Would you prefer your parish use incense more often?

[TimothyH]

Originally Posted by maryjk

If I take Benadryl, I need to bring a driver too. Otherwise I can't leave the church until I have had a nap.

Diphenhydramine is used as a sleep aid. Why someone would want to take it then drive somewhere, sit through Mass and drive home, I don't know. And to suggest that people do this, would be the same a suggesting that someone drives while under the influence. NOT A GOOD IDEA.

Add to that Benadry some precious blood where the accidents of wine remian and


-Tim-

[mommyof4]

Originally Posted by LilyM

No. Not because I personally don't like it, but I know a fair few people with asthma, allergies and other breathing difficulties who likely would be adversely affected by it.

Yep. I really like the IDEA of incense, but honestly it makes me sick when there is too much.

[Luna Lovecraft]

Originally Posted by Jegudiel

Rather than limit the use of incense why don't you take some steps on your own to limit your discomfort? Maybe ask your pastor to use hypoallergenic incense? Maybe sit towards the back of the church? Maybe take a Benedryl tablet before Masses that you know will have incense?

I always hate to hear the only solution being the reduction in use of incense.

The county we live in is in the top five in the nation for poor air quality. In 2010 there were more than 200 "red flag" days, days in which the pollution and allergen levels were so high that children, the elderly, and people with respiratory problems were advised not to exercise or spend too much time out of doors.

One of my stepdaughters has asthma, very probably developed from breathing all the pollen, smog, and agriculture and industrial chemicals that's in our air. Thank God she hasn't had an asthma attack in three years, but the last one she had hospitalized her overnight.

Her younger sister inherited a propensity towards environmentally-induced migraines from her mother's side of her family. From the time they started when she was seven until she was nine she endured a series of PET scans, MRIs, X-rays, blood tests, CTs scans and a whole host of other scary-for-a-child medical procedures before her neurologist finally hit on the right medication/dietary supplements/lifestyle modification regime that's keeping her migraine-free.

I'm not willing to risk their good health - thank God - or futz with their medications for an incense experience. If the girls are with us at Mass and the thurible comes out, we have to leave. Fortunately, parishes here are sensitive to these issues and use incense sparingly, if at all.

Luna

[Jegudiel]

Originally Posted by Oneofthewomen

Comments like this smack of arrogance to me!

I get a similar feeling when the first action is to ban incense before taking any other measures.

If you have never had trouble breathing due to asthma or some other disorder, to be quite honest, you don't know what you are talking about. There was a time when I thought I would have to miss the funeral Mass of a dear friend because of the incense used by the parish. Even my prescription strength medications could not prevent the asthma attack I had at her husband's funeral Mass, and I nearly had to go to the hospitial to get it under control. So sorry, a little OTC Benedryl is not going to help me!

See your doctor. I am sure there is something that would aid you.

I find that incense, good incense, does not bother me as much now as it once did, however not every parish uses "good incense" as it can be quite expensive

Actually it can also be quite cheap. Go onto eBay and look for "white copal." It's pure natural resin that makes lush smoke that is very easy on those with allergies. Far less harsh and irritating than either Frankincense or Myrrh. It's much, much better than the perfumed solvent-sprayed wood chips most people pay good money for as "incense."

When I worked for a liturgy director, I ordered church supplies.
The incense that we used was nice & light and just about everyone could tolerate it. It was quite expensive (about $35 for a 16oz can)and just with funerals, we went through about a can about every 6 weeks to 2 months.

You didn't understand and/or shop for incense in that case. I'm not sure what a "liturgy director" is but anyone spending a parish's money on liturgical supplies needs to be knowledgeable of what's out there.

If we used it at every Sunday Mass (we had 3 of them) our use would have tripled, which would amount to about $420 a year, just for the incense. That does not include the charcoal or the maintenance of the censer (chains on these break all the time) and the time it take to clean & maintain the censer & stand (again, things that must be done regularly if incense is used regularly). So, in the grand scheme of things, most pastors around these parts only use it for funerals and/or special occaisions.

See above. The cost is an absolute non-issue for those who do their homework. White and Gold Copal is used throughout the Americas, including some very poor Catholic communities. www.SmellsBells.com

And to you Jegudiel,
If you want incense so bad, talk to your pastor, and volunteer to pay for it, and to keep everything in good order! And please, have a little charity for others!

What makes you suggest that I don't already buy incense for my parish? Charity? In any event I think it's YOU that needs to practice some charity -- and some homework!

[Maryann C]

Originally Posted by YoungTradCath

especially when you have a priest or MC who really knows how to use incense and lets the coals burn for about 20 minutes before Mass begins to get the giant, deep, smoky clouds.

I so wish incenst.e was absolutely mandatory in the OF like it is in Solemn EF Masses. We very rarely see i

You are young so you may not have considered this but in our parish there are many elderly with breathing equipment and the incense makes them cough alot. I love incense too but it is not a necessary part of the mass.

Our Msgr has a great balance of its use. Easter and Christmas Vigils ( I don't go to the day services so I can not say then for sure) , Divine Mercy service and other special times.

[Jegudiel]

Originally Posted by Luna Lovecraft

The county we live in is in the top five in the nation for poor air quality. In 2010 there were more than 200 "red flag" days, days in which the pollution and allergen levels were so high that children, the elderly, and people with respiratory problems were advised not to exercise or spend too much time out of doors.

