Continuing a week of posting oddities, here is a short video of the Pope filling the largest thurible in the world, the one at Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Now one may wonder, given Father Orthoduck’s postings about odd accidents lately, whether there have even been accidents with this thurible, and the answer is, “yes.” Here is a quote that speaks to the accidents that have happened with this thurible.
There have been a number of accidents that occurred during the swinging of the Botafumeiro over the years. Apparently at one time, the Botafumeiro was attached to the rope with a hook which sometimes became disconnected. One of the most renowned accidents took place during a visit of Princess Catherine of Aragon. She was on a journey to marry the heir to the English throne in 1499 and stopped by the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela. While it was being swung, the Botafumeiro flew out of the cathedral through the Platerias high window. No one was reported to have been injured on this occasion. The ropes and other devices securing the Botafumeiro have also failed on May 23, 1622, and more recently in 1925 and July 1937. In 1622, the Botafumeiro fell at the feet of the tiraboleiros. In July 1937, the cords holding the Botafumeiro failed again, and hot coals were spilled on the ground. Current procedure is to attach the rope to the Botafumeiro with a set of “sailor’s knots”.
So, be grateful that your priest uses a small thurible, but make sure to duck if he gets too enthusiastic!
How can anyone possibly pray with that giant thing flying around a cathedral??
Tom, they swimg the Botafumeiro at the end of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass I believe, it is not swung for the entire Mass. It would help you to pray actually becasuse it fills the air with the heavenly scent of incesnse as Sister sings that beautiful music!