Q: Dear Fr. Paul, I love your blog and went to your workshop in our diocese two or three years ago.
I like your concept of following the rubrics and not doing things that are not prescribed.
So, I do not bow to servers, gift bearers, etc.
However, bowing to the thurifer at the time of the offertory, either as principal celebrant or as concelebrants, somehow seems more ingrained as a tradition.
What is your take on this? It would definitely stick out to not make this gesture.
God bless you and your work.
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A: Thanks for your comments on my blog.
I agree that bowing to the thurifer before and after the incensation is ingrained in the tradition. I see the faithful do it as well.
I choose to present myself to the thurifer with head bowed, and I hold that position while the thurifer bows, swings the censer, and bows again.
The thurifer is to bow before and after incensations to the object or person being incensed. The altar doesn’t bow back. Neither does the cross. I think the thurifer is showing respect for the object and persons, and I like to bow my head in what I hope is being read as an act of humility while the incensation takes place.
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