Would you prefer your parish use incense more often?

[Jegudiel]

And there will always be people who think that what they want should trump what is best for the community, based on the decision of it’s leader.

But, as I seem so often to forget, it’s all about me…

Who says your personal preference is “best for the community?”

 

[Luna_Lovecraft]

There will always be excuses not to see one’s doctor for medicine to help them cope with incense smoke.

And do you know what many physicians are going to say rather than write a script? Avoid the stuff that makes you sick. That’s exactly what my stepdaughter’s pediatrician has told us about everything from dog dander to paraffin candles to houseplants, all things that commonly trigger asthma attacks.

Rather than push people to medicate themselves or their children so they can attend Mass without needing to be hospitalized afterwards, or worse - judge us for not doing so - simply accept the fact that incense-free Masses are important for sensitive groups. Attend incensed Masses and leave us in peace to choose incense-free liturgies. If this idea is troublesome, perhaps speaking with a priest or spiritual director could clarify it.

Luna

 

[Jegudiel]

But to suggest that someone take a sleep aid before going to Mass is wrong. There is no excuse for it, NONE. YOU took it upon yourself to give medical advice to someone. That is not allowed here. In addition, you gave BAD medical advice.

Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine. It is used for red, irritated, itchy, watery eyes; sneezing; and runny nose caused by hay fever, allergies, or the common cold. It is also used to prevent and treat motion sickness, and to treat insomnia. I am not aware that it is ever used for asthma or migraine headaches.

I didn’t give any medical advice. That is a lie. I asked if they had ever tried or considered an OTC medication like Diphenhydramine.

“red, irritated, itchy, watery eyes; sneezing; and runny nose” are just some of the things people complain about when it comes to incense. You should consult your doctor is diphenhydramine is not right for you.

 

[Jegudiel]

And do you know what many physicians are going to say rather than write a script? Avoid the stuff that makes you sick. That’s exactly what my stepdaughter’s pediatrician has told us about everything from dog dander to paraffin candles to houseplants, all things that commonly trigger asthma attacks.

And? Actually I think many doctors would welcome the opportunity to advise on something like this.

Rather than push people to medicate themselves or their children so they can attend Mass without needing to be hospitalized afterwards, or worse - judge us for not doing so - simply accept the fact that incense-free Masses are important for sensitive groups. Attend incensed Masses and leave us in peace to choose incense-free liturgies. If this idea is troublesome, perhaps speaking with a priest or spiritual director could clarify it.

Luna

Rather than jumping to strip elements out of the Mass like the use of incense I think people should take steps on their own to limit the impact incense has on them. I listed MANY actions that could be taken.

 

[Oneofthewomen]

Who says your personal preference is “best for the community?”

I didn’t say that my preference is best for the community.
If you read my posts more carefully, you would see that no where am I calling for a ban on incense. I related a story about something that used to happened to me. My health issues are now under control, and for the most part (unless it is a cheap or an overly strong, woody scent) I love incense and wish it could be used more often. I also know that there are far many more people that are bothered by it, including one of our priests!! Therefore, the leader of our parish, the PASTOR, as decided to limit it’s use.

 

[Jegudiel]

This is all about the “me first” attitude of today’s world. Why have incense at Mass when I personally don’t care for it? Instead of taking actions to limit my exposure on my own I’ll go talk to the pastor to ban its use – all I have to do is mention the cancer word.

There will always be reasons offered for not attending Masses without incense. There will always be reasons offered for not sitting in the back of the church, away from the smoke. There will always be reasons offered for not working with your pastor to find a hypoallergenic incense.There will always be reasons offered for not offering to clean your parish’s censer. There will always be reasons offered for not asking your doctor for a medical way to avoid being irritated by incense smoke. The list goes on and on.

With today’s anti-smoking culture (a GOOD thing) it’s a relatively easy maneuver to rid any parish of incense. How utterly tragic.

 

[YoungTradCath]

Someone please lock this threadddddddddddd

 

[mommyof4]

Someone please lock this threadddddddddddd

My thoughts exactly. It’s like watching a train wreck.

 

[anp1215]

This is all about the “me first” attitude of today’s world. Why have incense at Mass when I personally don’t care for it? Instead of taking actions to limit my exposure on my own I’ll go talk to the pastor to ban its use – all I have to do is mention the cancer word.

There will always be reasons offered for not attending Masses without incense. There will always be reasons offered for not sitting in the back of the church, away from the smoke. There will always be reasons offered for not working with your pastor to find a hypoallergenic incense.There will always be reasons offered for not offering to clean your parish’s censer. There will always be reasons offered for not asking your doctor for a medical way to avoid being irritated by incense smoke. The list goes on and on.

With today’s anti-smoking culture (a GOOD thing) it’s a relatively easy maneuver to rid any parish of incense. How utterly tragic.

Calm. Down.

None of the posters you have addressed suggested a BAN on incense. What they have said is that there should be incense-free Masses for people who are allergic/bothered by it.

Why are you getting so worked up about that? The only one who is advocating a “me first” attitude is you.

 

[CB_Catholic]

I think it’s HORRIBLY wrong to eliminate the use of incense. Many actions can be taken rather than eliminating incense. A church can always have one Mass dedicated as “incense-free.” The pastor can note a week in advance where incense is going to be used so people can take medication before the Mass if they wish, be it OTC or prescribed by their doctor. They can sit towards the back, offer to buy some good and inexpensive hypoallergenic incense and they can volunteer to clean the thurible before it’s used for Mass.

