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The Use of the Thurible
Incense is one of the richest signs of prayer and worship in our liturgy. We read about frankincense as one of the gifts of the Magi at the nativity of Our Lord. We read of the prayers of the faithful rising as incense in the throneroom of heaven in Revelations. It is a fragrant perfume offered to God.
Incense is made from gum olibanum, a precious resin from the boswellia carterii bush in Southern
Arabia. To this basic ingredient other spices are added to vary the perfume. The grains are burned on coals which are in the form of charcoal disks burned in the thurible.
The two components of incensing are the thurible and the boat which holds the incense and is scooped into the thurible.
Incense is used:- During the processional and to incense the altar and cross at the beginning of Mass.
- To honor the Lord at the reading of the Gospel.
- At the preparation of the gifts to honor the offerings, the cross, the altar, the clergy, and the people.
- After each consecration to honor the Lord at the elevation of the host and chalice.
After each action requiring the thurible it is taken back to be placed on its stand.
Cues and MarksProcessional
Cue Starting Mark Final Mark Action Music starts Baptismal font, front of the procession Corner of credence table, presiders side Begin processing down the aisle, carrying the thurible and swinging it.
When you reach the end of the aisle, bow of the head, walk around presiders chair to the mark.Priest and Deacon kiss the altar Corner of credence table, presider's side. Altar Server pew The presider and deacon will approach the thurifer. Hand one of them the boat (usually the deacon, but who takes it will vary, watch the cues). Present the thurible. Then hand the thurible to the presider. Gospel Procession
Cue Starting Mark Final Mark Action Second reader says "The word of the Lord" Altar server pew By the deacon's chair When the second reader says "The word of the Lord" retrieve the thurible and go to starting mark, carrying the thurible. Alleluia begins By the deacon's chair In front of the priest When the alleluia begins go to stand in front of the priest (give him space and he will cue you to come forward). Wait for his cue to present the thurible. Then go down the stairs to lead the gospel procession. Gospel Procession begins In front of candle bearers Behind the ambo Lead the procession progressing to space between corner of stairs and the EMHC mark, turn 90 degrees and proceed up stairs > loop to stand at mark (candle holders will take their positions followed by deacon/presider. "Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ" Behind the ambo about 4-5 steps Immediately behind ambo facing deacon Hand the thurible to deacon.
When the deacon returns the thurible swing it to create smoke behind the deacon as he reads."The Gospel of the Lord" Behind the ambo about 4-5 steps Altar Server Pew When the deacon finishes proclaiming he will give the thurible back to the thurifer. The thurifer will reverently turn to his/her left, walk behind the altar to the thurible stand, replace the thurible with the boat in it's stand, and sit in the pew. Offertory
Cue Starting Mark Final Mark Action Gifts brought to the altar Altar server pew Corner of the credence table, presiders side When the gifts have been brought up, bring the thurible to the mark. Present the thurible when cued. Return the thurible and boat to the stand when you are given back the thurible. Consecration
Cue Starting Mark Final Mark Action "Holy Holy Holy" Altar Server Pew Kneeling on Celebrant's stairs before the altar When the "Holy, Holy, Holy" begins, go to the thurible, add some incense, and go kneel in front of the altar on the celebrants stairs. You will need to choke up on the chain to swing the thurible while waiting. Elevation of the Body Kneeling on celebrant's stairs Kneeling on celebrant's stairs Incense the Body - "triple double" (2 swings, 3 times)
NOTE: This is usually only done during a solemnity (eg Easter Vigil or a Holy Day of Obligation)Elevation of the Blood Kneeling on celebrant's stairs Kneeling on celebrant's stairs Incense the Blood of Christ - "triple double" (2 swings, 3 times)
NOTE: This is usually only done during a solemnity (eg Easter Vigil or a Holy Day of Obligation)"The Mystery of Faith" Kneeling on celebrant's stairs Altar Server Pew When the presider says or chants "The mystery of faith" stand and walk the celebrants stairs around to the stand and return the thurible.
That is the last action of the thurifer during the Mass
Carrying the Thurible
If you are tall, carry it in your right hand, just below the top disk, fingers gripping the chain. You can hold the boat in one hand and the thurible swings with the other hand. If you aren't tall enough put the loop over your thumb and wrap the chain once or twice as needed around your hand.
Swing the bowl gently along your side. Do not overswing or the coals will spill out. Never swing it in front of you! Swinging keeps the coals alight and incenses the path.
To stop swinging lift your swinging hand up as the thurible is swinging to shorten it's path and it will come to a halt. This takes a little practice.
Presenting the Thurible- Approach the priest. Hand him or the deacon the boat. Lift the hand holding the thurible by the loop and with the other hand grab about 1/2 - 2/3 of the way down the chain and lift up. (Be cautious to not go too far or you will grab the hot part of the chain.) Then move the hand holding the loop down and with the thumb and index finger grab the rubber top of the thurible and lift up.
- Hold the thurible up so Father reach it easily, holding the rubber top of the lid. DON'T TOUCH THE METAL! It's hot and will burn you.
- Pull the lid up about a foot and push it to a 90 degree angle if you are strong enough or just lift it up.
- Hold it open while the priest scoops incense onto the coals.
- When he is done, lower the lid,
- Hand the top ring to the priest to transfer the thurible. He will take it as he is comfortable holding it.
Watch video
Handing to celebrant:
Incensing
To incense a person or object, face them and bow your head. Take the chains in your right hand about 6 inches above the bowl, holding the top of the chains against your chest, and raise the bowl to your eye level, never lower.
Have the chains running across your right hand, with the bowl hanging over the side of your first finger, secured by your thumb. You can then aim and control your incensation.
Holding the bowl well away from your face, push with your elbow and a little flick with your hand to move the bowl forward. It doesn't need to hit the chains on its return unless that makes it easier.
This takes practice!! Practice before Mass!
When done, return the bowl to your right side, bow to the person or sacred object and return.
Number of swings- Two types of swings - a single swing and a double swing
- With a double swing you swing twice and return.
- With a single swing you swing once and return.
- Celebrant or a group of concelebrants incensed with a "triple double" - 3 double swings.
- Deacon incensed with 2 double swings.
- M.C. and servers incensed with 3 double swings.
- At the benediction of the Blessed Sacrament or at the elevation incense with 3 double swings.
