Proficiency with the thurible

[Phemie]

Today I assisted at a funeral and had to prepare the thurible for Father to incense the casket. As he started to swing it without lowering the cover, I feared the charcoal would go flying. But then I realized I was watching a master.

He’s bi-ritual Greek Catholic by way of the Russian Orthodox Church so no stranger to incense. After Mass he smiled when I told him he handled incense better than anyone I’d seen before. Then I asked about the lilt in his voice as he’s reciting the prayers. You can so tell he wants to chant rather than recite. I wondered if he was allowed to celebrate his rite for us and that’s when he explained that he’d require the Bishop’s permission, something I should have realized if I’d given it more thought.

 

[Solomonson]

Today I assisted at a funeral and had to prepare the thurible for Father to incense the casket. As he started to swing it without lowering the cover, I feared the charcoal would go flying. But then I realized I was watching a master.

He’s bi-ritual Greek Catholic by way of the Russian Orthodox Church so no stranger to incense. After Mass he smiled when I told him he handled incense better than anyone I’d seen before. Then I asked about the lilt in his voice as he’s reciting the prayers. You can so tell he wants to chant rather than recite. I wondered if he was allowed to celebrate his rite for us and that’s when he explained that he’d require the Bishop’s permission, something I should have realized if I’d given it more thought.

Many Eastern Catholic priests handle the thurible with great skill – often one handed. Centrifugal force keeps the charcoal and incense in place for those that know what they’re doing.

The chains on censers used in the East are also shorter, allowing better control. One thing I really like about Eastern censers is that many have bells on their center chains. They exist to keep the attention of the laity. Many have 13 bells – one for each of the Apostles including one that does not ring to signify Judas.

 

[Bonnie]

We once had a priest who was less than proficient - there’s still a square of carpet of a slightly different shade from the repair.

 

[babochka]

Today I assisted at a funeral and had to prepare the thurible for Father to incense the casket. As he started to swing it without lowering the cover, I feared the charcoal would go flying. But then I realized I was watching a master.

He’s bi-ritual Greek Catholic by way of the Russian Orthodox Church so no stranger to incense. After Mass he smiled when I told him he handled incense better than anyone I’d seen before. Then I asked about the lilt in his voice as he’s reciting the prayers. You can so tell he wants to chant rather than recite. I wondered if he was allowed to celebrate his rite for us and that’s when he explained that he’d require the Bishop’s permission, something I should have realized if I’d given it more thought.

I know a Ukrainian Catholic priest who is amazing with a censor. He twirls it and spins it and never misses a beat. It is a delight (and sometimes a bit of a distraction) to watch him. I wish I could find a video of him in action. There used to be one posted online, but it looks like it isn’t available anymore.

As for your priest, maybe he could do an Adult Education series for the parish on the history of the Church and include a Divine Liturgy as part of the class. With the permission of the bishop, of course. It sounds as if he would enjoy the opportunity. He could always chant the Mass, too.