Censing angel

 

Censing angel

Christy Cunniffe

This image of a censing angel is carved on the apex of the late medieval or Gothic inner order of the west doorway of Clonfert Cathedral. It shows an angel in the process of censing or blessing those entering the church by means of a small thurible. One of the religious themes that it might represent is the act of churching – that is the blessing or ritual cleansing that women underwent after giving birth before they could enter the church.