T h e C e r e m o n i a l o f t h e L i g h t - L i f e M o v e m e n t C e n t r e i n K r o ś c i e n k o n a d D u n a j c e m T H U R I F E R & B O A T B E A R E R editing: Wojciech Kosmowski, Patrycja Kulczewska English translation: Anna Wątróbska T h e C e n t r a l D i a k o n i a f o r L i t u r g y o f t h e L i g h t - L i f e M o v e m e n t
G E N E R A L R U L E S All liturgical servers should: remember that they participate in the mystery and lead others to it prepare themselves for their functions by praying, reflecting upon their actions, taking part in the rehearsal of the liturgy team prepare all needed things before the celebration and after it bring everything back to the sacristy (or leave it in a proper place in the sanctuary)
PREPARATIONS BEFORE THE MINISTRY The thurifer and the boat bearer prepare the thurible, charcoals and the incense boat with the spoon and the appropriate amount of incense. W i e l k i C z w a r t e k Preparing the thurible: burning the charcoals, at least 15 minutes prior to the liturgy (using a candle or alcohol) and keeping it burning charcoals should be preferably red-hot and evenly spread. After the liturgy the charcoals should be extinguished and removed from the censer to the place pointed by the sacristan.
PREPARATIONS BEFORE THE MINISTRY During rehearsals they should draw attention to: the method of carrying the thurible and the boat they should be carried in the left hand, whereas the right hand should rest on the breast or be used to regulate the height of the censer when it is presented to the celebrant (by the thurifer) or to open the boat (by the boat bearer) the order of walking the thurible walks on the right side of the boat bearer or precedes him practicing the way of censing Arrangements with other ministers: with the priest celebrant or the deacon - the way of passing and receiving the thurible with the deacon (if present) - the way of serving (incensing the celebrant, concelebrants, the people and the Blessed Sacrament)
MINISTRY AT THE LITURGY During the liturgy the thurifer and the boat bearer do not genuflect they kneel only for the Consecration and before the Gospel as they approach the bishop (if present) to prepare the incense. When they are not exercising their functions, they stay in the sacristy, and after the Eucharistic Prayer - in the sanctuary.
MINISTRY AT THE LITURGY Preparation of the incense: - the boat bearer opens the boat (in the sacristy he scoops the incense with the spoon and slips the spoon in so it could be easily grabbed) - the thurifer lifts the lid of the censer as high as he can, then he takes the chains with the right hand just above the lid W i e l k i C z w a r t e k and raises the censer to the level of the celebrant s hips so that he could easily put the incense in it (the thurible is not to be held by the lid or the bottom, as it is unaesthetic and could cause burning), then he lowers the censer and lowers the lid. Passing the thurible: the thurifer passes the thurible to the deacon (if present) or the priest celebrant with the left hand to deacon s (master of ceremonies ) right hand, and his own right hand uses to hold the chains just above the lid. Receiving the thurible by the thurifer: with his right hand he takes the upper part of the censer, with his left hand he takes the chains just above the lid, then he lowers the bottom part of the thurible and he passes the upper part of it to the left hand.
MINISTRY AT THE LITURGY Incensation is moving the thurible backwards and forwards (swinging) as shown on the scheme. Basically three swings of the thurible are used. During the incensation of the Blessed Sacrament at the Elevation the thurifer and the boat bearer kneel on both knees. Before and after the incensation of people and things (with the exception of the gifts on the altar) the thurifer and the boat bearer make a deep bow. The incensation is performed also during processions (though no rapid moves and swinging of the whole body is allowed). During the incensation (with the exception of processions) the left hand rests flat on the breast and the right hand is used to make swings shown above while carrying the chains just above the lid.
MINISTRY AT THE LITURGY the HOLY MASS part 1 They go at the head of the Entrance Procession, after revering the altar by the deep bow they enter the sanctuary and stand slightly aside at the gifts side. After kissing the altar by the priest celebrant they approach him to prepare the incense. They turn around and make several steps back (they do not walk backwards!) during the incensation the priest celebrant is assisted by the deacons if present, if not the thurifer and the boat bearer go with the priest around the altar, and before the cross they make a deep bow. After the incensation they take back the thurible and quit.
MINISTRY AT THE LITURGY the HOLY MASS part 2 In the procession to the ambo they approach the priest celebrant to place the incense, then they stand on both sides of the altar opposite the candle bearers and walk with the deacon or the concelebrant to the ambo, then they stand on the right side of it. They stay there till the end of the Gospel, then they leave together with the candle bearers and walk to the sacristy.
