Should we use more incense at Mass?

[GregoryPalamas]

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.

I certainly agree with you. Our pastor’s goal is to have as many deacons as they had at Hagia Sophia (14) who all used Incense throughout the Divine Liturgy. Given the pattern for worship set by Isaiah 6 and Revelation I do not understand how one can conduct a mass without the liberal use of incense. Anyway, I’m glad I’m not limited to a mass without it. My BC Church loves incense.

CDL

 

[SMHW]

Should we use more incense at Mass?

I think we should.

Well I can only answer for my parish. I think we use it just about often enough. We definitely use it on special occasions. And of course we use it for funerals and other rites which call for it. When we do use incense, we use A LOT of it. Well, unless it is the pastor. He’s allergic so if he has to incense something himself he tends to use it sparingly.

I don’t know that I am exactly allergic to incense but I do know that it tends to make my eyes tear up and close up my throat which makes it hard to sing. (I’m in the choir.) But I get the same reaction from perfume, cologne, aftershave, and scented deodorant. I even have problems if people’s clothing still has the scent from the detergent or fabric softener.

 

[GregoryPalamas]

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!

You mean like the “Eucharist” for example?

CDL

 

[stbruno]

If you mean that I think the Eucharist is routine…absolute not…The Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith, so it is never routine…but incense will become that very quickly especially if people are allergic to it

However, many churches have purchased non-choking incense, like this variety.
Trinity Brandhttp://www.zieglers.com/images/items/TI1.jpg

Trinity​

Brand, with a nice selection of Non-Chocking aromas.
​

ItemDescriptionView DetailsTI1Floral Blendzieglers.com/images/buttons/but_ViewDetails.gifTI2Forest Blendzieglers.com/images/buttons/but_ViewDetails.gifTI3Powder Blendzieglers.com/images/buttons/but_ViewDetails.gifTI4Somalian Frankincensezieglers.com/images/buttons/but_ViewDetails.gifTI5Ethiopian Myrrhzieglers.com/images/buttons/but_ViewDetails.gif

 

[OneAugustKnight]

I don’t think we should use more incense when we do use it, I think we should use incense more often though.

The priest at my last parish used incense about 30 minutes before Mass, so as everyone entered there was a faint sweet smell of incense everywhere.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

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.

Many people claim allergies for many things. Until one is tested for such we can really never know.

There are cases that I know of where people claimed such “allergries” so the priest use the thurible with out any incense and the person still had a reaction.
I will leave it at that.

 

[Cat]

A person may not have a true allergy, but may still be sensitive to a certain stimulant.

This would explain why someone starts choking when they just see the thurible. If you are sensitive to something, just the thought of it or sight of it can set you off. That’s a fact.

I often break out when I come into contact with latex, but not always. Not sure why it happens sometimes but not other times. I suspect it has something to do with my cycle, but I really have no idea. It’s not a true allergy, just a sensitivity.

I have a horrific allergy to strawberries. It’s been off and on since I was a child. I can eat strawberries and not be affected, then the next time, break out in such giant bumpy hives that I look like some kind of monster. So I simply don’t take a chance. I avoid any hint of strawberries, even artificial strawberry-flavored products. Not worth it. I’ve always dreaded having a blood transfusion–if the person was eating strawberries, I would probably break out. (It’s TRUE! I work in a blood bank part-time!)

But some people don’t believe me. C’mon, people! Why on earth would I develop a fake allergy to strawberries?! Cod liver oil maybe! Chitterlings for sure (sorry, very allergic!) But strawberries are so delicious! I’m not faking it, really.

I don’t think anyone should scoff at someone’s else’s physical weakness. I’m sure many people who get sneezy around incense would love to be able to stand in a cloud of incense and not be affected. There’s no gain in being sensitive or allergic to incense. They can’t help it. Give people the benefit of the doubt.

These days, a lot of allergies are popping up that weren’t a problem in the past (e.g., peanuts). Who knows why people are more sensitive nowadays? It could have something to do with less exposure so people don’t get desensitized early in life. It could have something to do with our modern diets, lack of exposure to the sun, chemicals in our foods and meds, etc. Who knows?

I just don’t think we should scoff or doubt when people say they have a physical weakness.

 

[MichiganTrumbul]

Greetings!

