would order incense that has the essence of chrism and it just smelled wonderful. When he uses incense, if the organ is not playing, he will chant something in Latin. It is magnificent!

 

[JKirkLVNV]

This all depends on the credibility and inner-authority of the pastor. It can be a big deal or a absolute non-issue. I love incense as well but it any priest said “if you don’t like the use of incense then leave and find another parish” I would think a lot less of him. That’s a petulant ego talking.

A far better response would be “the rite allows the use of incense and I deeply appreciate the level of solemnity it brings to the Mass. I also appreciate the spiritual and historical significance of its use. Its use rests with me, I have long prayed and pondered this matter and I am going to use it during Mass.” That said by a serious priest in a serious way would immediately eliminate the carping that sometimes comes with the use of incense. It also wouldn’t offend people.

Further, steps can be taken to mitigate some peoples’ comfort. The thurible and boat can be kept in the sacristy in some cases. The thurible needs to be kept CLEAN. Care can also be used when choosing incense brands/blends. It can also be used at some Masses and not others if your parish has multiple Masses. But to give parishioners a combative ultimatum like that? No way.

My pastor uses incense at certain Masses. People just know it wouldn’t do any good to whine about it. He does take the precautions listed above.

They don’t use incense at the local extraordinary Mass as it’s a low Mass where incense is not allowed.

This is a most wise post.

I can’t believe that some people equate automatically equate a discomfort with incense with being a “liberal!” Of all the uncharitable and ignorant things to say! Has it occurred to any of you that some people suffer from allergies and can be made ill by incense?

I happen to love it and wish it were used more, but in select masses (ie, always at the 9:00) and not in others (never at the 12:00 noon). I hope we have a regard for those who cannot physically tolerate it. They can show up for the ones where no incense is offered.

This priest in the original post ought to learn from one of the Holy Father’s title: “Servant of the Servants of God.”

 

[JMJ_coder]

I can’t believe that some people equate automatically equate a discomfort with incense with being a “liberal!”

Though, on the converse I can’t believe that some people automatically equate a discomfort with incense with being allergic to it. Certainly there may be a few who are actually allergic to incense, but by the sound of some people everyone is.

 

[asia53]

My parish only uses incense Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday. They also use it all 7 Sundays of the Easter season, they use it for the Ascension, Pentecost, Most Holy Trinity, and Chorpus Christi.

They also use it on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and on the Sunday of the Most Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, and Epiphany Sunday.

The only time it’s used during Ordinary Time is for funerals, weddings, or solemnities (e.g.: Solemnity of Christ the King).

Ditto for us. There is also a warning note in the Church Bulletin, when incense will be used.

 

[JKirkLVNV]

Though, on the converse I can’t believe that some people automatically equate a discomfort with incense with being allergic to it. Certainly there may be a few who are actually allergic to incense, but by the sound of some people everyone is.

Allergies are on the rise, due to a lot of factors that weren’t extant before or at least not in such a proportion as to cause problems. I’m not saying every sneeze indicates allergy. I AM saying that priest needs to be spoken to by his bishop.

 

[JMJ_coder]

I AM saying that priest needs to be spoken to by his bishop.

Did I miss some context, because the OP didn’t seem to provide any? What did this particular priest (I’m assuming the one mentioned in the OP) do that you feel warrants corrective action?

 

[JKirkLVNV]

Did I miss some context, because the OP didn’t seem to provide any? What did this particular priest (I’m assuming the one mentioned in the OP) do that you feel warrants corrective action?

From the opening post:

“When this priest first arrived at this parish a few years ago. Some of the parishioners started to complain when it became obvious that he would be using incense at every Mass. He handled this situation in an efficient manner on the following Sunday. He simply stood up at the end of Mass and told the parishioners that if they didn’t like the use of incense then leave and find another parish. That ended the dispute.” (emphasis mine)

 

[JMJ_coder]

From the opening post:

“When this priest first arrived at this parish a few years ago. Some of the parishioners started to complain when it became obvious that he would be using incense at every Mass. He handled this situation in an efficient manner on the following Sunday. He simply stood up at the end of Mass and told the parishioners that if they didn’t like the use of incense then leave and find another parish. That ended the dispute.” (emphasis mine)

I don’t see enough context there. There may be occasions when a pastor must say: ``if you don’t like _________, there’s the door, don’t let it hit you on the way out.’’

 

[JKirkLVNV]

I don’t see enough context there. There may be occasions when a pastor must say: ``if you don’t like _________, there’s the door, don’t let it hit you on the way out.’’

On a question of truth, yes (in fact, it should probably be done more often). On this question, to say, “Live with it or get out” is patently inappropriate. HE is the new guy on the scene, not the parishoners. He SHOULD be concerned about the welfare of his parishoners. As has been suggested, most parishes offer more than one Mass on a weekend. It would be, generally speaking, very easy to have one incense-free mass. Or more copasetic incense can be found, as has also been suggested. “Live with it or find another parish,” however, is wrong on something that is not a matter of immutable truth.

 

[desertPavel]

Every now and then I celebrate Mass at a church where the priest uses incense during the Mass. The liturgy is very reverent, sacred, and beautiful. In my opinion the use of incense brings out the mystery of the Eucharist.
When this priest first arrived at this parish a few years ago. Some of the parishioners started to complain when it became obvious that he would be using incense at every Mass. He handled this situation in an efficient manner on the following Sunday. He simply stood up at the end of Mass and told the parishioners that if they didn’t like the use of incense then leave and find another parish. That ended the dispute.
I’ve gotten to know this priest and he has become my favorite priest. He is the most orthodox priest I’ve ever met. His homilies are the best!!! His parishioners have a lot of respect for him and it shows. The only reason I don’t go to his parish is because I have obligations at my parish and don’t want to switch parishes (I teach classes and don’t want to give that up).
I’ve asked my priest if he would start using incense at our parish and he told me he would like to, but to many people would complain. He said he used to do it years ago, but some of the parishioners would get pissed and wear doctor masks in protest (probably liberals). He also said that one time at a funeral some protestant lady started to complain about her allergies or something and made a big scene, so he decided it wasn’t worth the hassle and quit using it.
I’m curious if any of your priest use incense and if so what has been the response?

My parish uses incense on feast days, ie. Christmas and Easter. I would prefer that it would be used more often. However, I would prefer frankincense and myrrh over “Damascus Rose”. “Damascus Rose” smells like burnt rubber when it’s first lit.

 

[CopticDeacon]

Hey i’ve only rarely seen Catholic priests use incense. But i dont receive. or even go to a roman liturgy often because i am oriental orthodox. but in our liturgy the entire church is filled with a thick cloud of incense about 10 minutes into the regular 2 hour liturgy i find it very calming and there’s never complaints or coughing. i guess we’re just used to it haha