thurifer

A thurifer is an assistant minister in Christian liturgy who carries and swings a thurible, a type of censer. The thurible contains burning incense, which is released in clouds as it is swung. This practice is most common in Catholic, Anglican, and some Lutheran traditions, though its use can vary.

The thurifer's role is significant in adding to the solemnity and sensory experience of a religious service. Incense has a long history in religious practice, symbolizing prayer rising to heaven, purification, and reverence. The thurifer's movements are often precise and deliberate, timed with specific moments in the liturgy, such as the Gospel reading, the presentation of gifts, or the elevation of the Host.

Typically, the thurifer is vested in an alb or cassock and a cincture. They are instructed in the proper handling of the thurible, which can be heavy and hot. In larger churches, there may be two thurifers, one on each side of the officiating priest or deacon. The act of incensation is a visual and olfactory element that enhances the sacred atmosphere of worship. The term "thurifer" derives from the Latin word "thus," meaning incense.