Seamus Hammond
Incense is referenced many times in the Old Testament, and its use is steeped in tradition and ritual. The burning of incense is symbolic of the prayers of the saints, and the fragrant fumes are said to represent the prayers of godly people. The Gospel of Luke reveals a change in tradition, where ordinary priests were permitted to burn incense, not only the high priest. The book of Leviticus mentions fragrant offerings that pre-figure the voluntary offering of Jesus, and the burning of incense is also mentioned in Exodus. Incense is used in the rite of dedication of a church or altar, and during the singing of the Gospel canticle at solemn Morning or Evening Prayers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to incense the gospel book | During the Entrance procession |
| At the beginning of Mass | |
| At the Gospel procession and the proclamation of the Gospel itself | |
| After the bread and the chalice have been placed upon the altar | |
| At the showing of the host and the chalice after the consecration | |
| Rules | The priest, having put incense into the thurible, blesses it with the sign of the Cross, without saying anything |
| Before and after an incensation, a profound bow is made to the person or object that is incensed, except for the incensation of the altar and the offerings for the Sacrifice of the Mass | |
| The Most Blessed Sacrament, a relic of the Holy Cross and images of the Lord exposed for public veneration, the offerings for the sacrifice of the Mass, the altar cross are incensed with three swings of the thurible | |
| Relics or images of Our Lady and the saints set up for veneration are incensed with two double swings | |
| The altar is incensed by single swings |
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What You'll Learn
Incense during the entrance procession
Incense has been used in religious ceremonies for millennia, and its use is described in the Bible. For instance, Moses is instructed by God to take spices and "make incense, a perfume, the work of a perfumer, salted, pure, and holy". The Bible also describes how incense should be burned to God each morning and evening, along with offerings and a lampstand.
In the Roman Missal, the use of incense is permitted at any Mass. There are five points at which incense is typically used: the entrance procession, the altar and its cross at the beginning of Mass, the Gospel, the preparation of the gifts, and the elevations during the Eucharistic Prayer.
If incense is used during the opening procession of Mass, the celebrant "imposes" incense (i.e., places incense on the coals within the thurible) in the sacristy or in another location where the procession will actually begin. The thurifer opens the censer, holding the ring of the chain(s) in his left hand and the chain(s) close to the bowl of the censer in his right hand. The deacon or another server holds the incense boat (the vessel that contains the grains of unburned incense) in his left hand and presents the spoon to the celebrant with his right hand. The celebrant, holding the spoon in his right hand and with his left hand resting on his chest, imposes incense three times before returning the spoon to the deacon. The deacon then transfers the incense boat to his left hand once again to receive the spoon with his right. The celebrant joins his hands and then, with his left hand to his chest, makes the sign of the cross in the shape of a Greek cross toward the open censer with his right hand, saying nothing, before joining his hands once again. The thurifer closes the censer and goes to the head of the procession to await its beginning. As the procession makes its way to the sanctuary, the thurifer, holding the censer from its ring in his right hand, gently swings the censer backwards and forwards.
In the Ambrosian Rite, the thurible has no top cover and is swung clockwise before censing a person or object. In the Lutheran Churches, the thurible is carried by an acolyte known as the thurifer, and its use is normative during the celebration of the Mass. In the Eastern Rites at the beginning of Mass, the altar and sanctuary area are incensed while Psalm 50, the "Miserere", is chanted, invoking the mercy of God.
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Incense at the beginning of Mass
Incense has been used in worship since ancient times, with the Bible providing detailed instructions on how to make and use incense. For instance, Exodus 30:34–38 describes blending aromatic substances with pure frankincense in equal parts, even prescribing how finely it should be ground.
Incense is used in the Mass to incense the altar at the beginning of the service, during the entrance procession, and at the Gospel procession and proclamation. The priest may also incense the crucifix and the Paschal candle. During funeral masses, the priest may also incense the coffin 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 a sense of solemnity and mystery to the Mass. The visual imagery of the smoke and the smell remind us of the transcendence of the Mass, linking heaven and earth, and allowing us to enter into the presence of God. The rising smoke symbolises our prayers rising to God, and the connectedness between the altar, the sacrifice, and those offering and uniting themselves to the sacrifice.
The amount of incense used can vary depending on the day of the liturgy. For example, during the most solemn days of the year, such as Christmas and Easter, incense may be used profusely throughout the liturgy.
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Incense at the Gospel procession
Incense is used during the Gospel procession and the proclamation of the Gospel itself. The priest puts incense into the thurible and blesses it with the sign of the cross, without saying anything. Before and after incensing, a profound bow is made to the person or object being incensed, except for the incensation of the altar and the offerings for the Sacrifice of the Mass.
