Heidi Norton
Incense has been used in religious ceremonies for thousands of years, with the practice rooted in antiquity. In the Christian faith, incense is used to symbolise the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. In Catholic worship, incense is used at the celebration of the Eucharist, at solemn celebrations of the Divine Office, and in other services. The use of incense at Mass is an important part of Catholic worship, symbolising the connection between worship on earth and worship in heaven. The Vatican's guidance on the use of incense at Mass is that it may be used during the entrance procession, at the beginning of Mass to incense the altar, at the procession and proclamation of the Gospel, at the offertory, and at the elevation of the Sacred Host and chalice of Precious Blood after the consecration.
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What You'll Learn
- Incense is used to symbolise the sanctification and purification of objects and people
- Incense is used during processions, at the beginning of Mass, and during the proclamation of the Gospel
- Incense is used at the offertory to purify offerings, the altar, priest and people
- Incense is used at the elevation of the Sacred Host and chalice of Precious Blood
- Incense is used during funeral Masses to purify the coffin and as a sign of honour to the deceased
Incense is used to symbolise the sanctification and purification of objects and people
Incense has been used in religious contexts since ancient times, with the earliest documented use of incense coming from Ancient China around 2000 BCE. The use of incense in the Catholic Church is inspired by passages in the Bible, and its use in prayer and worship carries Christian symbolism. Incense is used to symbolise the sanctification and purification of objects and people.
In the Catholic Church, incense is used to symbolise the sanctification and purification of objects and people. The smoke from burning incense is interpreted as a symbol of 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 hand, as the evening sacrifice". The use of incense adds a sense of solemnity and mystery to the Mass, with the visual imagery of the smoke and the smell reminding us of the transcendence of the Mass, linking heaven and earth, and allowing us to enter into the presence of God.
Incense is used at various points during the Mass to symbolise sanctification and purification. At the beginning of Mass, the altar and sanctuary area are incensed while Psalm 50, the "Miserere", is chanted, invoking the mercy of God. During the liturgy, the gifts, the altar, the celebrant, and the assembly are censed. The host and chalice are censed as they are shown to the assembly. At the preparation, the altar is censed again. During the Sanctus and Benedictus, the thurifer stands before the altar, facing it, swinging the thurible from side to side. Then, during the Eucharistic prayer, the thurifer kneels before the altar, facing it. The priest may also incense the Crucifix and the Paschal Candle.
In addition to its use during the Mass, incense is also used in other Catholic ceremonies and rites. For example, during funeral Masses, the priest may incense the coffin as a sign of honour to the body of the deceased and as a symbol of the faithful's prayers for the deceased rising to God. Incense is also used at the celebration of the Eucharist, solemn celebrations of the Divine Office, Solemn Vespers, Solemn Evensong, benediction, and the consecration of a church or altar.
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Incense is used during processions, at the beginning of Mass, and during the proclamation of the Gospel
Incense is used in Catholic Mass to purify objects and to symbolise the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. The smoke from the incense, together with the prayers of the people, is offered up to God. The use of incense in Christian worship is inspired by passages in the Bible, such as the Book of Revelation, which describes heavenly worship:
> "Another angel came in holding a censer of gold. He took his place at the altar of incense and was given large amounts of incense to deposit on the altar of gold in front of the throne, together with the prayers of all God's holy ones."
The use of incense is optional for most Masses and is usually reserved for solemn celebrations and special occasions. For example, incense may be used during the entrance procession, at the offertory to incense the offerings, altar, priest and people, and at the elevation of the Sacred Host and chalice of Precious Blood after the consecration. Incense is also used at 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.
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Incense is used at the offertory to purify offerings, the altar, priest and people
Incense is used at the offertory to purify offerings, the altar, priest, and people. This practice is steeped in history and holds symbolic value.
The use of incense in religious rites dates back to ancient times, with the Assyrians, Babylonians, and Egyptians burning incense to keep demons away. The practice was also prevalent in Jewish Temple rituals, and it is believed that Christians adapted its usage for their own rituals.
In the context of Mass, the General Instruction of the Roman Missal outlines the use of incense during various parts of the liturgy. Incense may be used during the entrance procession, at the beginning of Mass to incense the altar, during the procession and proclamation of the Gospel, and at the offertory.
At the offertory, the priest uses incense to purify the offerings, altar, priest, and people. This act symbolizes purification and sanctification. The smoke from the burning incense represents the prayers of the faithful rising to Heaven, as mentioned in Psalm 141: "Let my prayer come like incense before you; the lifting up of my hands, like the evening sacrifice."
The use of incense at the offertory adds a sense of solemnity and mystery to the Mass, creating a link between Heaven and Earth. The visual imagery of the smoke and the fragrance of the incense serve as reminders of the transcendence of the Mass, allowing those present to enter into the presence of God.
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Incense is used at the elevation of the Sacred Host and chalice of Precious Blood
Incense is used at the elevation of the Sacred Host and the chalice of Precious Blood after the consecration. This is done to give a sense of special reverence for the Eucharist and to signify the importance of the Eucharist to our prayer life. The smoke from the incense also symbolises the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven.
The use of incense during Mass is steeped in history and tradition, with the practice being mentioned in the liturgies of Saints James and Mark, which date back to the 5th century. The 7th-century Ordo Romanus VIII of Saint Amand also mentions the use of incense during the procession of a bishop to the altar on Good Friday.
Incense is also used during the entrance procession, at the beginning of Mass to incense the altar, and at the procession and proclamation of the Gospel. It is used to bless and purify the offerings, the altar, the priest, and the people.
The specific type of incense used may vary, with frankincense being the most prevalent ingredient in Roman Catholic incense. However, other ingredients may be added to enhance the aroma, and in some cases, myrrh is used as the main or sole ingredient.
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Incense is used during funeral Masses to purify the coffin and as a sign of honour to the deceased
Incense is used during funeral Masses as a way of connecting with ancient traditions and honouring the deceased, a practice that has been carried out for centuries. The burning of incense during funeral Masses is a sign of reverence and honour for the deceased. The smoke from the incense purifies the coffin and symbolises the prayers of the faithful rising to God.
The use of incense during funeral Masses can be traced back to early Christian rituals, where Christians adapted the use of incense from Jewish Temple rituals. In the fifth century, the liturgies of Saints James and Mark mentioned the use of incense. A Roman Ritual of the seventh century also marked its usage in the procession of a Bishop to the altar and on Good Friday.
Incense is also used during funeral Masses to create an ambiance of heaven, as described in the Book of Revelation:
> "Another angel came in holding a censer of gold. He took his place at the altar of incense and was given large amounts of incense to deposit on the altar of gold in front of the throne, together with the prayers of all God's holy ones."
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. Incense is also used to purify the objects enveloped in its smoke, such as the coffin, and to symbolise the purification and cleansing of the soul of the deceased.
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Frequently asked questions
Incense is used during mass at the Vatican on solemn occasions, such as during the most solemn days of the year, or when a bishop or cardinal visits.
Incense is burned and the smoke is used to purify objects and people. The smoke from burning incense is also thought to symbolise the prayers of the faithful rising up to Heaven.
The most prevalent ingredient in the incense used in Roman Catholic incense is frankincense. However, the primary ingredient can vary from parish to parish. Other common ingredients include myrrh, benzoin, styrax, copal and other aromatics.
The use of incense in Christianity is inspired by passages in the Bible. Incense has been used 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.