One of my stepdaughters has asthma, very probably developed from breathing all the pollen, smog, and agriculture and industrial chemicals that's in our air. Thank God she hasn't had an asthma attack in three years, but the last one she had hospitalized her overnight.

Her younger sister inherited a propensity towards environmentally-induced migraines from her mother's side of her family. From the time they started when she was seven until she was nine she endured a series of PET scans, MRIs, X-rays, blood tests, CTs scans and a whole host of other scary-for-a-child medical procedures before her neurologist finally hit on the right medication/dietary supplements/lifestyle modification regime that's keeping her migraine-free.

I'm not willing to risk their good health - thank God - or futz with their medications for an incense experience. If the girls are with us at Mass and the thurible comes out, we have to leave. Fortunately, parishes here are sensitive to these issues and use incense sparingly, if at all.

Luna

I think it's HORRIBLY wrong to eliminate the use of incense. Many actions can be taken rather than eliminating incense. A church can always have one Mass dedicated as "incense-free." The pastor can note a week in advance where incense is going to be used so people can take medication before the Mass if they wish, be it OTC or prescribed by their doctor. They can sit towards the back, offer to buy some good and inexpensive hypoallergenic incense and they can volunteer to clean the thurible before it's used for Mass.

Very rarely do I hear anyone talk about these or other measures that can be used to reduce the impact of incense to those who are sensitive. All I normally hear is the drive to eliminate its use.

Just out of curiosity, if you are so greatly concerned for your family, why do you live in a place with such poor air quality?

[Jegudiel]

I read a story somewhere where a priest filled a thurible with dry ice and water and "incensed" his parish before Mass began. The complainers still had coughing fits even though the lush, white carbon dioxide plume would in no way cause people to cough who weren't looking to cough. So much of what we feel is psychosomatic.

[Jegudiel]

Originally Posted by maryjk

If I take Benadryl, I need to bring a driver too. Otherwise I can't leave the church until I have had a nap.

Diphenhydramine is used as a sleep aid. Why someone would want to take it then drive somewhere, sit through Mass and drive home, I don't know. And to suggest that people do this, would be the same a suggesting that someone drives while under the influence. NOT A GOOD IDEA.

There will always be excuses not to see one's doctor for medicine to help them cope with incense smoke.

[Jegudiel]

Originally Posted by YoungTradCath

The reason is that cheap incense has much more impurities (wood) in it. Good quality incense has a high purity level and is made up of a much higher percentage of the fragrant resins.

No. You can buy generic pure resin White or Gold Copal incense on eBay for a very low price. It's far superior to the "blends" of myrrh and frankincense in terms of smoke irritation, lushness and volume of smoke and pleasing smell.

[Jegudiel]

Originally Posted by TimothyH

To Oneofthewoman's points, good incense does have to be used and there is an art to creating the scent but not the smoke. And the idea is really to create scent, not smoke.

Sometimes the coals absorb moisture or the incense is cheap or stale. Sometimes the priest or deacon just shovels too much on. We have one priest who is very good at it. It looks like there is no smoke but about 30 seconds after he incenses the altar you will get a waft of scent throughout the Church, without all the drama of billowing clouds of smoke and people coughing.

We had one deacon set off the smoke detector in the vestry. There is no need for that much smoke.

If not using incense is an offense to Catholics then then telling the elderly and infirm that they should go sit in the back or that they should shut their mouths and tough it out is hardly a Christian solution.


-Tim-

One of the biggest offenders is a dirty thurible crusted with black, burnt resin. Most parishes that rarely use incense have filthy thuribles.

[Luna Lovecraft]

Originally Posted by Jegudiel

Just out of curiosity, if you are so greatly concerned for your family, why do you live in a place with such poor air quality?

Wow. Is there anyone who's not greatly concerned about about their family's health?

It is what it is. We live where we live. We cope in the best ways we can.

Again, wow.

Luna

[YoungTradCath]

Originally Posted by Jegudiel

No. You can buy generic pure resin White or Gold Copal incense on eBay for a very low price. It's far superior to the "blends" of myrrh and frankincense in terms of smoke irritation, lushness and volume of smoke and pleasing smell.

I don't understand what the "no" was refuting.

[maryjk]

Originally Posted by Jegudiel

There will always be excuses not to see one's doctor for medicine to help them cope with incense smoke.

But to suggest that someone take a sleep aid before going to Mass is wrong. There is no excuse for it, NONE. YOU took it upon yourself to give medical advice to someone. That is not allowed here. In addition, you gave BAD medical advice.

Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine. It is used for red, irritated, itchy, watery eyes; sneezing; and runny nose caused by hay fever, allergies, or the common cold. It is also used to prevent and treat motion sickness, and to treat insomnia. I am not aware that it is ever used for asthma or migraine headaches.

[Oneofthewomen]

Originally Posted by Jegudiel

There will always be excuses not to see one's doctor for medicine to help them cope with incense smoke.

And there will always be people who think that what they want should trump what is best for the community, based on the decision of it's leader.

But, as I seem so often to forget, it's all about me...

[Jegudiel]

Originally Posted by YoungTradCath

I don't understand what the "no" was refuting.

Good, pure reason incense need not be expensive.