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blaskoman
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why is it that incense is only sparingly used? It seems that it is only used during certain Feast days
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Phemie
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I also wonder about that. We only see it at funerals and Easter. If you listen to the complaints of breathing problems whenever we uses it, I think I know why our pastor uses it sparingly.why is it that incense is only sparingly used? It seems that it is only used during certain Feast days
When we used to gather for Evening Prayer on the night when there was no Mass we always used incense. It added so much to that liturgy.
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LilyM
Guest
a) allergies and asthma - more people have allergies to more things (including incense) and asthma than ever before. For a lot of 'em it could well be fatal to be in an incense-laden environment.
b) expense perhaps?
c) other factors - the fiddliness of using it? risk of burns, risk of fire? insufficient number (or insufficiently trained) servers to use it?
b) expense perhaps?
c) other factors - the fiddliness of using it? risk of burns, risk of fire? insufficient number (or insufficiently trained) servers to use it?
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Cristiano
Guest
We have it every Sunday!why is it that incense is only sparingly used? It seems that it is only used during certain Feast days
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CarolAnnSFO
Guest
So do we – the usage is definitely not “sparing”!We have it every Sunday!
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Frosty
Guest
It isn’t ever used in my parish although it is always used in our Cathedral. I asked my pastor about it and he said that too many people in the parish had allergy problems. In fact, several years ago, there had been threats of law suits if the Church continued to use incense. Allergies to all sort of things seem to have increased a thousand fold over the years and accomodations have to be made for the sufferers even when it means that the majority actually suffers from doing without. Just like in the schools. If there is one child with a peanut allergy, none of the children can bring peanut butter and jam sandwiches for lunch in case the child with the allergy has a reaction. I don’t think it is fair but on the other hand, I wouldn’t want to be responsible for harming the health of another person.why is it that incense is only sparingly used? It seems that it is only used during certain Feast days
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bpbasilphx
Guest
why is it that incense is only sparingly used? It seems that it is only used during certain Feast days
**It’s not sparingly used in the Melkite or other Byzantine (Catholic and Orthodox) Churches! We use it every time we turn around!
The first recorded sufferer of the deleterious effects of incense was the Rev. Dr. Thomas Green, dean of the Anglican Cathedral of Ely in the 18th century, who stoped its use because it made his head ache.
I don’t think it’s incense as such that people feel ‘sensitive’ about. I’ve seen too many complain about incense who suck tobacco smoke into their lungs.
I’ve also heard stories about people going into hacking asthma attacks when the priest would walk by with an EMPTY UNLIT censer! (What does this tell you?)
There is at least one hypoallergenic brand, called Gloria.
And as more than one person pointed out, there are only two odors mentioned in the Bible in the hereafter: burning incense in heaven and burning sulphur in hell. Which one do you want to get used to.**
**It’s not sparingly used in the Melkite or other Byzantine (Catholic and Orthodox) Churches! We use it every time we turn around!
The first recorded sufferer of the deleterious effects of incense was the Rev. Dr. Thomas Green, dean of the Anglican Cathedral of Ely in the 18th century, who stoped its use because it made his head ache.
I don’t think it’s incense as such that people feel ‘sensitive’ about. I’ve seen too many complain about incense who suck tobacco smoke into their lungs.
I’ve also heard stories about people going into hacking asthma attacks when the priest would walk by with an EMPTY UNLIT censer! (What does this tell you?)
There is at least one hypoallergenic brand, called Gloria.
And as more than one person pointed out, there are only two odors mentioned in the Bible in the hereafter: burning incense in heaven and burning sulphur in hell. Which one do you want to get used to.**
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James0235
Guest
I typically attend a Mass where it is used every Sunday.why is it that incense is only sparingly used? It seems that it is only used during certain Feast days
I did not once witness incense used at Mass until I was in my mid 20’s. We’re talking dozens of parishes and many hundreds of Masses here. There is definitely something wrong with that.
I agree that one reason (maybe the primary reason) it is not used more often is because of asthma and allergies.allergies and asthma - more people have allergies to more things (including incense) and asthma than ever before. For a lot of 'em it could well be fatal to be in an incense-laden environment.
But, I personally have asthma and I say bring on the incense.
I too have read stories of priests “incensing” something and hearing coughs coming from all over the Church. When they finish they open the thurible to reveal no incense at all.**
I’ve also heard stories about people going into hacking asthma attacks when the priest would walk by with an EMPTY UNLIT censer! (What does this tell you?)
**
One local parish (St. Patrick in downtown Columbus, Ohio) uses incense every Sunday. According to the bulletin the 7 and 9am Masses are incense free and the 10:30am and noon Masses always use incense. On holy days they provide at least one Mass with and one Mass without incense. I think that is very sensible.
Another local parish (which I won’t name) NEVER uses incense - not even at Easter which I find a little odd. When a 2nd priest was all too briefly assigned there he would often use incense. And this would always be noted by the pastor at the next Mass who would mock the other priest’s “quaint”, “old-fashioned”, or even “pre-Vatican II” use of incense. Usually to be followed up with something like “But, of course, we know that we don’t need silly things like incense anymore.”
James
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belgianwaffles9
Guest
My former Church where i live never used it. My current church does, every sunday at their solemn mass.
At my church in college i have only seen it used during Holy Week, but i’m guessing they probably use it for Christmas and possibly some other Holy Days as well.
At my church in college i have only seen it used during Holy Week, but i’m guessing they probably use it for Christmas and possibly some other Holy Days as well.
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