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Gregory24
Guest
I have only seen a priest use incense once in my parish and that was last All Saints Day? Why is this?
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Br.Rich_SFO
Guest
Because many think it’s old fasion and “Pre-Vatican II”
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hilde_the_dog
Guest
I wish they would use it more often. We had one priest who loved it and used it at almost every Mass he celebrated. Well he left to join the Conventual Franciscan friary in Marytown, IL. I miss him he was in charge of RCIA and was ORTHODOX but loving caring and loved to answer questions.
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jay29
Guest
I think they should use incense as well. At all the cathedrals I attended mass at incense was used at all of them. Sort of makes the atmoshere more solem. I also think it should be a requirement at all masses.
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AltarMan
Guest
Mt ex-pastor (he just got sacked) used the excuse that incense smoke was carcinogenic. While I’m sure it is, I have never heard of anyone contracting cancer from using incense during the Mass.
There are more than a few people who whine if incense is used because it triggers their allergies. On the other hand, the Byzantine-Ruthenian parish I visit from time to time actually has boxes of Kleenex in the pews.
I do know one thing. After being involved with RCIA, perhaps 90%+ of those entering the Church long for the “smells and bells” they associate with Catholicism. It’s a shame both are supressed in many areas.
Finally I do recall serving Mass for a visiting priest a year or so ago. He actually brought his own incense blend! When I said “Oh! incense!, do you want me to set-up the thurible?” he looked at me like I was half crazy and said “how can you have the Mass without incense?” He was serious too…
There are more than a few people who whine if incense is used because it triggers their allergies. On the other hand, the Byzantine-Ruthenian parish I visit from time to time actually has boxes of Kleenex in the pews.
I do know one thing. After being involved with RCIA, perhaps 90%+ of those entering the Church long for the “smells and bells” they associate with Catholicism. It’s a shame both are supressed in many areas.
Finally I do recall serving Mass for a visiting priest a year or so ago. He actually brought his own incense blend! When I said “Oh! incense!, do you want me to set-up the thurible?” he looked at me like I was half crazy and said “how can you have the Mass without incense?” He was serious too…
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arieh0310
Guest
Carcinogenic??? Maybe if you hovered over the thurible for an hour every day. That is lame.
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shannin
Guest
We just had 40 Hours Devotion and the Priest used holy incense every night. I love it & wish it would be used more.
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Trick
Guest
Most every parish i have been to, use incense on a regular basis.
trick
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sententia
Guest
As far as the allergies go, most priests will offer one seperate for those who do have very bad allergies, but the rest will have incense. I don’t see any problem with that. I’m lucky, our pastor loves the stuff 
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slewi
Guest
My priest doesn’t use it. This of course is the same priest I had a conversation about the latin mass with:
Me: I love the latin mass.
Him: Eh…
Me: Don’t you think it’s more reverent than the novus ordo?
Him: No. That’s the one thing I don’t understand. People wanted the old mass back, and that’s exactly what Vatican II gave them. The priest always said mass facing the people.
This is from a new priest celebrating his sixth year of ordination. I can only imagine what they are teaching at seminaries…
Steve
Me: I love the latin mass.
Him: Eh…
Me: Don’t you think it’s more reverent than the novus ordo?
Him: No. That’s the one thing I don’t understand. People wanted the old mass back, and that’s exactly what Vatican II gave them. The priest always said mass facing the people.
This is from a new priest celebrating his sixth year of ordination. I can only imagine what they are teaching at seminaries…
Steve
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AltarMan
Guest
It’s not…
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AltarMan
Guest
The smoke is carcinogenic. I just have never heard of anyone in history being diagnosed with cancer based on the use of incense during the Mass.
Our parish uses incense regularly but that doesn’t mean every week. We didn’t use any on either of the All Saints Day masses I attended. But this coming Sunday we will have our annual “Mass of Remembrance” for all those who have died. I’d be very surprised if we didn’t use incense then.
As far as allergies go… I know our pastor is one of those who is very allergic and we still use it. (I’m not sure I’ve seen him PERSONALLY incense anything though. That may be a task he always delegates.) I also know we use one of those hypoallergenic varieties.
But even hypoallergenic varieties will make you cough. Those of us in the choir are usually frantically gulping water if we have to sing while the thurifer passes near us. We probably sing a few less correct notes under such circumstances.
As far as allergies go… I know our pastor is one of those who is very allergic and we still use it. (I’m not sure I’ve seen him PERSONALLY incense anything though. That may be a task he always delegates.) I also know we use one of those hypoallergenic varieties.
But even hypoallergenic varieties will make you cough. Those of us in the choir are usually frantically gulping water if we have to sing while the thurifer passes near us. We probably sing a few less correct notes under such circumstances.
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Celia
Guest
I wish they used it more often for sure. So far it’s only used on Christams and Easter, and when adoration is over and they put away the host. Oh, and funerals.
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AltarMan
Guest
Just who does he delegate this to? Hopefully a concelebrating priest or a deacon. It would be wrong for an altar server or other layperson to incense the altar and the Blessed Sacrament.
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paramedicgirl
Guest
The only time I have seen incense used in our parish (in 9 years) was at a funeral with our former priest. It is a beautiful and holy practice, but I think the reason it is not used is because of people’s allergies.
We have three regular permenant deacons as well as two senior deacons who help out on special occasions. Our pastor is unlikely to ever need to incense the altar or the Blessed Sacrament himself.
And just in case we have three or four more men in the deacon formation program.
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mgy100
Guest
Allergies… what a lame reason.
First, if you use incense made of PURE natural ingredients it doesn’t cause people to get choked up.
Secondly, if a tiny bit of incense is used, the smell and a bit of smoke will be present. However it does not choke out the congregation.
Kleenex in the pews? Never saw that. Just Priests/deacons who know how to train the altarservers on how not to put too much into the censor.
First, if you use incense made of PURE natural ingredients it doesn’t cause people to get choked up.
Secondly, if a tiny bit of incense is used, the smell and a bit of smoke will be present. However it does not choke out the congregation.
Kleenex in the pews? Never saw that. Just Priests/deacons who know how to train the altarservers on how not to put too much into the censor.
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AltarMan
Guest
Then you have likely never visited an Eastern Catholic or Orthodox parish.
Neither will use a “tiny bit of incense” to placate those with allergies. Instead they use plenty of incense as they have through the ages while providing the Kleenex as a courtesy.
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Elzee
Guest
I love the smell of a church that uses incense regularly…you can tell it from the second you walk in the doors!
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