Comments like this smack of arrogance to me!
I get a similar feeling when the first action is to ban incense before taking any other measures.
If you have never had trouble breathing due to asthma or some other disorder, to be quite honest, you don’t know what you are talking about. There was a time when I thought I would have to miss the funeral Mass of a dear friend because of the incense used by the parish. Even my prescription strength medications could not prevent the asthma attack I had at her husband’s funeral Mass, and I nearly had to go to the hospitial to get it under control. So sorry, a little OTC Benedryl is not going to help me!
See your doctor. I am sure there is something that would aid you.
I find that incense,
good incense, does not bother me as much now as it once did, however not every parish uses “good incense” as it can be quite expensive
Actually it can also be quite cheap. Go onto eBay and look for “white copal.” It’s pure natural resin that makes lush smoke that is very easy on those with allergies. Far less harsh and irritating than either Frankincense or Myrrh. It’s much, much better than the perfumed solvent-sprayed wood chips most people pay good money for as “incense.”
When I worked for a liturgy director, I ordered church supplies.
The incense that we used was nice & light and just about everyone could tolerate it. It was quite expensive (about $35 for a 16oz can)and just with funerals, we went through about a can about every 6 weeks to 2 months.
You didn’t understand and/or shop for incense in that case. I’m not sure what a “liturgy director” is but anyone spending a parish’s money on liturgical supplies needs to be knowledgeable of what’s out there.
If we used it at every Sunday Mass (we had 3 of them) our use would have tripled, which would amount to about $420 a year, just for the incense. That does not include the charcoal or the maintenance of the censer (chains on these break all the time) and the time it take to clean & maintain the censer & stand (again, things that must be done regularly if incense is used regularly). So, in the grand scheme of things, most pastors around these parts only use it for funerals and/or special occaisions.
See above. The cost is an absolute non-issue for those who do their homework. White and Gold Copal is used throughout the Americas, including some very poor Catholic communities.
www.SmellsBells.com
And to you Jegudiel,
If you want incense so bad, talk to your pastor, and volunteer to pay for it, and to keep everything in good order! And please, have a little charity for others!
What makes you suggest that I don’t already buy incense for my parish? Charity? In any event I think it’s YOU that needs to practice some charity – and some homework!