Very rarely do I hear anyone talk about these or other measures that can be used to reduce the impact of incense to those who are sensitive. All I normally hear is the drive to eliminate its use.

Just out of curiosity, if you are so greatly concerned for your family, why do you live in a place with such poor air quality?

You know, this was an opinion poll and a civil one at that, and you have managed to turn it into an argument. There is nothing wrong with anyone having a preference or not for something, and they really don’t need to defend themselves for their perfectly legitimate reasons and choices. It was a very simple thing. Leave it at that.

 

[Jegudiel]

Calm. Down.

None of the posters you have addressed suggested a BAN on incense. What they have said is that there should be incense-free Masses for people who are allergic/bothered by it.

Why are you getting so worked up about that? The only one who is advocating a “me first” attitude is you.

I’m not getting “worked up” about anything. I just think it’s wrong for the first response to be getting rid of incense. There are many measures that can be taken but some simply don’t want to consider them. I suspect that’s because this issue is largely about controlling the Mass and not about being sensitive to incense smoke.

I suggest you take your own advice, “calm down” and actually consider some of the mitigating actions I mentioned.

 

[Jegudiel]

You know, this was an opinion poll and a civil one at that, and you have managed to turn it into an argument. There is nothing wrong with anyone having a preference or not for something, and they really don’t need to defend themselves for their perfectly legitimate reasons and choices. It was a very simple thing. Leave it at that.

I simply noted that there were other measures that could be taken when people are sensitive to incense smoke. The default should not always be to eliminate the use of incense but that’s certainly the way it’s been in many parishes for the last few decades. I think the anger some have shown on this thread stems from the fact that if they actually did consider mitigating steps other than banning the use of incense, the use would become more widespread. Something they may or may not like and either way they would lose a level or influence or control over the Mass.

 

[The_Curt_Jester]

No. Not because I personally don’t like it, but I know a fair few people with asthma, allergies and other breathing difficulties who likely would be adversely affected by it.

While I’ve heard of that, this is one person with asthma who isn’t affected by it at all. Incense smoke is not nearly as bad as, say, something from a cigarette.

I vote for more incense.

Also, how about this one: Mega Thurible

 

[odile53]

Nope. I’m allergic. As far as the wishes of the congregation are concerned, I doubt that they would want to be distracted by my continuous sneezing!

 

[Kevin812]

In the end it’s a pastoral decision that I am sure if we on CAF is an example of the Catholic world, we will happily discuss to the end of the ages with our priests and bishops.

We need to be considerate of others and if it comes down to a person being exiled from mass because of incense usage, then I personally believe you fix the incense problem and do everything possible to get that person to Mass.

 

[The_Curt_Jester]

For me, perfume and cologne are two things that really bother me a lot. I’m sure it’s not the same for everyone with allergies, but unfortunately that’s the case for me and people who wear the stuff like it’s sunscreen are a lot more common than use of incense!

 

[anp1215]

I’m not getting “worked up” about anything. I just think it’s wrong for the first response to be getting rid of incense. There are many measures that can be taken but some simply don’t want to consider them. I suspect that’s because this issue is largely about controlling the Mass and not about being sensitive to incense smoke.

I suggest you take your own advice, “calm down” and actually consider some of the mitigating actions I mentioned.

No, other people have tried to explain to you that they have exhausted other measures, and they would rather not take a chance on their own lives or the lives of their children, but would instead prefer that there be at least one Mass set aside that does not include incense.

But that is not good enough for you.

I’m not discussing it anymore with you. Goodbye.

 

[odile53]

Yeah, inordinate use of colognes is almost painful to be around, too.

 

[Jegudiel]

Has anyone ever seen an notice in the bulletin about incense use for a specific Mass. I have, at exactly one parish. What a great idea. How about advice from the pastor about sitting towards the rear of the church on those days for those who are sensitive?

How many parishes actually keep their thuribles clean so the caked-on resin doesn’t begin to smolder producing acrid smoke? My parish certainly doesn’t. How many pastors make an effort to procure natural, less irritating incense? Certainly not mine. When the sacristan was tasked to do just that she came back with the first thing she found on the web. Incense from Monastery Icons which is expensive, by no means high quality and non-Catholic/Orthodox to boot. How many parishioners have offered gifts of incense, pardon me, of GOOD incense? Not many is my guess.

How many would consider mentioning their incense sensitivity to their doctors to see if there is medical assistance available? I sure did. When I attend Divine Liturgy at a small parish with CLOUDS of incense I tend to get a headache. My doctor recommended Diphenhydramine which works beautifully for me. Sadly most seem to be offended by having to make the effort.

The default seems to be getting rid of incense and that is that. With sprinkler systems that people claim will “go off” and claims that incense causes cancer even when used as it is during the Mass (no such claims have been substantiated to my knowledge) I suspect incense use will large be gone in the Latin Rite in the USA by the end of this century, if not the decade.

 

[triumphguy]

I used to have horrendous asthma and allergy problems as a kid - before ventolin, beclaforte and all those broncho-dilators etc etc and I never had a problem with incense. In fact I found it soothing for my lungs. I also found the smell of hot tar beneficial - when road crews were working in summer.

My asthma was so bad I had 12 weeks of school in grade 7.

I was an altar boy from the age of 6, and was thurifer from age 10 onwards and am still here today.

I actually find perfume and aftershave/cologne far more problematic for my breathing than incense.

Sometimes if you THINK you’re going to have an asthma problem you have an asthma problem.