A thurible is a metal censer suspended from chains, in which incense is burned during Mass. It is used in the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, Old Catholic and other churches. In Catholic and Anglican churches, the altar server who carries the thurible is called the thurifer.

The workings of a thurible are quite simple. Heated charcoal is inside the actual metal censer. Incense, sometimes of many different varieties is placed upon the charcoal by the priest. This may be done several times during 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 or deacon for censing.

The jobs of a thurifer include:

• Holding the thurible while the priest is blessing the incense inside of it.
• Carrying the thurible in procession.
• Presenting the thurible to the priest or deacon at different times in the service, (for, at the Gospel readings and before the Eucharist at Mass)
• At Mass, if no deacon is present, the server censes the priest after the priest censes the gifts. A thurifer may be helped by another server, often a child, carrying a 'boat' or container for fresh incense to add as the thurible burns low. These are called 'boat girls' or 'boat boys', as the case may be.

  A famous thurible is the huge Botafumeiro in Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, Spain.

  Thurible swinging:

  • Three sets of three swings: When incensing the Blessed Sacrament
  • Three sets of two swings: When incensing images, relics, and other sacramentals, also when censing the celebrant and other clergy.
  • Three sets of one swing when censing the congregation.

  The use of Thuribles after Second Vatican Council

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  There has been a recent controversy within the Roman Catholic Church on whether or not it is necessary to use ornate thuribles. As a result, some parishes use incense vases or other containers, which are carried directly rather than by a chain, and waved rather than swung. Other parishes use containers which are in fixed positions during the liturgy.

  religious objects | Incense | Christian liturgy, rites, and worship services

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