Use of incense during Liturgy of the Word in Latin Rite?

[Micosil]

Hey, all.

I’ve been watching some of the EWTN daily Masses to get a feel for them.

I’ve noticed that when the priest proclaims the Gospels, he usually doesn’t incense them or anything.

However, this priest does. After the first reading, he blesses some incense and later on, after greeting the people and announcing what Gospel he is about to proclaim, he spreads some of the incense smoke over the lectionary.

Is this only done on certain days? Is it the priest’s preference when to do it or not?

 

[malphono]

The video showed the date Dec 28, 2014 which was a Sunday.

 

[Jon_S_1]

I would like to tag onto this question.

Most parishes in my diocese that I have been to, do not incense the gospel, nor do they have the altar servers stand beside the ambo with the candles during the reading. The only time I see the incense used is on certain holy days, but even then, the altar servers do not stand beside the ambo with the candles.

Are these optional things at the priest’s discretion? At the bishops?

 

[Brendan]

Are these optional things at the priest’s discretion? At the bishops?

Optional, at the discretion of the celebrant

GIRM

§ 276 Thurification or incensation is an expression of reverence and of prayer, as is signified in Sacred Scripture (cf. Ps 141 [140]:2; Rev 8:3).

Incense may be used optionally in any form of Mass:

a) during the Entrance Procession;

b) at the beginning of Mass, to incense the cross and the altar;

c) at the procession before the Gospel and the proclamation of the Gospel itself;

d) after the bread and the chalice have been placed on the altar, to incense the offerings, the cross, and the altar, as well as the Priest and the people;

e) at the elevation of the host and the chalice after the Consecration.

GIRM 133

“If the Book of the Gospels is on the altar, the priest then takes it and goes to the ambo, carrying the Book of the Gospels slightly elevated and preceded by the lay ministers, who may carry the thurible and the candles. Those present turn towards the ambo as a sign of special reverence to the Gospel of Christ.”

 

[DakiniArtist]

Excellent question. I love the incense but understand it’s used at our parish only on certain days in the liturgical year. And some folks are allergic?

 

[Phemie]

Incense use had greatly decreased due to a perceived increase in allergies. We use it at the Easter Vigil and at funerals. That’s it.

Now I know that it bothers some people. My daughter couldn’t serve if incense was used, it triggered her asthma if she was that close for such a prolonged time. If we sat at the back on those days she was OK. But there are some people who start to cough at the sight of the thurible. I’m sure if we cleaned it out thoroughly and Fr. swung it empty some people would still cough.

 

[Gorgias]

But there are some people who start to cough at the sight of the thurible. I’m sure if we cleaned it out thoroughly and Fr. swung it empty some people would still cough.

:sad_yes:

 

[Errham]

The use of incense during mass is optional, and at the celebrant’s discretion. Usually incense isn’t burned at weekday mass, except for perhaps in monasteries and very large cathedrals. Most parishes who burn incense reserve its use for Sundays and Solemnities, and a few only take it out for “major solemnities”, such as the Christmas and Easter vigils. Many parishes - particularly the smaller ones - make no use of incense at all anymore. Incense can also be burned at services of the Divine Office, particularly for Vespers, although this usually only occurs in monasteries and on Sundays and solemnities. Other times when incense can be burned include benediction, during adoration of the blessed sacrament, at funerals, and at the consecration of a new church or altar. That being said, it can also be burned on other occasions not listed as well, for instance at the Holy Sepulcher incense is burned during the daily procession around the church (although that’s been a tradition for at least a millenia, so it almost certainly got grandfathered in).

Personally, I love incense; it helps create an atmosphere of holiness and sacrifice that greatly enriches the prayer experience for me. I actually own a censer and a particularly large amount of incense that I use at home. Whenever I’m feeling tempted to sin, it brings my mind straight back to church.

 

[Micosil]

The video showed the date Dec 28, 2014 which was a Sunday.

Hm, interesting that you noted that. I will watch other Sunday masses and see if the same is done.

Optional, at the discretion of the celebrant

GIRM

GIRM 133

Hm, I see, so I guess that answers the main question.

Excellent question. I love the incense but understand it’s used at our parish only on certain days in the liturgical year. And some folks are allergic?

Incense use had greatly decreased due to a perceived increase in allergies. We use it at the Easter Vigil and at funerals. That’s it.

Now I know that it bothers some people. My daughter couldn’t serve if incense was used, it triggered her asthma if she was that close for such a prolonged time. If we sat at the back on those days she was OK. But there are some people who start to cough at the sight of the thurible. I’m sure if we cleaned it out thoroughly and Fr. swung it empty some people would still cough.

:sad_yes:

Wow, I never knew incense allergies could be so bad. I hope I’m not allergic to it.

The use of incense during mass is optional, and at the celebrant’s discretion. Usually incense isn’t burned at weekday mass, except for perhaps in monasteries and very large cathedrals. Most parishes who burn incense reserve its use for Sundays and Solemnities, and a few only take it out for “major solemnities”, such as the Christmas and Easter vigils. Many parishes - particularly the smaller ones - make no use of incense at all anymore. Incense can also be burned at services of the Divine Office, particularly for Vespers, although this usually only occurs in monasteries and on Sundays and solemnities. Other times when incense can be burned include benediction, during adoration of the blessed sacrament, at funerals, and at the consecration of a new church or altar. That being said, it can also be burned on other occasions not listed as well, for instance at the Holy Sepulcher incense is burned during the daily procession around the church (although that’s been a tradition for at least a millenia, so it almost certainly got grandfathered in).

Personally, I love incense; it helps create an atmosphere of holiness and sacrifice that greatly enriches the prayer experience for me. I actually own a censer and a particularly large amount of incense that I use at home. Whenever I’m feeling tempted to sin, it brings my mind straight back to church.

Yeah, I see, that’s what malphono pointed out before. I do need to see if other EWTN Sunday masses use it.

It does look awesome when they use it, it truly makes it all stand out and look holy.

 

[Gorgias]

Wow, I never knew incense allergies could be so bad. I hope I’m not allergic to it.

For some folks, it’s not even the allergy – it’s just the expectation of a reaction that kicks in, and without even smelling it, they already psych themselves into a reaction.

 

[Micosil]

For some folks, it’s not even the allergy – it’s just the expectation of a reaction that kicks in, and without even smelling it, they already psych themselves into a reaction.

Right, a sort of placebo effect or conditioning.

 

[Brendan]

I would like to tag onto this question.

Most parishes in my diocese that I have been to, do not incense the gospel, nor do they have the altar servers stand beside the ambo with the candles during the reading. The only time I see the incense used is on certain holy days, but even then, the altar servers do not stand beside the ambo with the candles.

FYI, here is our parish today. One of our Archdiocese transitional Deacons is reading the Gospel.

You can see the altar boys with the candles. In our parish, the candles are only carried during the Gospel, not the Readings.

The big screen is because our Archbishop had asked that a video homily be played at each parish this Sunday, in regards to the Archdiocesan appeal.