Anisha Riggs
Incense has been used in religious rituals for thousands of years, dating back to ancient China, Egypt, and India. It is used in many faiths, including Buddhism, Shintoism, Taoism, Judaism, and Christianity. In Catholicism, incense is used in liturgical celebrations and is swung by priests and altar servers during Mass. The smoke is believed to symbolically purify all that it touches, sanctifying and connecting the worship on earth with the worship of heaven.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Religion | Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Shintoism, Taoism |
| Religious sects | Catholicism, Lutheranism, Anglicanism, Orthodox Christianity, Liberal Catholicism |
| Purpose | Symbol of sanctification and purification, Symbol of prayer, Sacrificial offering |
| Use | During Mass, To bless statues and images, To purify the coffin at funerals |
| History | Used in Jewish temple worship, Mentioned in the Bible, Used in ancient China, India, and Egypt |
| People | Pope John Paul II allowed Vietnamese Catholics to use incense sticks |
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What You'll Learn
Incense is used to symbolise sanctification and purification
The use of incense in Catholic liturgies is deeply symbolic, with every element serving a specific purpose. Incense is used in Catholic worship to symbolise sanctification and purification, connecting the worship on earth with the worship of heaven.
The smoke of incense is interpreted as a symbol of sanctification and purification, representing the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. This symbolism is seen in Psalm 141 (140), verse 2: "Let my prayer be directed as incense in thy sight: the lifting up of my hands, as the evening sacrifice". Similarly, in the Revelation of John, incense is described as the prayers of the saints rising to heaven from a "golden bowl full of incense".
Incense is also used as a tool for purification. In Catholic liturgy, the smoke of incense is believed to purify the sacred space, making it a worthy place for the worship of God. This ritual of cleansing is mentioned in Exodus 30:1-10 and 30:34-38, where God provides instructions on how to make and use incense for the purification of the Tabernacle.
The use of incense in Catholic worship is rooted in the traditions of Judaism and early Christianity. The Bible, particularly the Old Testament, mentions incense in various passages, associating it with sanctification and purification. For instance, in Exodus 30:34-36, God instructs Moses on how to make and use incense for worship in the Tabernacle:
> "Take these aromatic substances: storax, onycha and galbanum, these and pure frankincense in equal parts; and blend them into incense. This fragrant powder, expertly prepared, is to be salted and so kept pure and sacred. Grind some of it into fine dust and put this before the covenant in the tent of meeting where I will meet with you. This incense shall be treated as most sacred by you."
The use of incense in Catholic liturgies adds solemnity and beauty to the worship experience, engaging the senses of the congregation and creating an ambiance that connects the earthly and heavenly realms.
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It is used in Catholic worship to connect with the worship of heaven
The use of incense in Catholic worship is rooted in the traditions of Judaism, with the first recorded use of incense from around 2400 BC in Egypt. The Bible mentions incense 170 times, and its use in prayer and worship carries Christian symbolism. Incense is noted in the Talmud and the Old Testament, where God commands the use of incense in worship in the Tabernacle.
The smoke of burning incense is interpreted by the Western Catholic and Eastern Christian churches as a symbol of the prayer of the faithful rising to heaven. This symbolism is seen in Psalm 141 (140), verse 2: "Let my prayer be directed as incense in thy sight: the lifting up of my hands, as the evening sacrifice". The use of incense thus connects worship on earth with the worship of heaven.
The smoke of incense is also symbolic of sanctification and purification. In the Revelation of John, incense symbolises the prayers of the saints in heaven, with the smoke infusing upwards towards the altar of God. The use of incense in Catholic worship is therefore an important symbol of connecting with the worship of heaven.
The practice of burning incense is also common among Vietnamese Catholics, with the belief that Pope John Paul II declared that Vietnamese Catholics could do so without compromising their faith.
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Incense is used to bless statues and images
Incense is used in Catholic liturgies to symbolise a theological truth. The smoke of incense symbolises sanctification, purification, and the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. Incense is burned in front of statues and icons, not to them, and is directed to God.
