Hans
Jaegerstatter
wrote:
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Hi, guys —
Two questions, actually:
- I recently watched the televised Papal
Mass at Westminster Cathedral, London,
and was a bit annoyed at frequent commenting
that told us:
- when the Pope was standing or sitting
- who was beside him
- what so and so was doing
- where the Pope was last year, etc.
This even occurred during Communion, during
the silence after Communion, and while
the choir was singing. The commentary was
not disability-related. I tried to give
myself up to the liturgy, but several times
found myself mentally shouting, Oh,
will you shut up!,
as I found this commenting to be intrusive.
I've heard it done in other televised Papal
Masses as well.
We are watching the Mass, we are not watching
a soccer game!, though they commented:
"And, the Pope has been handed
the thurible and he's going around the
altar.
He's at the end of the altar now and
he's coming back to the other side . . ."
- On a lesser note: the commentator
several times said that the Pope was incensing the
altar. (I had a fleeting image of him making
the altar angry.)
- Isn't censing the correct term?
It's what we were taught in school at any
rate.
Thanks!
Hans
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| {
Were my feelings proper when watching this televised Papal
Mass and is 'censing' the correct term? }
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Mary
Ann replied:
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Hans,
You are right on all counts and I
share your reactions, however, the
commentary would be necessary for
a radio audience, so maybe the commentator
was doing double duty.
Mary Ann
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Paul
replied:
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Dear Hans,
I sense your frustration and can
sympathize and I thank you for a
good laugh caused by your description.
Paul
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Mike
replied:
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Hi, Hans —
You said:
- On a lesser note: the commentator
several times said that the Pope was incensing the
altar. (I had a fleeting image of him making
the altar angry.)
- Isn't censing the correct term?
It's what we were taught in school at any
rate.
Not quite.
Below is from the
Catholic Encyclopedia:
Incensing
Incensing is the act of imparting
the odor of incense. The censer
is held in the right hand at the
height of the breast, and grasped
by the chain near the cover; the
left hand, holding the top of
the chain, is placed on the breast.
The censer is then raised upwards
to the height of the eyes, given
an outward motion and slightly
ascending towards the object to
be incensed, and at once brought
back to the starting point. This
constitutes a single swing. For
a double swing the outward motion
should be repeated, the second
movement being more pronounced
than the first.
Censer
A vessel suspended by chains,
and used for burning incense at
solemn Mass, Vespers, Benediction,
processions, and other important
offices of the Church. It is now
commonly called a thurible. |
Hope this helps,
Mike
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