The following are incensed with three double swings of the thurible: the Most Blessed Sacrament, a relic of the Holy Cross, images of the Lord exposed for public veneration, the offerings for the sacrifice of the Mass, the altar cross, the Book of the Gospels, the Easter candle, the celebrant (bishop or priest), a representative of the civil authority officially present at a celebration, the choir, the people, and the body of a deceased person.
In procession, the thurifer swings the thurible at full length from their right hand. In their left hand, they carry the boat against their breast, but their left hand rests flat on the breast if there is a boat bearer. It is not necessary to let the bowl strike the chains.
The Ceremonial of Bishops (Nos. 84-98) adds further details to these general indications for Mass. Incense is used during solemn processions such as the feast of the Presentation, Palm Sunday, and Corpus Christi, and during the singing of the Gospel canticle at solemn Morning or Evening Prayers.
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Incense the priest and the people
Incense is used in Christian worship to symbolise the holiness of God and the prayers of the faithful. The Bible describes incense as an offering to God, and it is often associated with prayer.
In the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church, incense is used to incense the priest and the people during Mass. The priest holds the thurible open, and the deacon or another server puts incense in it. The priest then blesses it with the Sign of the Cross. The priest incenses the people with three double swings of the thurible, and the people may also be incensed with a candle during the Greater Censing. This is done during Bright Week, which begins on Easter Sunday, and the priest carries a special Paschal candle while greeting the members of the congregation.
In the Lutheran Churches, the thurible is carried by an acolyte, and its use is normative during the celebration of the Mass. The priest and the faithful are incensed during various portions of the Divine Service.
In Anglican churches, the use of incense varies, but it may be used to cense the priest and the congregation during the service. The priest is censed with three swings of the thurible, and the congregation is censed with a swing to the gospel side, the epistle side, and the middle.
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Incense the altar cross
The act of incensing the altar cross is steeped in ritual and symbolism. The altar of incense, mentioned in Exodus, is described as a square-topped acacia wood structure overlaid with gold and situated before the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. The altar of incense is a sacred vessel for the sacred blend of spices and fragrances, including stacte, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense, which are believed to be holy and pleasing to God.
The process of incensing the altar cross typically involves the following steps:
- The priest prepares the incense by placing it in a thurible, a container designed to hold hot coals and incense.
- The priest blesses the incense with the sign of the cross without uttering any words. This silent blessing is a solemn act of devotion.
- If the altar is freestanding, the priest incenses it by walking around it. If the altar is not freestanding, the priest incenses it by moving first to the right and then to the left.
- The priest then turns their attention to the altar cross. If the cross is situated on or near the altar, the priest incenses it before incensing the altar. Otherwise, the priest incenses the cross when passing in front of it.
- The priest makes three swings of the thurible, or double swings, in the direction of the altar cross. This action is believed to sanctify and bless the cross, filling the air with fragrant smoke.
- Before and after incensing the altar cross, the priest bows profoundly as a sign of reverence and respect.
The act of incensing the altar cross is not merely a physical ritual but holds symbolic significance. The incense is believed to represent the presence and prayers of Christ, with the fragrant smoke symbolising the sweet-smelling savour of believers' prayers rising to God. The altar of incense, with its perpetual burning, also signifies the continuous nature of Christ's mediation and intercession on behalf of humanity.
Thus, the act of incensing the altar cross is a solemn and sacred ritual, steeped in religious symbolism and carrying profound spiritual meaning for those who participate in it.
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Frequently asked questions
Incense is used during the Entrance procession, at the beginning of Mass, during the singing of the Gospel canticle at solemn Morning or Evening Prayers, and during solemn processions such as the feast of the Presentation, Palm Sunday, and Corpus Christi.
The customary rules governing the different forms of incensation are as follows: three double swings are made to incense the Blessed Sacrament, a relic of the Cross, images of Our Lord set up for veneration, the gifts on the altar, the altar cross, the Book of the Gospels, the Easter candle, the celebrant (bishop or priest), a representative of the civil authority officially present at a celebration, the choir, the people, and the body of a deceased person.
The fragrant fumes that ascended from the incense represented the prayers of godly people, those in covenant relationship with Jehovah. The book of Revelation indicates that “incense” is symbolic of “the prayers of the saints” (Revelation 5:8; 8:3-4).
God’s instructions specified that the incense burned on the altar in the tabernacle “shall be most holy for you,” emphasizing its exclusive use for worship (Exodus 30:36–37). This instruction prohibited the Israelites from using the sacred blend for personal use, with severe consequences for misuse. For example, two of Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, died for improper worship involving incense (Leviticus 10:1–2).
