what is its benefits,if any???
2006-08-30 02:41:04 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Currently it's used ceremonial only. not just for funeral masses but for many special masses inducting new members to the faith, the religious awards masses, etc.
I think it's kind of cool and adds something special to the mass.
2006-08-30 02:48:18 · answer #1 · answered by Andy FF1,2,CrTr,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe you are talking about the burning of incense. Being a former alter boy, it was frequently my job to carry the incense pot for the priest until he needed to use it. Can't really say that I understand 100% why it is used at funerals, just part of the traditional ceremony. May have had something to do with masking the smell thousands of years ago (before embalming), and also partly symbolic about the smoke rising up to God, the burning fire of Christian faith, etc. I did find more online at the link below.
2006-08-30 02:50:56 · answer #2 · answered by Bob R 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is incense.
The original use of incense at funerals was probably to help mask the odor of a dead body, but that is not what it is used for now.
Catholics involve all of their senses when it comes to worship, including the sense of smell. Incense is used to bless things, similar to teh way that water is used. In addition, the smoke of incense drifts upward, similar in hte way that our prayers "drift upwards" to God.
2006-08-30 02:48:12 · answer #3 · answered by Sldgman 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Incense. It originally was used to mask the smell of the decaying corpse. Now it's part of the ritual. I don't know the modern reason, though.
2006-08-30 02:44:38 · answer #4 · answered by Ralfcoder 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Incense. To purify.
2006-08-30 02:44:11 · answer #5 · answered by sheeny 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm Catolic so i should now.
It's called incest.
2006-08-30 02:44:24 · answer #6 · answered by tonyintoronto@rogers.com 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
"incest" Tony?
Freudian slip-much?
2006-08-30 02:48:26 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