Heidi Norton
Incense is used in many religions, including Hinduism, Judaism, and Christianity. In the Catholic Church, incense is used during Mass to add to the solemnity of the occasion. The priest, or celebrant, imposes incense into the thurible and blesses it with the sign of the cross. The priest is incensed with three swings of the thurible, along with the altar, the Book of the Gospels, and the congregation. The use of incense is optional and the priest has discretion over how frequently it is used. However, there are certain times when incense is commonly used, such as during funeral Masses and at the beginning of Mass. Some people are allergic to incense, and churches have been asked to consider reserving certain seats for those who are adversely affected.
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What You'll Learn
Incense during Mass
Incense has long been used in religious worship, with the practice dating back to the Old and New Testaments. In the Book of Exodus, the Lord instructs Moses to build an altar for burning incense at the entrance to the meeting tent where the ark of the covenant was kept. In the Catholic Church, the use of incense adds to the solemnity of the Mass. The rising smoke is symbolic of the prayers of the congregation being lifted to God, and the act of incensing is a way of paying respect to the object or person it is directed towards.
The General Instruction of the Roman Missal and the Ceremonial of Bishops contain most indications regarding how to incense during Mass. Incense may be used at any form of Mass, including during the entrance procession, at the beginning of Mass to incense the cross and the altar, at the Gospel procession and proclamation, at the offertory to incense the offerings, the altar, priest and congregation, and at the elevation of the host and the chalice after the consecration. Incense is also used at funerals, where the celebrant incenses the casket containing the deceased's remains.
The priest, or celebrant, imposes incense into the thurible (the vessel in which incense is burned) and blesses it. The thurible is then swung towards the person or object being incensed, with the number of swings depending on the object or person. For example, the Blessed Sacrament, a relic of the Cross, and the priest himself are incensed with three double swings, while relics or images of the Virgin Mary and the saints are incensed with two double swings.
The use of incense during Mass is a long-standing tradition in the Roman Catholic Church, as well as in the Eastern Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican Churches. However, it is important to note that some people may have respiratory problems or allergies that are exacerbated by the use of incense. In such cases, accommodations can be made, such as reserving certain seats away from the areas where incense is most frequently used or using more moderate brands of incense with weaker aromas.
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Incense at funerals
Incense has been used in religious ceremonies for millennia, with the first recorded use in Egypt around 2400 BC. The practice has been adopted by various religions, including ancient Chinese, Buddhist, Shinto, and Taoist traditions, as well as the Catholic Church. In the context of funerals, the use of incense holds significant meaning and serves multiple purposes.
In funeral Masses, the priest, or presider, will incense the coffin as a sign of reverence for the deceased and as a symbol of prayer. This act is rooted in the belief that the deceased became a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit through baptism. The sweet-smelling smoke rising from the thurible (the vessel in which incense is burned) adds to the solemnity and mystery of the Mass. The visual imagery and fragrance of the smoke remind us of the transcendence of the Mass, linking heaven and earth, and allowing us to enter into the presence of God.
The use of incense during funeral rites also symbolizes the purification and sanctification of the coffin and the surrounding area. In religious texts, such as Exodus in the Old Testament, God instructed Moses to build an altar of incense and offered specific recipes for its preparation. The smoke from the incense was believed to symbolize the prayers of the faithful rising up to Heaven, just as a pillar of smoke led the people through the wilderness in ancient times.
While the use of incense is optional for most Masses, its inclusion in funeral services adds a sense of solemnity and spiritual significance. The priest may also incense the Crucifix and the Paschal Candle during the funeral Mass. The practice of incensing during funerals is a powerful reminder of the connection between the earthly and the divine, offering comfort and hope to those in mourning.
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Incense at the start of Mass
Incense is used at Mass to symbolise the prayers of the congregation being lifted to God, and to pay honour to the object or person it is directed towards. The practice has its roots in the Old and New Testaments, where God instructs Moses to build an altar for burning incense.