MINISTRY AT THE LITURGY the HOLY MASS part 3 The incensation of the gifts on the altar is similar to the incensation of the altar at the beginning of the Eucharist; then the deacon or the thurifer incenses the priest celebrant, the concelebrants, and finally the people. In the incensation at the Elevation: the thurifer and the boat bearer leave the sacristy during the Sanctus singing; the deacon or the thurifer (in the absence of a deacon) places the incense in the thurible and performs the incensation; the servers walk to the sacristy after the Acclamation after the Consecration (or after Per ipsum depending on the customs or arrangements before the celebration) and, if there is no procession after the Mass, they extinguish the thurible and return to the sanctuary. In the procession to the sacristy the thurifer and the boat bearer walk together with other servers (without the thurible).
MINISTRY AT THE LITURGY LAUDS AND VESPERS The thurifer and the boat bearer lit the fire during the homily. They enter after the responsory. They approach the chair to prepare the incense when the canticle (of Zachary or of Mary respectively) is intoned. The thurifer and the boat bearer (or assistant deacons if present) walk with the priest celebrant as he incenses the altar. They incense the priest celebrant and then the people (if it is not performed by the deacon or the master of ceremonies). After the incensation they go to the sacristy, extinguish the fire, then return to the sanctuary and participate in the celebration.
PROCESSION ORDER AND TAKING SEATS BY THE SERVERS The next few pages show schemes of processions orders and taking seats by the servers (there is also a separate presentation containing the following schemes). The schemes present general situations places may differ depending on the number of the faithful and concelebrants. However, this general rule should be observed each server takes his seat near the place of his function. All schemes provide for places for MB and CrB they apply to celebrations presided by the bishop.
PROCESSION ORDER AND TAKING SEATS BY THE SERVERS ABBREVIATIONS: PC Priest Celebrant Cc Concelebrants MC Master of ceremonies CrsB or + Cross bearer T Thurifer BtB Boat bearer BkB Book bearer CB Candle bearer MA Minister of the altar L1, L2 Lector (1 st and 2 nd reading) P Psalmist UP Universal Prayer readers Com Commentator GB Gift bearers MB Miter bearer CrB Crozier bearer places for other ministers
P R O C E S S I O N O R D E R I N C E L E B R A T I O N S P R E S I D E D B Y T H E B I S H O P * the procession to the sacristy has the same order but T and BtB do not carry the thurible, thus they follow the cross ** the second D (if present) walks beside B
T A K I N G S E A T S B Y T H E S E R V E R S CHAPEL OF CHRIST THE SERVANT
T A K I N G S E A T S B Y T H E S E R V E R S TENT OF LIGHT
T A K I N G S E A T S B Y T H E S E R V E R S CENACLE OF ST. JOHN PAUL II ( A M P H I T H E A T R E )
T A K I N G S E A T S B Y T H E S E R V E R S PARISH LOWER CHURCH
P R A Y E R S B E F O R E AND A F T E R T H E MINISTRY F O R I N D I V I D U A L SAYING (AT A SUITABLE PLACE AND TIME) Come, Holy Spirit! Grant me the grace of serving as the thurifer / the boat bearer worthily, and grant all the faithful gathered at the liturgy the gift of a beautiful prayer that rises up to God as the scent of incense. Teach us to keep in unity with Christ who offers a burnt offering on the cross. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for calling me to serve as the thurifer / the boat bearer at the sacred liturgy of the Church. Let my whole life be filled with love that burns up while serving my brothers.
CORPORATE PRAYERS OF ALL SERVERS B E F O R E A N D A F T E R T H E L I T U R G Y The priest celebrant leads prayers of the liturgy team serving within the sanctuary in the sacristy. I am about to approach the altar of the Lord, approach God who cheers my youth. I begin the sacred ministry and I want to fulfill it well. Please, Lord Jesus, grant me the grace of focusing my thoughts on You, my eyes on the altar, and let my heart be committed only to You. Amen. O God, whose kindness called me to serve You, as I am now sanctified by participation in Your mysteries, please, let me walk only on the path of salvation, today and all my life, through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
S O U R C E S General Instruction of The Roman Missal Church documents available on websites: http://www.catholicliturgy.com/ http://catholic-resources.org/ Catholic reference application for mobile devices and computers: http://www.imissal.com/
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