The use of incense in Catholic worship is inspired by passages in the Bible. In the Old Testament, God commands Moses to make an Altar of Incense for worship in the Tabernacle:
> You shall make an altar to burn incense upon; of acacia wood shall you make it . . . And Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it; every morning when he dresses the lamps he shall burn it, and when Aaron sets up the lamps in the evening, he shall burn it, a perpetual incense before the Lord throughout your generations. (Ex. 30:34-38)
The use of incense in Catholic worship also has roots in the Jewish tradition that came before it—a tradition that was commanded by God Himself and recorded in Sacred Scripture. Incense was used in the Temple in Jerusalem, and the practice continued throughout the Old Testament period.
In the New Testament, the apostle John writes about the offering of incense in the Book of Revelation:
> The twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each of the elders held a harp and gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the holy ones (5:8).
The use of incense in Catholic worship is not limited to Mass and other liturgical services. Burning incense at home is customary for many Catholics, especially as a way to commemorate special Feast Days or mark times of prayer.
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It is used to purify the coffin at funerals
Incense has been used in religious contexts for thousands of years, dating back to ancient Egypt, China, and India. It is employed in a variety of faiths, including Buddhism, Shintoism, Taoism, Hinduism, Judaism, and various branches of Christianity.
Within the Catholic Church, incense is used during Mass as a symbol of prayer and worship. The smoke from burning incense is interpreted as a symbol of the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. This symbolism is derived from passages in the Bible, such as Psalm 141 (140), verse 2: "Let my prayer be directed as incense in thy sight: the lifting up of my hands, as the evening sacrifice."
In the context of funerals, incense is used to purify the coffin. The priest typically circles the casket while swinging a thurible (a metal censer holding burning incense), and the rising smoke symbolises the prayers of the faithful ascending to God, invoking mercy for the soul of the departed. This ritual provides spiritual meaning and comfort to the grieving family, as it signifies that the church community is praying for the eternal rest of their loved one.
In addition to its use during Mass and funerals, incense is also employed in Catholic worship to bless statues and images. However, it is worth noting that the use of incense is optional for most Masses, and some Catholic priests choose not to incorporate it.
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Incense is offered to Mary at shrines
The use of incense in Catholic worship is inspired by passages in the Bible. It has been employed in worship by Christians since antiquity, particularly in the Roman Catholic Church/Eastern Catholic Church, Orthodox Christian churches, Lutheran Churches, Old Catholic/Liberal Catholic Churches, and some Anglican Churches. Incense is used at the celebration of the Eucharist, at solemn celebrations of the Divine Office, in particular at Solemn Vespers, at Solemn Evensong, at funerals, benediction and exposition of the Eucharist, the consecration of a church or altar, and at other services.
In Vietnamese Catholic churches, it is common to have a shrine to Mary, where people often leave incense sticks, usually at the base of the statue. This practice was permitted by Pope John Paul II, who declared that Vietnamese Catholics could burn incense without compromising their faith. The smoke of burning incense is interpreted by both the Western Catholic and Eastern Christian churches as a symbol of the prayer of the faithful rising to heaven. This symbolism is seen in Psalm 141 (140), verse 2: "Let my prayer be directed as incense in thy sight: the lifting up of my hands, as the evening sacrifice."
The use of incense is optional for most Masses. However, many Catholic priests choose not to use it, and over the last 50 years, many Catholic traditions involving incense have been abandoned and forgotten.
Incense is also used in East Asian Buddhist ceremonies and rites, as well as in Chinese Taoist and Japanese Shinto shrines for the deity Inari Okami, or the Seven Lucky Gods.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the use of incense is an integral part of Catholic worship and has been since antiquity.
The smoke of incense is interpreted as a symbol of sanctification, purification, and the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. Incense is also used as part of a purification ritual.
Incense is used at Mass and other liturgical services. Priests and altar servers swing censers, sending clouds of incense through the air.
Incense is often made with frankincense, myrrh, benzoin, styrax, copal, or other aromatics.
