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A Catholic censer, also known as a thurible, is the vessel used to burn incense during liturgical celebrations and prayer. This collection includes different designs intended for use with charcoal and incense grains. Their structure allows the fragrant incense smoke to be released gradually.
What is a censer used for in Catholic worship?
A censer or thurible is used to burn incense so that its smoke can be dispersed during religious worship. In Catholic liturgy, incense may be used at Mass, during Eucharistic adoration, in processions and at other solemn celebrations.
The rising smoke traditionally accompanies prayer offered to God. The censer is therefore a practical liturgical vessel designed to hold hot charcoal and the incense placed upon it.
Church thurible or censer for a prayer space
A traditional church thurible is often suspended from chains so that it can be carried and swung during the liturgy. Smaller standing censers can also be used within a home prayer space.
The appropriate design depends mainly on the context in which it will be used, the quantity of incense required and whether the vessel needs to be carried. The heat produced by the charcoal must always be taken into account.
What incense should be used in a censer?
A traditional censer is intended for incense grains placed on burning charcoal. These grains may consist of aromatic resins such as frankincense and myrrh or blends prepared for devotional use.
Our selection of religious incense includes different fragrances and forms associated with Christian prayer. Incense grains used with a censer differ from incense sticks, which burn without charcoal.
How do you use a Catholic censer?
The basic method is to place suitable charcoal inside the censer, allow it to become properly hot and then add a small amount of incense grains. The fragrant smoke is then released gradually.
Our guide on how to use a thurible and its Christian significance explains the process and the role of incense within Catholic tradition. The FAQ on this page also covers lighting charcoal and caring for the censer.
Incense smoke within Christian prayer
Incense has a long biblical and liturgical history within Christian worship. Its visible smoke and fragrance can mark a time or place set aside for prayer, without the incense or censer itself being understood as possessing an independent spiritual power.
The censer simply provides the appropriate vessel for burning incense grains and continuing this tradition in religious celebrations or a personal prayer space.