Insence In Catholic Churches

[kiobe]

Does anyone know exactly what kind, or kinds, of insence is burned in Catholic churches. I seem to remember it being burned around ash wednesday or palm sunday.

[Virgil]

Some information here:
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07716a.htm

and here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thurible

[Etienne]

"The word "thurible" comes from the Old French thurible, which in turn is derived from the Latin term "thuribulum". The Latin word thuribulum has the root "thur", meaning incense. The Latin "thur"is an alteration of the Greek word "thuos", which is derived from the term "thein", meaning to sacrifice."

That's quite a genealogy!

[Wintermute]

So by burning incense, Catholics are making a sacrifice? I wonder if incense was expensive in the early days. I went to a Catholic christmas mass several decades ago and thought the guys twirling the incense holders around on chains were the coolest thing--that and the candles. Apparently though, its not the individual, but the church making the sacrifice, because they paid for it.

[Thinkerr]

Yes, the incense they burn at catholic churches is actually pretty expensive. Anyone know how many times they burn it a year? Cause that has to get kinda expensive.

[papayahed]

In grade school we went to church every friday in addition to the major holidays and I thought it happened quite often. Maybe it was just during the major holidays or Holy Days of Obligation?

I always thought that burning incense was a type of purification, the priest used to walk around the altar and congregation swinging that ball thing, but I could be mixing it up with something else.

[Pendragon]

Yes, the incense they burn at catholic churches is actually pretty expensive. Anyone know how many times they burn it a year? Cause that has to get kinda expensive.Then if the incense is burned unto God for any reason, and it costs the people something they willing give, it becomes a sacrifice unto God. I am not Catholic or ever likely to be, but I see no reason why they should not burn the incense to God as they choose. Worship is worship.

God Bless

Pen

[Mortis Anarchy]

Yes, the incense they burn at catholic churches is actually pretty expensive. Anyone know how many times they burn it a year? Cause that has to get kinda expensive.

At my church it is burned quite a bit...I am Catholic, err yeah...but I'm no expert. Not year round, but at some point they begin to burn it before the reading of the Gospel and then before Communion, actually before it is blessed it is burned and kind of directed towards the congregation. I'll have to ask my Priest this weds. I'll also ask him when it begins to be burned, because I know it is not used the entire year. I want to say at the beginning of fall and then it stops...after winter....I'll ask.

[papayahed]

At my church it is burned quite a bit...I am Catholic, err yeah...but I'm no expert. Not year round, but at some point they begin to burn it before the reading of the Gospel and then before Communion, actually before it is blessed it is burned and kind of directed towards the congregation. I'll have to ask my Priest this weds. I'll also ask him when it begins to be burned, because I know it is not used the entire year. I want to say at the beginning of fall and then it stops...after winter....I'll ask.

During Advent and Lent maybe.

[Mortis Anarchy]

During Advent and Lent maybe.

Yeah, but it isn't Advent now, or Lent...and they are burning insence...I'll be sure to get the answer this week. I'm peeling potatoes for Homeless people thanksgiving dinner thing that my church hosts...so I'll most likely see my Priest...

[blazeofglory]

In Catholics incenses are burned and in Hinduism animals are sacrificed, Ritualizing religions often lead to perils.

[_Shannon_]

Incesnce can be used at any Mass-- some parishes use it ecery Sunday and Holy Day--some just during Holy Thursday, Christmas Eve/Day, and Easter.

It was originally used a--lol! okay I just saw the date on this thread...

people of all sorts, religious or not, use ritual throughout their lives...

[puppyshoes]

In my church, Orthodox Christian, we burn incense every service. This goes back to the early church. Long before the split between east and west. The incense is symbolic of the prayers being offered up to God. In the book of Rev. St. John sees the angels with incense crying to one another, "Holy, Holy, Holy" The liturgy or mass, is supposed to be worship. God said "I desire not sacrifice." The incense are the prayers of the Church being offered up to God. I hope I helped, I studied theology at VA Westlyan College in Norfolk VA.

When the Bible says "I desire not sacrifice." It's speaking of our sacrifice to God. He says the blood of bulls and sheep can't bring forgiveness of sin. Jesus sacrificed Himself. The Holy Communion is a sacrifice when the elements are sanctified. John6:54-56,"Whoever eats flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him." Like it or not it's in the Bible

[Niamh]

The Insense is Myrrh and Frankincense, two of the gifts given to jesus by the wise men in bethleham