Yes, absolutely more incense - and more often too. The imagery from Revelation of the rising incense representing the prayers of the saints is invaluable.

How much incense? Well, if the sanctuary looks like Los Angeles on a really bad day, that’s enough!

MT

 

[Cavaille-Coll]

It seems that the incense that bothers the most people is the type that has bits of wood or sawdust in it. The Eastern Rite/Orthodox incenses come in a wide variety of aromas and generally produce a floral-type odor with less smoke. In their tradition, where incense is used several times at every Divine Liturgy, the “flavor” changes with each liturgical season.

As far as allergies go, some people are genuinely allergic to incense, but others have been conditioned to react to smoke of any kind. I knew of a priest who walked down the aisle before Mass while swinging a thurible. A number of people began coughing as soon as they saw him, but when he reached the altar, he opened the thurible and showed them that it was empty. One little Ruthenian parish I attended met in a converted garage, which quickly filled with more smoke than a 1970’s public school teachers’ lounge, but nobody seemed to suffer from it. Perhaps they’re immune to it?

 

[CarolAnnSFO]

One little Ruthenian parish I attended met in a converted garage, which quickly filled with more smoke than a 1970’s public school teachers’ lounge, but nobody seemed to suffer from it. Perhaps they’re immune to it?

Maybe those people with the worst allergies chose to go to Mass elsewhere.

In my parish, if you’re allergic to incense, you could always go to the 8 AM Mass; I don’t think incense is used at that one.

Alternately, you could join the choir. We’re in the loft, all the way in the back, and way up in the “sky”; the incense generally doesn’t reach us. Too bad, because I like the scent.

 

[Anne1964]

If our Msgr. used any more incense we would all have to wear gas masks. Occasionally he gets really carried away and the organist and altar boys begin coughing through the cloud of smoke.

I love the incense and our church always has that “Catholic smell.”

As for allergies, my husband is allergic to many perfumes and scents. I have seen him become so nauseated just from walking by a Yankee Candle store in the mall he nearly vomited. Some people are just more sensitive to that stuff than others.

 

[CarrieH]

I love incense, but not too much. We had one priest who went way overboard with it, to the point that the air near the ceiling was blue. They had enough complaints from people with respiratory problems that now they post in the bulletin which Masses will have incense and which won’t.

For those who think that reactions to incense may be all in somebody’s head, I bought some incense and used it at home, and one of my cats reacted to it. He wouldn’t have known beforehand that it was an irritant, but the poor beastie coughed and sneezed and wheezed for quite some time even after I aired out the room.

 

[NewUlm1976_2000]

No, my mother and others are allergic to it. I even had a cousin faint because if it on a hot summer day in church while visiting them.

 

[lak611]

Maybe those people with the worst allergies chose to go to Mass elsewhere.

In my parish, if you’re allergic to incense, you could always go to the 8 AM Mass; I don’t think incense is used at that one.

Alternately, you could join the choir. We’re in the loft, all the way in the back, and way up in the “sky”; the incense generally doesn’t reach us. Too bad, because I like the scent.

In many parishes, there is no choir loft; also, the choir tends to be at the same Mass that uses the incense.

 

[Gardening_Mommy]

I bought frankincense when I was in the Middle East. If you don’t use the coals, it is less likely to make you choke. (I melt mine on top of a light bulb; it’s just enough to cook the smell into smoke, but doesn’ t bother my husband’s asthma. Smithsonian) magazine had an article on it years ago with the suggestion.) Unfortunately, I think they always use coals in the bottom of the braziers.

Our parish is served by Benedictines from Pennsylvania. Especially at Christmas and Easter, after the priest has incensed the altar, the book of the Gospels, and the Easter candle, the congregation is incensed. First, Brother and Father bow to each other, then incense each other. Then, Brother comes out to the edge of the altar platform, bows to the congregation (we bow back), and incenses in the general direction of each section of pews (semi-cruciform church), and we all bow again. Beautiful!

Incense in moderation, semi-regularly is great! (one time I went to the National Shrine in D.C., however, even I thought it was too much! I love incense, and even my eyes were watering.)

I think I’m going to go turn on the “prayer lamp”, burn some incense, pray for all of y’all, and get off this computer before it gets any later!