Anglicanism
In the Anglican Communion, the use of incense is a fairly reliable guide to how 'high' (more Catholic in liturgical style) or how 'low' (more Protestant) a church is. Anglo-Catholic churches may use generous quantities of incense. In recent years, some middle-of-the-road Anglican churches have taken to using incense a few times a year for special occasions.
Traditionally, at High Mass, the following rule is observed when censing, which differs from the common Roman Rite:
- Three sets of triple swings: When censing the Most Blessed Sacrament
- Three sets of double swings: When censing images, relics, and other sacramentals, also when censing the celebrant.
- Two sets of double swings: When censing a Deacon.
- One set of double swings: When censing a Sub-Deacon.
- Three sets of single swings: When censing the congregation
In Anglo-Catholic churches, the Thurible is carried in procession in front of the Crucifer and Acolytes. The Celebrant then censes the altar on which the Eucharist is to be offered, in the following form (at a Nave Altar):
- After venerating the altar, the Priest receives the thurible from the server at the North end of the altar.
- The Priest circles the altar, making small movements in the thurible, in an anti-clockwise direction until s/he reaches the west side of the altar, facing east.
- The Priest then makes three sets of triple swings towards east, then continues around the altar to his original position facing west.
This same pattern is followed when censing the altar at the offertory, with the following prequel:
- The Priest makes 6 swings (3+3) over the gifts, making the sign of the cross.
- The Priest then makes 3 circles, two counter-clockwise and one clockwise, over and around the gifts.
At the Gospel, the deacon (or whoever is reading the Gospel) censes following the introduction to the Gospel (i.e.: Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to n... then cense)using three sets of double swings, one set South, one set North, and one set west.
At the elevations of the Blessed Sacrament, during the prayer of consecration, either the deacon, sub-deacon, or other appropriate person (including the thurifer), makes three sets of triple swings, as the parish bell and sanctuary bells are rung.
Should the Regina Coeli (during Easter) or the Angelus be said or sung, then the celebrant or other appropriate person may cense the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the following form:
- Regina Coeli: Three sets of triple swings during the verse (Joy to thee, O Queen of Heaven, Alleluia...) and then three sets of triple swings during the concluding prayer.
- Angelus: One set of triple swings during each 'Ave Maria', then three sets of triple swings during the prayer (Pour forth, we beseech thee, thy grace into our hearts...)
Incense can be used at any celebration of the eucharist throughout the year, but especially in the seasons of Christmas, Epiphany and Easter, Maundy Thursday vigil, Palm Sunday, on the feasts of Pentecost, Trinity Sunday, Ascension, Feasts of saints and martyrs, Corpus Christi, and at the Dedication Festival or Patronal Festival of a church.
Read more about this topic: Thuribles