December 27, 2020

Small Lived Experiences of the Faith
Based on Signs of Life by Scott Hahn

This Week's Focus:
December 27 (Feast of the Holy Family)

Theme:  Incense & Sacred Images
Chapters in the Book:  23 & 25 (pages 157-161 & 166-171)  

Sunday Readings:  ENGLISH     SPANISH

Tami Maurer, Coordinator of Religious Education
For All Grades (K-2, 3-5, & 6-8)
Video:  Why Do Catholics Have Images & Statues
Activity & Craft:  Stained Glass Nativity Craft (from a Protestant site, so focus on the craft portion only).

Chad Grube, Director of Adult Faith Formation & Evangelization

"The offering of incense is like Mary's anointing (of Jesus) at Bethany.  It is as free and objectless as beauty.  It burns and is consumed like love that lasts through death.  And the arid soul still takes his stand and asks the same question:  What is the good of it?  It is the offering of a sweet savor which Scripture itself tells us is the prayer of the Saints.  Incense is the symbol of prayer.  Like pure prayer it has in view no object of its own; it asks nothing for itself.  It rises like the Gloria at the end of a psalm in adoration and thanksgiving to God for his great glory."

            -- Romano Guardini in Sacred Signs
 

Resources

• Resources on FORMED
  • Elements of the Catholic Mass -- Incense
  • Signs & Symbols
  • Sacramentals & Signs:  Objects, Actions, & Words as Avenues of Grace by Regis Flaherty (BOOK)
• Outside Resources
  • Evangelizing through Beauty by Bishop Robert Barron
  • Built of Living Stones:  Art, Architecture, and Worship a document from the USCCB
  • Why Incense? by Fr. Brice Higginbotham from Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux
  • What's with the Incense? by Bishop Christopher Coyne
  • Why Is Incense Used During Mass? by Fr. William Saunders at EWTN
  • NEW ADVENT on Incense
  • Why Do Catholics Burn Incense? by Fr. Patrick Tobin
  • Incense in the Catholic Church
  • Holy Smoke - The Use of Incense in the Catholic Church by Matthew D. Herrera
  • Holy Smokes:  Why Catholics Use Incense in Worship by Gretchen Filz
  • Using Icons & Sacred Art to Help Us Pray (Download document below):