Editing Censer (section)

===Western churches===
[[File:QuinnCense.jpg|thumb|right|Censer used during Mass]]
In the [[Latin Church]] and its [[Latin liturgical rites]] of the [[Catholic Church]] and some other groups, the censer is often called a ''[[thurible]]'', and used during important offices ([[benediction]]s, processions, and important [[Mass in the Catholic Church|Masses]]). A common design for a thurible is a metal container, about the size and shape of a coffee-pot, suspended on chains. The bowl contains hot coals, and the incense is placed on top of these. The thurible is then swung back and forth on its chains, spreading the fragrant smoke.

A famous thurible is the ''[[Botafumeiro]]'', in the cathedral of [[Santiago de Compostela]]. Suspended from the ceiling of the cathedral, the swinging of this {{convert|5|ft|m|adj=on}} high, 55 kilogram silver vessel is an impressive sight.<ref name=autogenerated1 />

One of the explanations for the great size of the Botafumeiro is that in the early days it was used to freshen the air in the cathedral after being visited by droves of travel-weary pilgrims.  It was also once believed that the incense smoke guarded against contracting the many diseases that plagued the populace in past centuries.<ref name=autogenerated1 />

Some thuribles were based on an architectural motif, for example the Gozbert Censer from the Cathedral of Trier inspired by the Temple of Solomon.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Gomez-Moreno|first=Carmen|title=Medieval Art from Private Collections A Special Exhibition at The Cloisters October 30, 1968, through March 30, 1969|publisher=The Metropolitan Museum of Art|year=1968|location=New York|pages=89}}</ref>