Thurible
|
|
In the Roman Catholic church a thurible is a metal censer, suspended from chains, in which incense is burned during Solemn Mass, Benediction, Vespers and funeral services. Other churches, such as the churches of the Anglican Communion, also make use of them. The altar server who carries the thurible is called the thurifer.
The Workings of a Thurible are quite simple. Heated charcoal is what is inside the actual metal censer. Incense, of sometimes many differnt varieties is placed upon the charcoal by the Priest
at differnt times in the service as the incense burns quite quickly. Once the incense has been placed on the charcoal the thurible is then closed and handed to the Priest for censing.
The thurifer's job in the mass is basically to carry the thurible from one place to another. The jobs of a thurifer include:
Holding the thurible while the Priest is blessing the incenseinside of it.
Carrying the thurible throughout the Mass.
Presenting the thurble to the Priest at different times in the mass, (for example, Holy Communion, Gospel readings, the Angelus)
A famous thurible is the huge Botafumeiro in Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, Spain.