Antonio Mcgowan
Incense has been used in religious ceremonies for thousands of years, including in ancient China and in Buddhist, Shinto, Taoist, and Hindu ceremonies. In Catholicism, incense is used during Mass and other services to symbolise prayer and as a means of sanctifying and purifying. The use of incense in Catholic worship was likely influenced by its use in Jewish temple worship. While the use of incense in Catholic worship has declined in recent decades, lay Catholics may still burn incense at home during prayer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Use of incense by lay Catholics at home | Historically exceptional due to the expense involved, but permissible |
| Incense in Catholic worship | Used to symbolise prayer and as a means of sanctifying and purifying |
| Incense in Catholic Mass | Optional, but used to bless statues and images and to purify the coffin at funerals |
| Incense in Catholic Liturgy | Used during the Liturgy of the Hours and private prayers |
| Incense in Catholic history | First recorded use in Egypt around 2400 B.C., also used in ancient China |
| Incense in the Bible | Mentioned in the Bible 170 times, with instructions for use in the Book of Exodus |
| Incense in other religions | Used in Buddhist, Shinto, Taoist, and Hindu ceremonies |
| Appropriate way to use incense at home | Use a hand censer, not a swinging censer; make the sign of the cross with the censer over the object being censored |
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What You'll Learn
Incense is permissible for laypeople to use at home
Incense has been a part of religious celebrations for millennia, playing a role in ancient Egyptian, Buddhist, Shinto, Taoist, and Hindu ceremonies. The practice was also noted in the Talmud and the Bible, which mentions incense 170 times.
In the Catholic Church, incense is used during Mass, at funerals, and to bless statues and images. It is also used in the blessing of new churches, cemeteries, altars, sacred vessels, and other holy objects. The use of incense is seen as a symbol of prayer and a means of sanctifying and purifying.
While the use of incense in Catholic worship has declined in recent decades, it remains an important part of the liturgy for many Catholics. Incense is distributed to attendees for use at their own family altars and for the preparation of their home paschal candles at Easter.
For laypeople, using incense at home while praying or during private prayers is certainly permissible. A hand censer, rather than a swinging censer used by the clergy, should be used. The censer is held in the right hand, and the sign of the cross is made over whatever is being censured. The censer is then placed in the left hand, and the person makes the sign of the cross and bows. If praying in the morning or evening, one can cense before or after the prayer. It is also customary to have a Cross and Gospel in the icon corner.
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The appropriate way for laypeople to use incense at home
Incense has been used in religious celebrations for millennia, playing a role in ancient Egyptian, Buddhist, Shinto, Taoist, and Hindu ceremonies. The practice was also noted in the Talmud and the Bible, which mentions incense 170 times.
In the Catholic Church, incense is used to symbolise prayer and as a means of sanctifying and purifying. The smoke of the incense, along with the prayers of God’s people, is believed to rise to God. Incense is also used to bless statues and images and to purify coffins at funerals.
Historically, it was uncommon for laypeople to use incense at home due to its expense. However, it is permissible for laypeople to burn incense at home, and some Catholics do so because it reminds them that God's beauty is everywhere. If you are a layperson who wishes to use incense at home, you should use a hand censer, not a swinging censer like the clergy. When censing with a hand censer, hold it in your right hand and make the sign of the cross with the censer over whatever you are censing. Then, place the censer in your left hand, make the sign of the cross again, and bow. If you are censing other people, make the sign of the cross with the censer and then bow to them without signing yourself.
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Incense is used to symbolise prayer and sanctification
Incense has been used in Catholic worship since the 5th century, with the first recorded use of incense for worship dating back to Egypt around 2400 B.C. The use of incense in worship was likely influenced by its presence in the Old Testament, where God commanded Moses to build an altar of incense to stand alongside the altar of sacrifice.
