So far, I've only found a single reference to the use of incense in the Altar book for LSB. There is a rubric immediately before Psalm 141 during the Evening Prayer liturgy: "The use of incense is appropriate as Psalm 141 is sung."Striking that there are no instructions about how to use the incense! More striking, there is no mention of incense during its traditional spot at Vespers: the singing of Magnificat. Or for its traditional three uses at the Divine Service: during the Introit; during the Gospel reading; at the offering.
As far as I know, two times the use of incense is mentioned in the old Lutheran Church orders. First, of course, is the famous Formula Missa from Luther's own hand. There we are told that the use of incense and candles at the Gospel is "left free." They are neither prescribed nor proscribed. Secondly, a century later, in the old Magdeburg use we hear that as the Lord's altar is being readied for the sacrament, the elements are brought forth and then the altar is censed as the choir sings "Grant peace, we pray, in mercy, Lord."
I wonder if the upcoming Desk Edition will furnish any further information about the how-to's for the use of incense in the services of Lutheran Service Book. A few more rubrics would be handy...
12 comments:
So, basically, those who get all..forgive the pun..hot and bothered about insense are indulging in a bit of nonsense? It would appear that incense was not a major component in Lutheran Church life in most places, right? Wrong?
I only get hot and bothered when people misspell the word incense. ; )
You are quite correct: it was apparently not a major part of Lutheran Church life, though it did persist in some places - and its persistence also was not a major component. It's a true adiaphoron, but as such should not be regarded as verboten. Where it may be received in such a way that its use helps confess the faith, hurray! Where it would only cause trouble, let it rest.
I suspect, though, that in a number of places its use may not raise an eyebrow. And I must honestly confess that I've never heard anyone get "hot and bothered" about incense. I think every Lutheran would agree: this is not a matter worth getting smoked up over. : )
But I do trust that you would agree with me: if it is appropriate to use during the singing of Psalm 141 in Evening Prayer, it is also appropriate to indicate HOW it should be used during that psalm. Is the altar to be censed? The lectern? The people? WHAT and HOW and (of course) WHY?
The concept of insense is something I don't mind putting in my pipe and smoking, but...the reality is that my allergies go through the roof and my asthma acts up in the presence of incense. There, now you know. Of course, I've usually been too close to the action. Maybe in a humongous cathedral like in Magdeburg it would be ok. You build one of those, and you can incense all you want.
As for rubrics, you are asking ME?
As the only thurifer here I have struggled with this. I am finding extremely little in way of rubrics. From talking to a couple Roman Catholic priests, it seems that the rubrics have been carried through mostly by oral tradition. However, there has to be some kind of written resource in line with the detail of Piepkorn's Conduct...
Paul,
I must confess that I've had a wicked desire for some years to fill a thurible with DRY ICE and process through the church, listening to folks starting to cough and protest how their allergies just can't take the incense. ; )
Matt,
Fortesque is the place to turn for rubrical info - that's where Piepkorn himself often looked, it appears.
Pax!
Pastor,
Thanks for the pointer... though for the dry ice idea... I'd be two afraid of ruining a perfectly good thurible.
In lieu of dry ice, do as Berthold von Schenk did at Our Saviours in da Bronx,,,,, install a amply powered exhaust fan at the peak of the apse, and cense away!
His thurible had little brass bells graceing it's chains, by the way,,,,,, smells and bells all neatly wrapped in one package.
Sorry to butt in, but Dry Ice sinks to the floor, doesn't it?
Brother Harry,
I hadn't thought about that! Good point. : )
good incense is very natural and will not bother allergies. Most incense used in churches is not of this sort of quality though. I suspect that there is a mental thing also. For example, our Kantorei sang with incense at the University Lutheran Chapel in Laramie Wyoming and none of us were affected by it, and the amount was considerable (yes, it was done during ps. 141, just a stationary censer behind the altar lit by an assistant)
my question is this: did you find that rubric from Magdeburg in the service book, or do you have a copy of the agenda? if so, I really would like to see that. Ben Mayes had said that to his knowledge it was not to be found in North America, sadly.
Sean,
I got the second reference from Dr. Herl's Thesis notes. He says that the Agenda of 1615 says: "...then the procession with the elements to the altar with incense, during which 2 boys sing 'Da Pacem Domine' and the organ is played."
Of course, he was more interested in the note "then the organ was played." Blasted musicians! ;)
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