Antonio Mcgowan
Incense has been used in religious rites since ancient times, with the practice being popular among Assyrians, Babylonians, and Egyptians. In Christian liturgy, priests use incense to symbolise sanctification and purification, as well as to symbolise the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. During Mass, priests will use a censer, or thurible, to burn incense and may also use a boat or container to hold the incense and a spoon to add grains to the thurible.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Censer, Thurible |
| Purpose | To hold incense |
| Usage | Priests and altar servers swing censers during Mass and other liturgical services |
| Symbolism | Sanctification, Purification, Spiritual Offering, Prayer |
| History | Used in ancient world, especially in religious rites; mentioned in the Bible |
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What You'll Learn
Incense burners
The use of incense burners is common in religious ceremonies and rituals, with a long history in ancient cultures such as the Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians, and Jews. In these cultures, incense was believed to have spiritual and symbolic significance, driving away demons and negative energies while invoking the presence of gods or a higher power.
In Catholic Masses, for example, incense is used to purify and sanctify, adding solemnity and mystery to the ceremony. The smoke is believed to symbolise the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven, connecting earth with the divine. During funeral Masses, priests may burn incense to honour the deceased and symbolise their prayers rising to God.
The specific type of incense burner used may vary depending on cultural and religious traditions, as well as personal preferences. Some burners are designed to accommodate specific types of incense, such as sticks or cones, while others may be more versatile.
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Incense boats
In the Christian faith, incense is used during Mass to add a sense of solemnity and mystery. The smoke is believed to symbolise the prayers of the faithful rising up to heaven, linking earth with heaven, and allowing worshippers to enter the presence of God. During funeral Masses, priests may also use incense to honour the deceased and symbolise the faithful's prayers for them.
These boats are used in conjunction with thuribles, also known as censers, which are the vessels in which the incense is burned. Together, incense boats and thuribles are essential tools for priests conducting liturgical celebrations and rituals that involve the use of incense.
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Thuribles
A thurible is a censer, or incense burner, that is suspended from three or four chains and is used in Christian churches during worship services to burn incense. The smoke from the incense is believed to symbolise the sanctification and purification of the faithful, as well as the prayers of the congregation rising to heaven.
During a service, a thurifer (the person responsible for the thurible) will carry the smoking thurible in a procession, leading the way to the altar. Once at the altar, the bishop or priest will cense it. The priest may also incense the offerings for Mass by tracing a cross over them with the thurible.
The number of points during the liturgy at which incense is used varies depending on the denomination of Christianity. For example, in an Anglican church, if incense is used during the entrance procession, it will be the only time during the service that it is used. In Eastern Orthodox churches, the priest or deacon will carry special Paschal candles at every censing during Bright Week (the week beginning on Easter Sunday).
The role of a boat boy or boat bearer is to assist the thurifer by carrying a boat or container of incense with a small spoon to add more grains as the thurible burns low.
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Censing candles
Incense has been used in religious rites and rituals for thousands of years, with the first recorded use in Egypt around 2400 BC. In the Christian tradition, incense is used during Mass to incense the altar, the offerings, the priest, and the people. It is also used to incense the crucifix and the paschal candle. During funeral Masses, the priest incenses the coffin as a sign of honour to the deceased and as a symbol of the people's prayers for the dead.
The use of incense in religious ceremonies is believed to have a range of symbolic meanings and purposes. In the ancient world, it was commonly used to drive away demons and invite the presence of the gods. The smoke was thought to be an intermediary substance between earth and air, connecting heaven and earth. The visual imagery of the smoke and the fragrance create a sense of solemnity and mystery, reminding us of the transcendence of the Mass.
The act of censing candles involves using incense to purify and sanctify the candle before it is lit. This practice is often done in religious contexts, such as in Catholic or pagan rituals. The candle may be censed with incense smoke or even with the flame of the incense itself. This ritual is believed to cleanse the candle of any negative energy or influences and prepare it for use in prayer, meditation, or other spiritual practices.
While the specific steps may vary depending on the tradition and context, the general process of censing a candle typically involves the following: lighting the incense, allowing the incense to smoulder and release smoke, using a censer or thurible to direct the smoke over the candle, and reciting prayers or intentions. The type of incense used can vary, with different fragrances and ingredients chosen for their symbolic meanings or spiritual properties.
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Censers
Incense has been used in religious rites since ancient times, with the practice being popular among the Assyrians, Babylonians, and Egyptians. In the present day, priests use incense to purify the coffin at funerals and to bless statues and images. During Mass, incense is used to add a sense of solemnity and mystery, with the smoke symbolizing the transcendence of the Mass, linking heaven and earth.
In Catholic liturgies, priests and altar servers swing censers, filling the air with incense. This practice is not just for show but is symbolic of sanctification and purification. The smoke from the incense also represents the prayers of the faithful rising up to heaven.
In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, censers may be gold with four chains and bells. During Bright Week, which begins on Easter Sunday, the priest and deacon carry special Paschal candles at every censing. The use of incense during this time symbolizes the resurrection of Christ and the victory over death.
The number of points within the liturgy at which an Anglican church may use incense varies. If used during the entrance procession, a thurifer leads the procession, carrying the smoking thurible. Upon reaching the altar, the bishop or priest censes it, either after the introit or during the "Gloria in Excelsis Deo." Incense is also commonly used during the reading of the gospel, with the book being censed on the left, center, and right.
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Frequently asked questions
Priests keep incense in a censer, also known as a thurible.
A censer is a vessel used for burning incense.
A thurible is a type of censer that is typically suspended from chains and has a single opening with a lid.
The use of incense in religious ceremonies dates back to ancient times, with the earliest recorded use from Egypt around 2400 B.C. It is believed to symbolise sanctification and purification, connecting to the idea of spiritual cleansing.
Incense is used in Christian liturgy to symbolise the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. It adds a sense of solemnity and mystery to the Mass, linking earth with heaven.
