Michael Brooks
A censer, incense burner, perfume burner, or pastille burner is a vessel used for burning incense or perfume in solid form. In the context of religious or spiritual ceremonies, especially in Catholicism, the term censer is used for pieces made for religious use. The vessel is often hung from chains and swung to distribute fragrant smoke during Mass, Divine Office, or Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. The burning of incense has been a prominent part of Catholic services, with the incense used to symbolise cleansing and purification.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Censer design
A censer is a vessel used for burning incense or perfume in solid form. They are used in many Christian churches, especially Catholic churches, as well as in some Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Anglican churches. The use of incense is symbolic of "cleansing and purification", and its fragrance is thought to represent "Christ's robe of righteousness".
Censers vary greatly in size, form, and material of construction. They may be simple earthenware bowls or fire pots, or intricately carved silver or gold vessels. Many designs use openwork to allow a flow of air. In some cases, the incense is placed directly on a heat source or on a hot metal plate inside the censer.
In the Latin Church and its Latin liturgical rites, the censer is often called a thurible. A common design for a thurible is a metal container, about the size and shape of a coffee pot, suspended on chains. The bowl contains hot coals, and the incense is placed on top. The thurible is then swung back and forth on its chains, spreading the fragrant smoke. The number of swings for each occasion is specified in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal.
In the Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Church, and Eastern Catholic Churches, censers are similar in design to the Western thurible but often feature a fourth chain that passes through a hole in the hasp, allowing the lid to be easily raised. There are often 12 small bells attached to the chains, symbolising the preaching of the Twelve Apostles, with one bell silenced to represent the rebel Judas.
Catholic Marriage: A Holy Union of Love and Faith
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Incense types
Incense is burned in Catholic services to symbolise the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven and sanctifying the ceremony. The tradition of burning incense in the Roman Catholic Church is centuries old. The incense is usually placed in a censer, also known as a thurible, which is a vessel made for burning incense or perfume in solid form. The vessel is often a metal container suspended on chains, allowing it to be swung to distribute the fragrant smoke.
The two most common types of incense used in Catholic services are frankincense and myrrh, which were two of the gifts presented to baby Jesus by the Three Wise Men. Frankincense has a sweet, citrusy, and slightly piney aroma, while myrrh has a rich, smoky, and slightly bitter scent. Other types of incense used include benzoin, copal, styrax, and opoponax, which are often combined with essential oils to create unique blends.
There are two main types of incense: direct-burning and indirect-burning. Direct-burning incense is burned by placing it directly on a heat source or on a hot metal plate in a censer or thurible. Indirect-burning incense, also known as non-combustible incense, is a combination of aromatic ingredients that are not prepared for combustion and require a separate heat source.
In addition to the type of incense, the design of the censer can also vary. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the censer often has 12 small bells attached to the chains, symbolising the preaching of the Twelve Apostles, with one bell silenced to represent the rebel Judas. In some traditions, this type of censer is normally used only by a bishop. The censer is also used more frequently in the Eastern churches, not only at Divine Liturgy but also during daily prayers and other occasional services.
Overcoming Sloth: A Catholic's Guide to Action
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![A-Premium Mass Air Flow Sensor Meter [5-Pins] Compatible with Audi A4 2009-2016, Q5 2011-2017, A5 2010-2014, A6 2012-2015, A3, Q3, allroad, Quattro Models](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61j2FNyKwOL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![A-Premium Mass Air Flow Sensor Meter MAF [5-Pins] Compatible with Mazda 2 2011-2012, 3 2004-2010, 5 2006-2010 2012, 6 2003-2008, CX-7 2010-2012, Protege 1999-2003, RX-8 2004-2011, MX-5 Miata 2006-2012](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/618FNVwUcFL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Religious significance
The use of incense in Catholic services is deeply rooted in the religion's religious and spiritual ceremonies. The burning of incense is associated with the sacredness of these proceedings. Incense burners, or censers, are used to ignite incense, and the smoke is often wafted through the air by swinging the censer.
The vessel used for burning incense is usually referred to as a censer, but in the Latin Church and its Latin liturgical rites of the Catholic Church, it is often called a thurible. Thuribles are also associated with the Western Churches, which are headed by the Pope in Rome. The thurible is typically made of metal and hung from chains, allowing it to be swung back and forth to distribute the fragrant smoke.
Censers, on the other hand, are used more frequently in the Eastern Churches, which include the Greek Orthodox Church and Oriental Orthodox Church. These churches use censers not only during their Divine Liturgy (equivalent to Mass) but also in their daily prayers and other occasional services.
The type of incense used in Catholic services is typically frankincense and myrrh, two gifts presented to baby Jesus by the Three Wise Men. The sweet and earthy fragrance created by burning these incenses is often associated with Catholic churches. The use of incense in Catholic Mass is specified in the Roman Missal, which outlines the timing of incense use and the number of swings of the thurible for each occasion.
