Incensing the Gospels

[thomas_jd]

The OF Mass actually specifies more places for incensing than a High/Pontifical High EF Mass.

I spoke from my experience in my Archdiocese. I attend many, many different masses at different diocesian Churches. What is specified is often not the norm, pastors choice.
p.s. I was just asked to serve mass this thursday at a chapel in the cathedral, don’t think I will need the incense!

 

[Chatter163]

The OF Mass actually specifies more places for incensing than a High/Pontifical High EF Mass.

No, that’s not correct. They are exactly the same in terms of the points at which incense would be used.

 

[Wesley7]

Incensing the Gospels/Books is something I would do if I were a priest offering Mass\Liturgy.

 

[JamestheOlder]

Hello mardukm,
I love the ritual in the Catholic church. I often go and sit quietly in the back and marvel at the at the beauty of understanding. When I first saw the Gospels being incensed I was intrigued. So much so that after the Mass I asked the Priest. He said it was a visual sign that the word of God was being preached to the faithful on earth. The words and prayers of the faithful being carried up to the Angels in Heaven as is described in the book of Revelations 8:4 King James Version " And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand." The more I learn about the Catholic faith the more I love it.
Your Brother in Christ,
Richard.

What a wonderful observation by you, Richard! Many of us regret that we do not have some of the “smells and bells” today that do make up our memories of attending past Masses.
Thanks for your contribution!
Peace.

 

[SmokeRing]

No, that’s not correct. They are exactly the same in terms of the points at which incense would be used.

You are mistaken. OF: Procession/recession (technically not part of the Mass.) Altar/Crucifix at beginning. Evangeliary. Offertory – gifts/celebrant/any ordinaries/the people. Both major elevations.

There is no incensing of the people during the EF. There is also no incensing during the two major elevations

 

[Matthew_Holford]

You are mistaken. OF: Procession/recession (technically not part of the Mass.) Altar/Crucifix at beginning. Evangeliary. Offertory – gifts/celebrant/any ordinaries/the people. Both major elevations.

There is no incensing of the people during the EF. There is also no incensing during the two major elevations

Not at the recession.

 

[Jim_Roberts]

I went to a Mass at the local Cathedral Church here in the Philippines, and I noticed something that I’ve never seen done at a Latin Mass.

The priest waved incense over the Gospels before he read it.

Is this common in Latin Masses? Or maybe it is only done in cathedral churches? Or maybe it is only done in the Philippines?

---

This is done oso the Word of God is taken to heaven. In the olden days incense was used for everything; in fact, it is always used at funerals. It’s our praise going up to God.

JESUS I TRUST IN YOU

jr

 

[ciero]

Exactly. Is there anywhere in Catholicism that incense is used at EVERY Mass. So reverent and wonderful. I hope someone has an answer. Thanks and God Bless

YES! In the Eastern Catholic Churches! We even use incense at Vespers and Mattins…every day every service! You Latins don’t know what your missing.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

…___________

This is done oso the Word of God is taken to heaven. In the olden days incense was used for everything; in fact, it is always used at funerals. It’s our praise going up to God.

JESUS I TRUST IN YOU

jr

In the very old days, before embalming, the incense at funerals also had a very practical purpose.

 

[Phemie]

These days in my parish or shall I say years, one rarely ever sees a priest come out with the Thurible to incense the Altar or the Gospels. They’ve even stopped using incense at Funerals.

The reasoning…because many Catholics have health related breathing disabilities.
But these same people who complain still want to sit in the front pews.

So my parish has put a stop to incense use. I think its sad really to take away something beautifully symbolic.

Our last pastor had pretty much stopped using incense at funerals because he’d had complaints. We convinced him to start using it again unless the family specifically objected.

We know that allergies & asthma are a reality and we wouldn’t want to impose more on the family at such a painful time, but usually if they have someone on whom incense would have a negative impact they voice that concern when we meet with them. If they don’t say anything, we feel perfectly free to incense the body at the appropriate time.

For a time we were celebrating the Liturgy of the Hours weekly. We burned incense during that liturgy and although it sometimes became quite smoky, none of the women (yes, only women came to this liturgy) complained about it. In fact, it was one of the things they liked about the LOH.

 

[centurionguard]

Our last pastor had pretty much stopped using incense at funerals because he’d had complaints. We convinced him to start using it again unless the family specifically objected.

We know that allergies & asthma are a reality and we wouldn’t want to impose more on the family at such a painful time, but usually if they have someone on whom incense would have a negative impact they voice that concern when we meet with them. If they don’t say anything, we feel perfectly free to incense the body at the appropriate time.

For a time we were celebrating the Liturgy of the Hours weekly. We burned incense during that liturgy and although it sometimes became quite smoky, none of the women (yes, only women came to this liturgy) complained about it. In fact, it was one of the things they liked about the LOH.

Interesting; I don’t think it was just my parish priest decision to stop using incense as it was a collective decision with parish council due to a number of complaints.

I have asthma and allergies too which is why I sit a the back of the church in case I have complications I can get myself to the hospital without disturbing the congregation.
But even when the priest did use incense (a type that gives off less smoke) I had no problems. I can respect others who have similar problems as I do.

Yet there is a designated area in the church, a (Scent Free Zone) for parishioners who have difficulty with any kind of scents which include hairspray, cologne, perfumes, after shaves, etc for people who are very sensitive to many allergies. These same parishioners are sitting near the front close to the Sanctuary. .

 

[Chatter163]

You are mistaken. OF: Procession/recession (technically not part of the Mass.) Altar/Crucifix at beginning. Evangeliary. Offertory – gifts/celebrant/any ordinaries/the people. Both major elevations.

There is no incensing of the people during the EF. There is also no incensing during the two major elevations

You are mistaken. The people are absolutely incensed during the EF, and the Sacrament is indeed censed during the elevations. Rubrics call for both.