Incense

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The first time that incense was used at my church, that is, while I was there, was the January I was in RCIA. Someone had donated a new baptismal font, and the Archbishop had come to bless it. It seemed like a ton of incense was used that day. At the next class, the priest asked us what we had thought about that particular service. I popped out with, “Too much incense. It gave me a headache!!”

Last christmas, I was at my mom’s house, and she took me to the early morning mass at a catholic parish near where she lives. Incense was used that day, and she hated it!! She said that when she first smelled it, it was brought in with the processional, she thought the church was on fire. When she saw no one was leaving, she stayed. She later saw what it was when the priest was using it to bless the alter. On the way home, we got to discussing it. She wondered why something better smelling wasn’t used. I gave her the best answer I could, but how to explain something like that to someone who thinks the catholic church is a joke?
 
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deogratias:
Prayers at the foot of the altar are still part of the Tridentine Mass but originally these were not part of the Mass but the priest’s private prayers in preparation and were said in silence or whispered.
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He said that the NO removed them, not the Traditional Latin Mass.
 
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kamz:
I love the smell, I wish they did it at every mass 🙂
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Me too. Can they make a popuri of the scent. I Love it, I just don’t like the smoke.
 
I have only seen it our parish at a funeral, or at Benediction. At the Bendictine Mass I see it every Sunday. But generally no I do not see it and I do love the smell of it. At school when we have adoration they always use incense.
 
Oh yes! I love the incense! I have very long hair and the fragrance stays in my hair long after Mass, which keeps reminding me I was there. At my current parish, we only use it on Holy Days, but at my old parish in Seattle it is used much more often, and I find myself travelling there just to experience it again. Just like today, I’m going there today! 🙂
 
At our ‘main’ Sunday Mass there’s a procession with the choir to the alta. The altar is always incensed, as are the gifts and the congregation later in the mass.

This is a ‘new’ mass btw but it’s the most solemn of all the Sunday masses we have and certainly the most traditional.

I just can’t remember if it was used after the consecration today! But the acolyte kneels before the alter with the thurifer.

The thurifer is also left burning at the foot of the altar during and exposition and of course it’s always used in benediction.

I noticed today there were beams of sunlight shining through the incense onto the altar. It was absolutely beautiful!
 
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Edwin1961:
I know this might sound ‘less accurate’ but are there candles that are scented like incense?
Would like to know what brands can carry this type of candle scent.
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Not scented. We use candles made from pure beeswax which naturally carry a wonderful scent of honey. No need to add other fragrances 🙂

Regarding incense, I don’t believe there is a single service in the Orthodox church which does not use incense. We also use it during our prayers at home.At home we use powdered charcoal instead of those quick lighting charcoal discs. It lights easily and produces no smoke whatsoever, though it does take about 30 seconds to a minute for the burn to spread throughout the charcoal mass. Our powder is made from grapevine branches. I suspect that charcoal sticks from art supply houses would work just as well when ground into powder.

John.
 
I am glad it is only used now on Holy days I don´t like it at all.
In fact it was the reason I left childrenschoir (long time ago) cause I always fainted, same if we had to sit in one of the first front rows, I would always faint. Now on holy days I will sit in the last pew, so if I feel that I am passing out I slip out to take some fresh air.:o

Emmy
 
Christy Beth:
She wondered why something better smelling wasn’t used. I gave her the best answer I could, but how to explain something like that to someone who thinks the catholic church is a joke?
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I think the answer you need to give is that we Catholics are just doing what the Bible says to do. Ask your Mom to read the book of Revelation it really does describe the Mass. Also there is a wonderful tape called The Mass Explained by Father Larry Richards available at:
catholicity.com/maryfoundation/massexplained.html

I hope this will give your Mom an understanding of the Mass.

Peace
Adam
 
We only use it on special occasions, I wish we did it every mass. I love the smell of it. 🙂
 
On Divine Mercy Sunday, I attended a liturgy in a Catholic Church in the Polish Hill section of Pittsburgh. It was the most beautiful church and the most beautiful service I have ever attended. Gorgeous statues of saints and angels everywhere, candles, incense, bells, a wonderful choir, altar boys in red and white with red bow ties, Divine Mercy chaplet, benediction, procession of the Blessed Sacrament around the church under a canopy…I was in tears for the glory of it. I turned to my friend and said “now this is worship!” It was absolutely awesome. I’ll never forget it.
 
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Edwin1961:
I know this might sound ‘less accurate’ but are there candles that are scented like incense?
Would like to know what brands can carry this type of candle scent.

Go with God!
Edwin
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I want to re-ask this question.

It would be great if there were incense scented candles. Then the churches could have that scent 24/7 around the votive racks! Plus, have one or two around the apartment would be fantastic!

Go with God!
Edwin
 
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Edwin1961:
I want to re-ask this question.

It would be great if there were incense scented candles. Then the churches could have that scent 24/7 around the votive racks! Plus, have one or two around the apartment would be fantastic!

Go with God!
Edwin
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Here’s a link to a site that sells a scented candle that has frankincense and myrrh as an ingrediant:

aromathyme.com/candles.html

But to duplicate the exact smell of church incense in the apartment you’d probably have to actually burn it on charcoal. Here’s a home incense kit for that:

monasteryicons.com/monasteryicons/Item_Home-Incense-Kit_890_ps_dpr.html
 
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deogratias:
There are certain scents and sights and sounds that are “Catholic” to me as they were what I grew up with. Incense and candle wax are the scents I associate with the Church. Visually I associate the Crucifix, the Mary and Joseph Altars, the high Altar and steps leading up to it, the stations of the cross and kneelers. The sounds of sanctuary bells, organs and gregorian chant and the whole congregation praying the rosary together are etched in my memory.
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Thank You for the beautiful “word picture”. I say, “Me too”. Your description could have been of my church 40 years ago.
 
We use incense on Holy Days (Christmas, Easter, Holy Thursday, etc.). We use incense at ALL funeral Masses.
 
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ByzCath:
It wouldn’t be the Divine Liturgy with out the “smells and bells”.
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Unless your cooking kolbassy & kraut and frying cabbage for halusky for the Food Festival in the church basement… ;-)))
 
Our priests are very generous with the incense; it is used every Sunday and Holy Day.

(We also have bells, both sanctuary bells, and the huge, old outside belltower bells 🙂 )

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