When I arrived at St.Joseph Church in Macon in 2004, I began to implement the use of incense on an every Sunday basis at our 9:30 AM and 12:10 PM Mass. Incense was seldom used here until my arrival. I noticed that for some parishioners quite unaccustomed to the sense of smell at Mass, started to cough even at the sight of the thurible, let alone the sight of incense smoke.
Now in my seventh year, I hardly ever hear anyone cough at the sight of the thurible or the actual incense streaming out in a haze of intoxicating delight. In my previous parish in Augusta, the Metro Spirit, an alternative newspaper, made me the cover boy of the weekly, with a picture that filled the front page of me incensing the altar at the Church of the Most Holy Trinity. I have it framed in my sitting room!
But now I am inspired by the Spaniards and Pope Benedict's delight at what he saw and experienced this past Saturday in Spain. So this Sunday, my parishioners will see a gargantuan, giant thurible of the nth degree hanging from the cupola of St. Joseph swinging madly in front of them, very similar to the one in this video! Enjoy:
NOW IF YOU DON'T THINK THAT'S COOL, THEN YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT COOL IS! LEAVE IT TO THE SPANIARDS!
8 comments:
Well, I'm speechless....
Wow. Although I have seen bigger: In Ohio defeating Michigan in football is almost a religious event. We often celebrate by setting an overturned Buick alight. But I have noticed the smoke does make neighbours cough.
rcg
They are definitely going to have to add incense to their annual budget! I bet that take a lot of of incense to fill! :)
What can I say but it was a sight to behold. I wanted to run up to the thurible and have the ride of my life!
Father, what brand of incense do you use? This may be crazy, but I -love- the smell of the "traditional" stuff. Unfortunately, none of the parishes near me use any at all. My attempts to purchase it online (for home, devotional use), have resulted in some stuff that could be used to fumigate for bats.
Thanks!
Was that really necessary? It looked like a pinata.
I can not see the video on the connection I am using but believe I have seen it many times before, and assuming that can say that necessary isn't at issue, tradition is. This giant Thurible has been in use for centuries in that glorious Church. You know, back when we buuilt them grand and glorious, reaching every up for the greater glory of God.
On second thought, maybe an immodestly clad liturgical dancer parading around with a stone bowl full of incense would please God more. Or maybe not.
To quote a parishioner from our parish when incense was restored "My throat is swelling!"
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