Thurifer and Boat Bearer in depth training

• The symbolism of incense is rooted in scripture. The first recorded use of incense is in Exodus when Aaron, the first high priest was commanded to offer a sacrifice to God. Incense has been used since then, and it was one of the gifts brought by the three kings to the Christ Child, so it is fitting that we also use incense in our celebrations. The symbolism is that, as the smoke rises to God, it takes our prayers with it, and as the smell is sweet to us, it will also be pleasing to God. It is a way of offering the best that we have, in the form of a beautiful smell, to Our Lord. The smoke also suggests the mystery of God - we cannot fully see him because our minds cannot grasp the complete immensity of God. It is as if he is shrouded in smoke and we cannot entirely envision Him.


• The server who is in charge of the incense or censer during Mass is called the Thurifer. The one who carries the incense container is called the Boat Bearer. Often the Thurifer can do both, carry the censer and the boat.


• If there are not enough servers for an individual to be dedicated as a Thurifer and one as a Boat Bearer then the Book Bearer can do all three jobs. So this means that in masses that will be using incense there must be at least 4 servers (regular duties for everyone and the Book Bearer also triples as Thurifer and Boat Bearer), or 5 servers (4 normal ones, and a Thurifer who also doubles as a Boat Bearer) or 6 servers (4 normal with normal duties, and a Thurifer, and a Boat Bearer). This gets interesting for Masses with a Bishop and incense, because at those Masses there are usually 2 more servers for the Bishop's equipment, and then an MC, which means 9 servers total. Yahoo!

• In Masses with incense - EVERYONE goes to their place after reverencing the altar. We do not collect at the bottom of the sanctuary step after processing in and wait to bow together. The reason why is because there are too many people. So as soon as any altar server reaches the steps, they bow or pause (depending on if they are carrying something) and go directly to their seat.


• The Thurifer or Boat Bearer does not bow to the Altar; he is carrying something


• Practice swinging the censer in procession and also standing still.


• Practice how you incense a person. It should be three directions and three swings each direction - three swings to the front, three swings to one side, and three swings to the other.


• Make sure you have extra charcoal ready next to the censer stand, and know when to add it to the censer during Mass.


• Make sure you have the stand in a place where the smoke will not flow into the church. The best place is outside.

• In procession the Thurifer goes first - even before the cross. He or she sets the pace for the procession. If there is a Boat Bearer they follow directly after the Thurifer.

• 1. During the entrance procession.
• 2. Immediately when the priest arrives in the sanctuary; even before the sign of the cross is made, the altar will be incensed.
• 3. Before the Gospel is read at the Ambo.
• 4. After the gifts are received - just prior to the washing of the hands - this is the most involved.
• O. During the consecration when the host is raised, and then again when the chalice is raised - they can be incensed (optional - Rare)
• 5. During the exit procession.

The First use of Incense.

• When the line is forming for the entrance procession and just before the procession starts, the Thurifer takes the censer to the presider and the presider adds incense to the censer, and blesses the incense. The Thurifer then goes to the front of the procession, and waits until the procession starts. Remember, the Thurifer goes first, in front of the Cross Bearer swinging the incense back and forth, leading everyone to the sanctuary.
• The Boat Bearer goes second in the procession following right after the Thurifer; then comes the Cross Bearer and everyone else.

The Second use of Incense.

• After the Thurifer and the Boat Bearer reverence the altar they do not go to their seat but stand behind the altar in the place where the Torch Bearers usually stand when they bring the gifts to the altar. They wait there for the presider.
• After the presider kisses the altar he will add more incense to the censer and then incense the altar and the main cross. The Thurifer and Boat Bearer remain where they are at until the presider is finished. The Thurifer takes the censer to the censer stand and the Boat Bearer places the boat on the credence table. Both sit.

The Third use of Incense.

• At the first note of the Alleluia, or when everyone stands for the Gospel - whichever comers first, the Thurifer and the Boat Bearer quickly get the censer and boat and go to the presider. If the presider is a bishop, he will remain seated - and the Thurifer and Boat Bearer will kneel and the Bishop will add incense to the censer. If the presider is a priest, usually he will be standing. In that case they also stand and present him with what they are carrying so that he can add incense to the censer. After he adds incense, the Boat Bearer returns to his seat with the boat. The Thurifer then goes and stands behind the ambo, slowly swinging the smoking censer. After the deacon of priest crosses himself, he will take the censer and incense the book of the Gospels. He will then hand the censer back to the Thurifer. While the Gospel is read the Thurifer slowly swings the censer back and forth until the deacon or priest finishes reading. Once the deacon or priest says "The Gospel of the Lord" and kisses the book, the Thurifer takes the censer back to its stand.
• Before the Thurifer returns to his or her seat, he or she needs to add another charcoal briquette to the censer. You don't need to light it, just position it in the censer so that it is touching the other hot coal and it will catch fire.
• The Thurifer returns to his or her seat.

The Fourth use of Incense.

• This is the most involved.
• After the gifts are received, the Thurifer and the Boat Bearer stand directly behind the Torch Bearers while they are holding the gifts, waiting for the deacon or priest to place them on the altar. Once the gifts are taken, the Torch Bearers will go to the credence table for the water and towel - the Thurifer and the Boat Bearer step forward. The Presider will add incense to the censer. The Boat Bearer can return to his or her seat after the incense is added. The Presider will take the censer from the Thurifer and walk around the altar and incense it. The Presider will incense the main cross. When he returns to where the Thurifer is standing, he will hand the censer back to the Thurifer. The Thurifer, takes a step back so that he or she is standing a few feet away from the Presider. They both profoundly bow to each other (from the waist). The Thurifer incenses the Presider, one, two, and three. They bow to each other again, profoundly. If there are any other priests or deacons in the sanctuary the Thurifer stands in front of them as a group - profoundly bows to them all, then incenses them one, two, three. Bows again. The Thurifer may need to do this twice if the priests and deacons are not all together, for example if they are in two separate groups. The Thurifer then walks in front of the altar at the top step and profoundly bows to the people and incenses them, one, two, three, and then bows again. The Thurifer returns the censer to its stand and takes a seat.
• Note that while the Thurifer is incensing the other priests and deacons the Torch Bearers take the water and towel to the presider for washing.

Optional use of Incense.

• During some special Masses - Corpus Christi or the Easter Vigil - the presider may want to use incense during the Eucharistic Prayer. In this case the presider will not be able to add incense to the censer himself, so the Thurifer will need to do it. When the people say or sing the Holy, Holy, Holy, the Thurifer adds more incense to the censer. The Thurifer waits next to the credence table until the people kneel. Instead of kneeling with the other servers, the Thurifer will go in front of the altar at the top of the first step and kneel there. The Thurifer will slowly swing the censer while kneeling - watching the priest. When the priest elevates the host, the Thurifer incenses the host, one, two, three, just as he or she would a person. When the priest elevates the chalice the Thurifer does the same. When everyone stands, the Thurifer stands and returns the censer back to its stand and goes to his her seat.

• The Thurifer leads the exit procession. In this case, the Thurifer does not bring the censer to the presider to add incense. The Thurifer is the one who adds the incense to the censer this last time. The incense should be added during the closing prayer, or if there are announcements, during the announcements. The Thurifer waits with the censer next to the credence table. When the closing hymn begins he or she goes down the steps - and into the center aisle, and turns around waiting for the presider. Once the presider bows and turns around, the Thurifer leads the exit procession. The Boat Bearer follows the Thurifer.