Using the Censer in the Liturgy

[edrubbra2]

Whenever I have observed the priest offering incense during Mass or Benediction, I notice that he firstly holds the censer steady and gives it two swings, then lowers it and gives one swing. He then repeats this pattern as he faces different sections of the congregation.

Is there any meaning to these two swings level and one swing lower in using the censer?

 

[otm]

Beats me. I have seen three swings at mid level. I don’t know if there are any specific rubrics for how one incenses the altar, or the Book, or the people, or the Easter candle.

Anyone?

 

[Deacon_Ed]

There were, at one time, rubrics which covered the use of the censer, but those no longer exist.

Deacon Ed

 

[Deacon_Scott]

Here is the section of the GIRM on incensation. You can find it on Page 68 & 69.

*Incensation

*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 if desired in any form of Mass:

1. 
   *]During the Entrance procession;
   *]At the beginning of Mass, to incense the cross and the altar;
   *]At the Gospel procession and the proclamation of the Gospel itself;
   *]After the bread and the chalice have been placed upon the altar, to incense the offerings, the cross, and the altar, as well as the priest and the people;
   *]At the showing of the host and the chalice after the consecration.
   1. The priest, having put incense into the thurible, blesses it with the sign of the Cross, without saying anything.
   Before and after an incensation, a profound bow is made to the person or object that is incensed, except for the incensation of the altar and the offerings for the Sacrifice of the Mass.
   
   The following are incensed with three swings of the thurible: the Most Blessed Sacrament, a relic of the Holy Cross and images of the Lord exposed for public veneration, the offerings for the sacrifice of the Mass, the altar cross, the Book of the Gospels, the Paschal Candle, the priest, and the people.
   
   The following are incensed with two swings of the thurible: relics and images of the Saints exposed for public veneration. This should be done, however, only at the beginning of the celebration, after the incensation of the altar.
   
   The altar is incensed with single swings of the thurible in this way:
   
   1. 
      *]If the altar is freestanding with respect to the wall, the priest incenses walking around it;
      *]If the altar is not freestanding, the priest incenses it while walking first to the righthand side, then to the left.
      
      The cross, if situated on or near the altar, is incensed by the priest before he incenses the altar; otherwise, he incenses it when he passes in front of it.
      
      The priest incenses the offerings with three swings of the thurible or by making the sign of the cross over the offerings with the thurible, then going on to incense the cross and the altar.
      
      I know that I was “trained” differently, That a bishop receives 3 swings & the congregation gets two swings, but I guess this is the “official” way to properly do it.
      
      Deacon Scott

 

[Crusader]

Here is the section of the GIRM on incensation. You can find it on Page 68 & 69.

Deacon Scott

I’m glad you were able to provide the current rubrics for using incense during the Mass.

Personally, I appreciate the one-handed censer technique used by many on the Eastern side of the Church. They can really get those censers whipping around.

I also appreciate the bells that many eastern censers have. Most have twelve bells – one for each Apostle. Some have a dead (silent) 13th bell to represent Judas…