The use of incense at the start of Mass is permitted in the Catholic Church, and the priest celebrating the Mass, or the celebrant, imposes incense into the thurible (the vessel in which incense is burned) and blesses it. The priest incenses the altar, and if the altar cross is not directly in front of the priest, they bow and incense the cross with three double swings, before resuming the incensing of the altar. The priest may also incense the gospel book before it is proclaimed.
The ceremonial rules for incensing are as follows: three double swings are made to incense the priest, and two double swings are made to incense relics or images of saints. The double swing is a mode of incensing where the thurible is raised and swung twice towards the object or person, and then lowered.
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Incense at the end of Mass
Incense has been used in religious worship for thousands of years, dating back to ancient Egypt and China, and playing a role in Buddhist, Shinto, Taoist, Jewish, and Christian ceremonies. The use of incense in Catholic Mass is optional and is left to the priest's discretion. It is often used to purify the coffin at funerals and to bless statues and images.
The priest, or celebrant, typically imposes incense into the thurible and blesses it before the start of Mass. Incense may then be used during the entrance procession, at the beginning of Mass, to incense the cross and the
During funeral Masses, the priest incenses the casket as a sign of honour to the deceased and as a symbol of the faithful's prayers rising to God. The use of incense adds solemnity and mystery to the Mass, with the visual imagery of smoke and aroma reminding attendees of the transcendence of the Mass, linking heaven and earth.
The act of incensing and the smoke itself symbolize purification and sanctification, with the smoke representing the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. This symbolism is echoed in Psalm 141: "Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice."
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Incense in other religions
The use of incense in religious ceremonies and worship has a long history, dating back to ancient times. Incense is believed to have originated in the Indus Valley Civilisation in 3600 BC and was later used by the Egyptians in the Fifth Dynasty (2345-2494 BC). From there, its use spread to other parts of the world, including China, Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia.
Hinduism
Incense holds a significant place in Hinduism, with its use in religious rituals and worship being widespread in India. In Hindu tradition, incense is offered to various deity forms, such as Krishna and Rama, as a sign of loyalty and devotion. This practice is rooted in the Bhagavad-Gita, where Krishna accepts offerings made with love.
Buddhism and Taoism
In East Asian Buddhist ceremonies and Chinese Taoist temples, incense plays an invaluable role. Worshippers light and burn incense sticks, which they wave or raise above their heads while bowing to statues or plaques of deities or ancestors. The incense sticks are then placed in censers, either vertically or horizontally, depending on the tradition.
Shinto
Japanese Shinto shrines honouring deities such as Inari Okami or the Seven Lucky Gods also utilise incense in their rituals. The sticks of incense are typically placed horizontally into censers filled with ash due to the lack of a supporting core in the sticks.
Neopaganism and Wicca
Neopagan and Wiccan traditions incorporate incense into their rituals to represent the element of air. More modern interpretations suggest that incense actually symbolises all four elements: earth, air, fire, and water. The burning of specific incense fragrances is believed to create a magical atmosphere conducive to invoking deities and spirits.
Satanism
Some forms of Satanism use incense to create an atmosphere conducive to summoning demons, who are believed to perform tasks such as fortune-telling, healing, or placing curses. Patchouli, also known as Graveyard Dust, is a commonly used incense variety in Satanic rituals.
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Frequently asked questions
The priest is incensed at least three times during Mass: during the entrance procession, at the beginning of Mass, and at the procession and proclamation of the Gospel. The priest may also be incensed at the offertory, at the elevation of the host and the chalice after the consecration, and during the final commendation at funeral Masses.
Incensing the priest is an expression of reverence and prayer. The visual imagery of the rising smoke is symbolic of the prayers of the congregation being lifted towards God.
The type of incense used during Mass can vary. Some churches use pungent forms of incense, while others use more moderate brands. The incense used at Sacred Heart Church, for example, is made of the highest quality resins and gums and contains no chemicals.
The use of incense during Mass has its roots in the Old and New Testaments. In the Book of Exodus, the Lord instructed Moses to build an altar for burning incense at the entrance to the meeting tent where the ark of the covenant was kept. Incense has long been used in religious worship to symbolise the prayers of the congregation rising to God and to honour the object or person to whom it is directed.
