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Missio Dei Catholic's avatar

My experience when it comes to the use of incense it depends on the priest. Some in our parish have used it liberally and others never.

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Kaleb Hammond's avatar

Speaking for myself, other than a brief time attending an Ordinariate liturgy (which used incense every time), I have only ever seen incense used 4-5 times in my years as a Catholic. It just isn't ordinarily used in the Novus Ordo, sadly. Thank you Phillip and Chantal! This is my first reflection so I'm glad it is being well-received.

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Chantal LaFortune's avatar

Same here. My pastor is quite traditional and tries to use it at every Mass with more than one altar server, while our other priests don’t seem to use it quite as much.

This was a beautiful reflection, Kaleb! I never knew that there was myrrh in incense, so I will now have an even better appreciation of it the next time I see it used at Mass. God bless you!

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Judson Carroll's avatar

Very well done! I would add that frankincense and myrrh were also very valuable gifts due to their medicinal value - the myrrh was actually more valuable by weight than the gold! Pliny the Elder noted that it had been the source of tremendous wealth in the Arab spice trade.

According to the Physicians’ Desk Reference for Herbal Medicines:

Myrrh is stated to possess antimicrobial, astringent, carminative, expectorant, anticatarral,

antiseptic and vulnerary properties. Traditionally, it has been used for aphthous ulcers,

pharyngitis, respiratory catarrh, common cold furunculosis, wounds and abrasions, and

specifically for mouth ulcers, gingivitis and pharyngitis. Myrrh’s local astringent, disinfectant

and granulation-promoting effects are as a result of its essential oil (consisting mainly of

sesquiterpenes) and amaroids.

Unproven uses: In folk medicine, Myrrh is occasionally used internally as a carminative for

nonspecific intestinal infections and also as an expectorant for coughs. Folk medicine uses have

also included stimulating the appetite and the flow of digestive juices.

Chinese Medicine: Uses include carbuncles, furuncles, wounds (as a styptic), amenorrhea and

abdominal tumors.

Indian Medicine: Among uses in Indian medicines are menstrual disorders, stomach complaints,

wounds, ulcers, and inflammations of the skin and mouth.

Hippocrates recommended Myrrh in formulas for violent pains of the eyes and fever.

Theophrastus described tapping certain trees such as pine to collect the resin, and the use of

gums such as frankincense and myrrh.

Dioscorides wrote of Myrrh:

Myrrhis is similar to hemlock in its stalk and leaves, but it has a long root — tender, round,

sweet smelling and pleasant to eat. A decoction (taken as a drink with wine) helps those bitten by

harvest spiders, and it purges out the menstrual flow and afterbirth. Boiled in liquid (to be

sipped) it is given for pulmonary consumption. Some say that it is a prophylactic against

infection (taken as a drink with wine, twice or three times a day) in pestilential seasons. It is also

called conila, or myrrha.

Saint Hildegard von Bingen recommended the scent of myrrh for bad dreams, melancholy and

even emotional issues caused by evil spirits. Internally, she recommended it infused in warm

wine for fevers.

In the German Folk Medicine tradition, Brother Aloysius recommended Myrrh be used for

weakness of stomach and intestines, mucus stomach, indigestion, irregular menstruation,

leukorrhea, chronic chest complaints, fevers, inflammation, gas, piles, swollen liver, poor

circulation, mucus lungs, thick, bad pus, mucus in the womb and bladder, as a mouthwash for

rotten teeth and gums, ulceration of the throat and throat complaints.

So... these tree resins do a whole lot more than just smell good! I do love "smells and bells" though!

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Kaleb Hammond's avatar

Thanks for the information Judson, I never knew they had so many applications, though hopefully I can just stick with its use as incense for the worship of God and avoid the problems it can alleviate!

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Kathleen Daley's avatar

Thank you, Kaleb, this is most informative and interesting. I have learned a few things which lead to meditative thoughts!

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Kaleb Hammond's avatar

Thank you, Kathleen, that's great! God bless!

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