Incense is used in the Catholic Church to symbolise prayer and sanctification. The smoke from the incense is believed to symbolise the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven, connecting our worship on earth with the worship of heaven. This is reflected in Psalm 141: "Let my prayer rise before you like incense, O Lord". The use of incense also creates a solemn and beautiful atmosphere that is fitting for the worship of God and the highest prayer offered to Him.
In addition to symbolising prayer, incense is also used to sanctify and purify. For example, during the offertory, incense is used to bless and pray for the purification of the bread and wine, as well as the spiritual gifts placed on the altar. Incense is also used to anoint and pray for the purification and sanctification of the priest and the congregation.
The use of incense in Catholic worship is considered optional and is not as common as it once was. However, it is still used during special occasions, such as funerals, where the priest may incense the coffin as a sign of honour to the deceased and as a symbol of the faithful's prayers rising to God.
While the use of incense is typically associated with clergy, lay Catholics can also burn incense at home. Historically, it may have been uncommon due to the expense, but it is permissible. When using incense at home, a layperson would typically use a hand censer, making the sign of the cross with the censer over the objects or people being censed.
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Incense is used to purify
In Catholicism, incense is used to purify the coffin at funerals and to bless statues and images. In the Old Testament, God instructed Moses to build an altar of incense to stand beside the altar of sacrifice. The use of incense in Catholic worship is said to connect the worship on earth with the worship of heaven.
In Buddhism, monks have used incense to purify their surroundings for thousands of years. One study showed that burning incense for an hour reduced the bacteria in the air by 94%.
In ancient times, incense was burned by priests to fumigate tombs. Incense was also used in ancient China and has been a part of Buddhist, Shinto, Taoist, and Hindu ceremonies. The Babylonians used incense while offering prayers to divine oracles, and the practice spread to Greece and Rome. Incense burners have also been found in the Indus Civilization.
Today, incense is used to purify spaces in yoga studios, wellness offices, and homes. It is also used as a simple deodorant or insect repellent.
While incense has been used for its aromatic and spiritual properties, studies have shown that it can pose health dangers. Burning incense may increase the risk of respiratory diseases such as asthma, as well as contribute to overall inflammation and cognitive issues in older adults. However, it is not officially deemed a major public health risk comparable to smoking tobacco.
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Incense is distributed to laypeople for use at home
Incense has been used in religious celebrations for thousands of years, including in ancient China and in Buddhist, Shinto, Taoist, and Hindu ceremonies. The practice of burning incense has been adopted by the Catholic Church and is used in liturgical celebrations and as a symbol of prayer.
The use of incense in the Catholic Church can be traced back to the 5th century, with the rituals of the Divine Liturgies of Saint James and Saint Mark, and its use increased in the East and West in the following centuries. Incense is now used by the Church in many areas outside of Mass, including in the blessing of new churches, cemeteries, and sacred items, and during the Liturgy of the Hours or private prayers.
While the use of incense in Catholic worship is common, it is not essential for laypeople to use it at home. Historically, it was likely uncommon for laypeople to use incense at home due to the expense. However, it is permissible, and some individuals choose to include incense burning as part of their prayer practices. When using incense at home, laypeople should use a hand censer rather than a swinging censer, which is typically used by the clergy. The censer is held in the right hand, and the sign of the cross is made over the object or person being censed. The censer is then transferred to the left hand, and the person makes the sign of the cross and bows.
In addition to its use in prayer, incense is also distributed to laypeople for use at their family altars and to prepare their home paschal candles for Easter.
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Frequently asked questions
Lay Catholics can use incense at home, although historically it has been uncommon due to the expense. Incense is used in the Catholic Church as a symbol of prayer and as a means of sanctifying and purifying.
A layperson should use a hand censer, rather than a swinging censer, which is typically used by the clergy. The censer is held in the right hand, and the sign of the cross is made over whatever is being censured. The censer is then placed in the left hand, and the person makes the sign of the cross and bows. If you are doing morning or evening prayers, you can cense before or after the prayer.
Incense can be used at home on Saturday evenings, on the eves of feasts, on the eves of family members' name days, on the eve of the patron of the family church, and on other occasions.