The practice of burning incense in religious ceremonies has a long history, dating back to the traditions of Judaism during the time of the Second Jewish Temple. In a religious context, it symbolises "cleansing and purification", and the fragrance is said to represent "Christ's robe of righteousness", covering the sins of humanity.
Planning a Catholic Funeral: A Guide for Mourners
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Use in Catholic services
A censer, incense burner, perfume burner or pastille burner is a vessel used for burning incense or perfume in solid form. The term "censer" is often used in the context of religious or spiritual ceremonies, especially in Catholicism. In the Latin Church and its Latin liturgical rites of the Catholic Church, the censer is often called a thurible, and used during important offices (benedictions, processions, and important Masses). A common design for a thurible is a metal container, about the size and shape of a coffee pot, suspended on chains. The bowl contains hot coals, and the incense is placed on top of these. The thurible is then swung back and forth on its chains, spreading the fragrant smoke.
The Roman Missal, as revised in 1969, allows the use of incense at any Mass: in the entrance procession; at the beginning of Mass to incense the cross and the altar; at the Gospel procession and proclamation; after the bread and the chalice have been placed upon the altar, to incense the offerings, the cross, and the altar, as well as the priest and the people; at the elevation of the host and the chalice after the consecration. In Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and Eucharistic Adoration in the Roman Rite, incense is also used, and is required if the Blessed Sacrament is exposed in a monstrance rather than being in a ciborium. Incense is also burnt on the altar during its consecration by a bishop in the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church. The number of swings of the thurible to be used when incensing persons or objects is specified in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal: Three double swings: the Most Blessed Sacrament, a relic of the Holy Cross and images of the Lord.
The Eastern Orthodox Church, as well as the Byzantine Rite Eastern Catholic Churches and Eastern Lutheran Churches, make frequent use of incense, not only at the Divine Liturgy (Eucharist), but also at Vespers, Matins and a number of other occasional services. During funeral services and memorial services (Panikhida), the censer is swung almost continuously.
The most commonly used incense for Catholics and Christians is frankincense and myrrh, two gifts presented to baby Jesus by the Three Wise Men. Many people associate the smell of burning frankincense and myrrh with Catholic churches.
Fasting Fridays: Catholic Requirements and Traditions
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Use in other Christian denominations
A censer is a vessel used for burning incense or perfume and has been used in various religious and spiritual ceremonies since ancient times. In the context of Christianity, a censer is used in many churches, including most Catholic churches, as well as some Lutheran, United Methodist, Reformed, Presbyterian, and Anglican churches. In the Latin Church, the censer is often referred to as a thurible and is used during important ceremonies such as benedictions, processions, and significant Masses. The Roman Missal, a text containing instructions for the celebration of Mass, specifies the timing of incense use and the number of swings of the thurible for each occasion.
In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Oriental Orthodox Church, and the Eastern Catholic Churches, censers (Greek: thymiateria) are similar in design to the Western thurible, with a fourth chain that passes through a hole in the hasp, allowing the lid to be easily opened and closed. These censers often feature 12 small bells, symbolizing the preaching of the Twelve Apostles, with one bell silenced to represent the rebel Judas. In some traditions, the censer with bells is typically used only by a bishop. The Eastern churches use censers more frequently, not only during Divine Liturgy (equivalent to Mass) but also during daily prayers (Vespers, Matins) and other special services.
The censer is also used in the Anglican Ordinariates, where it is kept in constant motion during prayers. In the Dominican rite, the thurifer carries both the censer and the boat, which holds extra incense, in one hand. The Anglican tradition also includes a boat, but it is typically kept behind the scenes in the holy place rather than brought into the sanctuary.
The Melkite Catholic Church, which follows the Byzantine liturgy, uses an eastern-style censer with 12 bells, one of which is silenced to represent Judas. This censer has a shorter chain for one-handed use and is designed to stay open to allow oxygen to keep the coals hot. The priest, deacon, subdeacon, or acolyte uses centripetal force to prevent the hot coals from flying out while swinging the censer.
In addition to its practical purpose of burning incense, the censer holds symbolic significance in religious ceremonies, representing the sacredness of the proceedings and spiritual connection to a higher power.
Catholic Services for Suicide: A Comforting Option
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
A censer is a vessel used for burning incense or perfume in solid form. It is also known as an incense burner, perfume burner or pastille burner.
The burning of incense has been a prominent part of religious and spiritual ceremonies, signifying the sacredness of the proceedings. In Catholic services, the use of incense is symbolic of "cleansing and purification", and its fragrance is said to suggest "Christ's robe of righteousness" that covers the sin of humankind.
Pieces of coal are lit until they are red hot and placed into the censer. The censer is then swung back and forth to help more air get to the coal, and incense is then spooned onto the hot coal.
