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Incense Swings - How many Deacon Larry Wednesday, March 23, 2005

Question:

Our deacons have started looking for documentation as to the number of swings of the censer and for what situstions.

The GIRM talks about "three swings" or "one swing" etc. Is there a correct number for incensing the Eucharist (elevation, benediction), for the Book of the Gospels, for the bishop, priest and for the people? Does "three swings" mean three sets of three? Or just three swings?

We have alwars "assumed" there were 3 of 3 for the Eucharist, 3 of 2 for the Book of the Gospels and 3 of 1 for the people.

Is this based on tradition, custom or are there instructions found somewhere?

Thanks and blessings,

Deacon Larry

Question Answered by Mr. Jacob Slavek

Dear Larry,

Yes the use of incense has been simplified from the traditional usage.  The new GIRM has a bit more detail than the one it recently replaced:  everything you mentioned is incensed with three swings.  Also three are:  relics of the holy Cross, images of the Lord exposed for public veneration, the gifts, the altar cross and paschal candle.  Two swings:  exposed relics and images of the saints, at the moment the altar is incensed at the beginning of Mass.  The altar is incensed with many single swings.

There is no mention of double swings here, but if I recall correctly in the Ceremonial of Bishops there is a section about incensation.  I'm sorry but I no longer have a copy so I can't quote and I don't trust my memory well enough, but maybe one of my readers has a copy at can help.

Mr. Slavek
Footer Notes: (a) A Eucharistic Minister is clergy (Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion). Laity are Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and should never be called Eucharistic Ministers.

(b) There is no such Mass called the Novus Ordo. The Current Mass is the Roman Missal of 2000, or the Oridinary Form of the Mass. The Tridentine Mass is the Roman Missal of 1962, or the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. Please refrain from using the term, Novus Ordo. Thanks.

(c) The titles of Acolyte and Lector belong exclusively to the Installed Offices of Acolyte and Lector, who are men (only) appointed by the Bishop. These roles performed by others are Altar Servers and Readers, respectively.