Should we use more incense at Mass?

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I personally love the use of incense at mass, however I do have to admit that it makes it hard for me to breathe. My wife is also allergic to it and often gets headaches from it, and it makes it really difficult for me to sing, which is bad when I’m singing in the choir, especially for a solemn mass.
 
I said no because if we were to use more incense than what our pastor usually uses we would have the fire department on location.😃
 
I say yes. We normally don’t use it, which is a real shame. I love “smells and bells”.
 
I say we should use “medival vigour” when plying the incense! lol Except that it makes it so difficult to breathe!
 
I think incense is beautiful, but I am allergic to it. I voted “other” in order to explain that the reason I would have voted “no” is because of my allergy.
 
No! We have plenty right now from my perspective. It is a lovely thing, but coughing and choking really makes it hard for me to participate fully in the liturgy and distracts other people. I sing in the choir and that is also more difficult on the days when they incense heavily at mass.
 
I say ABSOLUTELY. When incense are being used all 5 senses are receiving the holy spirit.

As far as the coughing and choking goes, I have seen people start coughing as soon as they see the incense being used. Sometimes I think it has alot to do with your head.

For instance, how is it that people start coughing all over the place, but the priest/ priests and anyone else around the altar seem unaffected? They are right in the middle of the concentrated smoke.

Total concentration on the sacrement will help you not to lose focus and keep your coughing to a minimum.:twocents:
 
Some people can’t help it - and I think most priests and altar servers figure out very quickly whether or not they’re allergic - and dare I suggest those who are might be the ones who rarely or never use it?
 
LilyM said:
Some people can’t help it - and I think most priests and altar servers figure out very quickly whether or not they’re allergic - and dare I suggest those who are might be the ones who rarely or never use it?
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I see your point of view as well… hmmmm…🤷
 
Yes! I love it when the big incensor is used, like the Pope does at times. There’s some mystical reason for it and it’s great.
 
I have to wonder about allergies to incense. Is it really an allergy or is it just that some people do not like it or are not used to it?

It is used very heavily in the Byzantine Churches and there does not seem to be that much of an issue with allergies.

Even when it is used in the Latin Church it is used in a more limited way than in the Byzantine Churches.

At a minimum I think it should be used at the Gospel reading and the offertory.
 
EDIT

I say use incense, but make sure that people know in advance so they can sit near the back of the sanctuary out of the line of smoke.

In theaters, if there will be smoke (special effect) or strobe lighting, it’s usually announced with a small sign at the entrance to the theater. Could the same thing be done in Church–use a little sign at the entrance to the sanctuary–“Incense will be used in today’s Masses.”

That way, the allergic and other susceptible could sit near the back.

One of the reasons why allergies develop is that people are not exposed to the allergan often. Then when they are exposed, ouch. Perhaps in the past, when more people smoked in more public places, and when cars gave off more smoke, and more people used coal furnaces and fireplaces, and factories weren’t as regulated, it could be that people were more accustomed to smoke and developed a lack of sensitivity to it. Nowadays, many are not exposed to smoke ever, and even a small bit of it is enough to give them a headache, make them wheeze and sneeze, etc.
 
I voted “I don’t know”, because I too have an allergy to it. But I’ve noticed a great difference depending on what type of incense is used! In my old parish, whenever they used incense I would cough, gasp, wheeze, and lose my voice for hours afterwards. (And once even had my throat close on me. Not fun! :mad: ) And this was when I knew ahead of time and took my allergy meds!!

But in other parishes, I have not always had the same problem. My symptoms were much milder and Benadryl took care of it. It totally depended on what type of incense they were using.

I really like the idea of incense, so I would love it if we could try to find more “hypoallergenic” incense, and warn people ahead of time just in case they need to take pills and such. (nothing like the “Oh dear, is that incense they’re bringing out? Where are my pills” mad-scramble-through-the-purse to ruin my concentration!) 😉
Tif
 
A quick question for those “allergic” to incense: What exactly do you mean when you say “allergic”?

Do you break out in hives, cough, wheeze, or what?

Or do you just have a non-specific “uncomfortable feeling”?

It seems like a lot of people have a lot of “allergies” nowadays, and it makes me wonder how the human race ever survived this long…

Garry
 
I wasn’t trying to make anyone mad with the “It may be in your head” comment. I was simply stating hat it seems funny that some people start coughing at the SIGHT of incense. That’s all.
 
After replying several times to this thread, I wondered if anyone knew where I could find the incense used during mass for home use? I thought it would be nice for my wife’s prayer group.
 
prof55 said:
A quick question for those “allergic” to incense: What exactly do you mean when you say “allergic”?

Do you break out in hives, cough, wheeze, or what?

Or do you just have a non-specific “uncomfortable feeling”?
Garry
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Let me think. I’ve broken out in hives once, but I usually cough, sneeze, and wheeze. I’ve gotten watery eyes, itchy throat, and headaches. And in severe cases I’ve lost my voice completely for several hours episode. And once, as I already mentioned, my throat closed all together for several minutes.

The fact that these symptoms nearly always respond to Benadryl and other allergy meds makes it pretty clear to me that they’re allergies.
Tif
 
I voted no, but my parish uses incense regularly…during the Easter season, and once a week when we do adoration at the reposition of the Holy Eucharist.
and of course at funerals.

The reason, I voted no is because when things are done all the time, it becomes too routine and people no longer find the majesty of the ritual.

Holy smoke is amazing, but like anything…when you do things to make that event special it is!
 
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