What is the Catholic ritual called when the priest walks down the isle swinging Incense?

K

Kelly804

New member
I am Southern Baptist - not Catholic. But I'm taking a religion in film class and don't know what this Catholic ritual is called.

The Film is "Keeping the Faith".

The question is:
"What Catholic Ritual causes problems for Brian (the priest)?"

The priest is walking down the isle in mass, swinging this little ball on a chain with smoke coming out of it. What is this ritual called?

He ends up hitting someone in the head with it and catches himself on fire.

Thanks for the Help!
 
An aromatic substance which is obtained from certain resinous trees and largely employed for purposes of religious worship.

Incense, with its sweet-smelling perfume and high-ascending smoke, is typical of the good Christian's prayer, which, enkindled in the heart by the fire of God's love and exhaling the odour of Christ, rises up a pleasing offering in His sight (cf. Amalarius, "De eccles. officiis" in P.L., CV). Incensing is the act of imparting the odour of incense. The censer is held in the right hand at the height of the breast, and grasped by the chain near the cover; the left hand, holding the top of the chain, is placed on the breast. The censer is then raised upwards to the height of the eyes, given an outward motion and slightly ascending towards the object to be incensed, and at once brought back to the starting point. This constitutes a single swing. For a double swing the outward motion should be repeated, the second movement being more pronounced than the first. The dignity of the person or thing will determine whether the swing is to be single or double, and also whether one swing or more are to be given. The incense-boat is the vessel containing the incense for immediate use. It is so called from its shape. It is generally carried by the thurifer in the disengaged hand.
 
You mean during mass?

I don't think it has a name. That incense is frankincense, the same stuff given to Jesus at his birth, and swinging the ball (called a censer) around is done to get the smell everywhere and to essentially "bless" the people with the smoke. It's just a typical part of mass. (if incense is used at all in mass. It's kind of uncommon)

If I recall correctly, though, this is done very near the consecration, so that might be your answer. Offertory might also be the answer you need, in checking the Catholic encyclopedia, though I wouldn't really call that a ritual.
 
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