Thank you to everyone who has sent in questions so far! There are many great ones that I have received that I hope to answer going forward.
Susan asked the question: “Can you explain the increased usage of incense we are seeing, as well as the proper response (Sign of the Cross or simply bowing) we should do when the the priest or deacon is facing the congregation with it (and, are we being blessed or purified?). Thank you!”
Thank you Susan for your question! This is a great and practical way for us to begin this series with as, yes we are beginning to use more incense here at Prince of Peace. Some of you may have noticed that at the 11 o’clock Mass each Sunday we are now using incense. This developed as we developed our server program. We have a tier built into the server program where we train them how to be the “thurifer.” A thurifer is the one who uses the “thurible” which is what the incense goes into to burn. As we were training the young men to be thurifers, they need to practice using it in order to learn how to do it. Thus we began incense at the 11 am Mass on Sundays.
The usage of incense dates back to many different religions as a means to worship and to offer prayer to their gods, thus it eventually made its way into the christian religions.
The purpose of incensing and the symbolic value of the smoke is that of purification and sanctification. The smoke symbolizes the prayers of the faithful drifting up to heaven: the Psalmist prays, "Let my prayer come like incense before you; the lifting up of my hands, like the evening sacrifice" (Psalm 141). Incense also creates the ambiance of heaven: The Book of Revelation describes the heavenly worship as follows: "Another angel came in holding a censer of gold. He took his place at the altar of incense and was given large amounts of incense to deposit on the altar of gold in front of the throne, together with the prayers of all God's holy ones. From the angel's hand, the smoke of the incense went up before God, and with it the prayers of God's people.”
We can easily see this symbolism of prayer and worship “rising” to the heavens in order to give glory to God. The sweet smelling aroma reminds us that there is something greater, that the Mass is not about us, but rather the glory of God!
At Mass, we incense holy things. During the entrance procession we incense the Altar of Sacrifice, showing that it is not just a table, but rather a place that we offer sacrifice to God!
Next we incense the Book of the Gospels before the Gospel is proclaimed as they are the words of Christ being proclaimed to us.
During the offertory we incense the gifts that are to be offered on the altar and the altar again. On our way around the altar, we stop to incense the crucifix, the sign of our salvation. After incensing the altar, the Deacon (or if there is no Deacon, the thurifer) incenses the priest as he is configured to Christ the Priest. While being incensed, the priest often calls to mind the intention that he is offering the Mass for and any other prayers he may have as the incense rises to God. Afterwards the Deacon (or thurifer) goes to the people to incense them, as having been baptized they are holy as well. As the incense comes to the edge of the sanctuary, the people rise. Having risen, the Deacon and the people bow to each other, and the deacon incenses the people. While being incensed, it is a great practice to call to mind the intentions that you have and the people that you would like to pray for. As the incense rises, so do your prayers. Having been incensed you bow to the Deacon again as he bows to you. There is no need to make the Sign of the Cross or any other gesture. Bow, pray, bow again. You are not being blessed or purified. You, having been baptized, are holy, and we want to acknowledge that reality at Mass.
The last and final place that the incense is used is during the elevations. Having consecrated the bread and wine, the priest elevates them for the people to adore and to venerate. During those elevations, as that is truly Jesus’ Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity, we incense them. As they are the greatest and holiest things that we have, God truly among us, we offer incense to them.
Thank you again Susan for your great question! If you have a question that you would like to submit to have answered, please do so at frandrew@popolathe.org.