2; an emblem of
prayer, and in this sense it is offered to the B. Sacrament, to Christ
represented by the crucifix, and adored on the altar. The gospel
is incensed to signify the sweet odour which it communicates to our
souls; and the ministers of God, to signify, according to St. Thomas,
that God maketh manifest _the odour_ of his knowledge by us in every
place: "For we are unto God _the good odour_ of Christ in them who are
saved, and in them who perish". 2 Cor. II, 14, 15. In fine the bread
and wine offered to God are incensed to signify the spices with which
the body of Christ was embalmed in the tomb; such at least is the
explanation given in the Liturgy of St. Chrysostom; and it is from the
oriental churches that the Latin church has taken this last practice.
Incense is a token of respect in these and other cases.]
[Footnote 25: A taper with a stand, called a _bugia_, is held at
divine service for persons in ecclesiastical dignity, as a sign of
distinction, and to throw additional light on the book from which they
read. The taper held for the Pope at the _cappelle_ has no stand,
and is enkindled from a light concealed within the desk, on which the
assistant Bishop places the missal. This is a memorial of an ancient
monastic custom mentioned by Martene Lib. 1, De rit. Eccl. p. 277,
232.]
CHAP. II.
ON THE CEREMONIES OF PALM-SUNDAY
_CONTENTS._
Part 1.
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