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Preparation of the Gifts Part 10: Incensation
The original Roman practice was to
burn incense in a brazier, which was carried in procession at the beginning and
end of the celebration as well as at the gospel. In the seventh century,
under eastern influence, the Incensation of the Gifts on the
altar was introduced.
By the 14th century, the rite was
fully developed with a blessing of the incense, an Incensation of the gifts and
altar with special prayers and gestures, and finally the Incensation of the
clergy and congregation.
Today this Incensation rite is
simplified and the bread, wine, altar, cross, priest and congregation are
incensed in silence.
Incense is a traditional symbol of
prayer rising to God (ref: Psalm 141:2; Revelations 8:3-4) The Incensation of
the gifts and altar therefore is a symbol of the Church’s offering and prayer
going up to God. The priest and congregation are also incensed since they are
to unite themselves and their prayers with the gifts, which will be offered in
the Eucharistic prayer.
The priest places the incense in
the thurible, blesses it with the sign of the cross. Then if
the altar is freestanding, he incenses it as he walks around it. If the
altar is not freestanding, he incenses it while walking first to the right
side, then to the left. If there is a cross on or beside the altar, he
incenses it before he incenses the altar. If the cross is behind the
altar, he incenses it when he passes in front of it.
The boat is the
small metal container that holds the incense to be put into the thurible. It
has a cover and comes with a small spoon. Frequently shaped like a boat
as it is a symbol of the Church, the barque of Peter.
Incensation usually occurs at a ‘High
Mass’ (a Mass where a Bishop or priest presides with a Deacon and
Sub-Deacon being present). Special solemn liturgical occasions such as an
ordination of a priest, enthronement of a Bishop or at the ceremonies in Holy
Week are all fitting occasions for the Incensation rite during Mass.
Stay tuned for the final post on the
preparation of the gifts next week.
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