JMJ 1

Thurifer at Solemn High Mass

GENERAL PRINCIPLES / INSTRUCTIONS –

1. A genuflection is always made upon entering and leaving sanctuary (even if one is just going in or
out of the side sacristy).
2. The thurible is always held in the left hand if the incense is not blessed, it is always held in the right
hand if the incense is blessed. N.B. the incense “loses” its blessing once the object for which it has
been blessed is incensed.
3. When assisting D with incensations, Th always genuflects at his left, and stands at his right.

PREPARATIONS – Ensure that extra coals and matches are present in side sacristy. Sacristans should
have the thurible prepared. Ensure that there is a spoon in the boat and sufficient incense. If there is an
Asperges, the aspergillum is carried in the procession and a sacristan should have placed thurible, boat,
etc. in the epistle side sacristy.

PROCESSION, ASPERGES – After Procedamus in Pace, Th rings the bell, and leads the procession at a
medium pace, assuming a position a few steps from the altar (just outside the left corner of the carpet).
Genuflect on signal and give aspergillum to MC; return to former position and wait to kneel with MC.
After the next genuflection MC and Th lead ministers to choir. Gospel side is blessed first, then epistle
side (genuflections are made firstly in front of the ministers and then behind). Th and MC process to the
first pew of the faithful, allowing ministers to pass between them. Th then genuflects with MC and
processes back to the base of the altar on the gospel side. After the post-asperges prayers, genuflect at
signal and gate to sedilia with the ministers. When ministers return to altar, go to epistle side sacristy
(genuflecting at same time as ministers) to get thurible and assume position at right side of credence.

INCENSATION to GRADUAL – If there is no Asperges, Th processes in with the thurible and boat,
genuflects at base of altar and assumes position at right side of credence. After the prayers at the foot
of the altar, meet MC on the epistle side, give him the boat, make a medium bow and ascend to predella
and present thurible to C with right hand for imposition. After C has blessed the incense, give D the
thurible and take boat back to credence. After ministers have incensed altar, come to right of D to assist
in incensing the C, bowing before and after. Having taken the thurible, go back to position at credence.

GOSPEL – During the chanting of Gradual, Tract or Alleluia, meet MC at epistle side to impose incense
(same procedure as above). Keep the thurible after imposition, return boat to credence, stand in front of
Ac1 to process to middle of sanctuary. Genuflect at the signal, turn in toward MC, and process to
position where Gospel is to be sung (i.e. in front of Tb’s stools). After D has passed, give thurible to MC
and bow for incensation of book, receiving thurible back afterwards. Facing Evangeliarium hold the
thurible in left hand, motionless. At the end of the Gospel, process back to altar, leaving room for D to
pass between Th and MC. Genuflect at signal and go to D’s right for incensation of C. Bow with D
before and after incensation; then genuflect and process back to credence area with Acs and MC. Th
goes to sacristy to deposit thurible (if there is no sermon.)

OFFERTORY – At conclusion of sermon go to side sacristy to light more coals, and return with thurible
to position at credence after Ac1 has taken cruets to altar. Incensation of the altar follows the offering of
the wine (same procedure as first incensation). After incensation of priest go with D to incense clergy in
the following order: priests (according to rank, remembering also that Rector receives 2 doubles), choir,
SD. Always genuflect at D’s left, remaining on his right when he is incensing (N.B. Th must know
which priests are present). Th then incenses D with two double swings, MC and Acs with one double
swing each and Tbs and Cb with 3 singles (center, left and right). After incensing servers, incense
congregation (center, left and right). Return to sanctuary, genuflect with Tbs, and lead them to rear

**Revision 2005-06
(11-8-05)
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sacristy to get torches. Returning at Sanctus, genuflect, signal Tbs to kneel, and return to your credence
position.

PREFACE to PATER NOSTER – At the Hanc Igitur go to base of altar on epistle side and kneel on the
floor at MC’s signal. Incense the Blessed Sacrament at both elevations with three double swings, after
which return to normal position. Genuflect after minor elevation at same time as ministers and place
thurible in side sacristy, then return to your position.

AGNUS DEI, PAX, COMMUNION – Receive the Pax from Ac1 (Ac1 should come to give the Pax
instead of Th moving to receive it). After C consumes Precious Blood, follow Acs to foot of altar to
receive communion. Having followed MC’s signals, return and kneel at credence. After tabernacle door
has been closed, lead the Tbs out (without thurible). Return immediately, signal a genuflection, and then
retrieve thurible. Return to position.

LAST BLESSING, LAST GOSPEL AND RECESSIONAL – Th does not kneel or make sign of the
cross for last Blessing. After signing self at last Gospel, form the procession outside elevated part of
sanctuary. Th genuflects both for last Gospel and before departure. Kneeling he receives C’s blessing
back in the vestibule. (N.B. After recessional, Th should dump coals outside.)

Laus Deo Semper.

**Revision 2005-06
(11-8-05)
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THURIFER AT SUNG MASS

The differences from the Solemn High Mass Thurifer (Th) position are as follows:

PROCESSION – Th processes in with thurible, genuflects at the foot of the altar and goes to his position
(right of the credence).

INCENSATION OF THE ALTAR – After imposition of incense, Th hands the thurible to the MC and
goes (behind MC & C) to C’s left to assist at incensation. After incensation, Th descends the epistle side
steps and stands at MC’s right while MC incenses C.

GOSPEL – Imposition of incense as normal. Th receives back the boat, places it on credence and goes
in front of Acs. He (w/out the MC) leads them to the foot of the altar (leaving room to his left for the
MC) and all genuflect when the MC has descended with the missal. Th and Acs turn to their left and go
double file to the gospel side. They face the Gospel and the Th hands the thurible to the MC when the
MC is ready. After Gospel, the MC incenses the C and hands the thurible back to the Th. Th and the
Acs return to the foot of the altar double file and wait for MC. MC gives signal to genuflect and all turn
in and train toward credence. Th exits to add a coal (if need be).

OFFERTORY – Th returns in time for imposition (when Acs leave with cruets). Th assists at
incensation as before. After the MC incenses the C, he hands the thurible to Th and Th follows MC to
the foot of the altar. Both genuflect and Th commences to incense in proper order (i.e. priests, choirs,
MC, servers, and faithful). He returns to the sanctuary (proper) and goes to his credence position.

CANON – Th approaches at Hanc Igitur and kneels on first step to incense at the elevations. He returns
to his position after MCs signal to rise. After minor elevation, he leaves (genuflecting with the C and
MC) and deposits the thurible. He returns to his position.

COMMUNION – Th gets the paten off the credence before approaching foot of altar for Communion.
Having receiving, he passes the paten to his Ac on his left. Servers return to positions after receiving
Communion. After the tabernacle door closes Th exits to retrieve thurible. He returns to position.

LAST GOSPEL – After making signs of cross, Th goes to line up for recession (N.B. Because there are
no torchbearers, Th lines up on top of the steps in sanctuary proper). He genuflects at proper part in last
Gospel and at final genuflection (which is signaled by MC). Th leads recession with initial brisk pace.
After kneeling for servers’ blessing, he deposits coals outside.

Laus Deo Semper.

**Revision 2005-06
(11-8-05)