Katrina Rosales
Incense has been used in religious ceremonies for millennia, with the first recorded use dating back to Egypt around 2400 B.C. The Catholic Church uses incense in the Latin and Eastern Rites, and it is also used by Orthodox churches. Incense is burned to accompany and symbolize prayer, and it is believed that the smoke rising towards heaven carries the prayers of the faithful up to God. While the use of incense in Catholic Mass is optional, it is often used to purify the coffin at funerals and bless statues and images. The custom of burning incense at home is also common for many Catholics, especially during special Feast Days or times of prayer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| History of incense in Catholicism | The first recorded use of incense for worship is from Egypt around 2400 B.C. Incense was also used in ancient China and plays a part in Buddhist, Shinto, and Taoist ceremonies. |
| Incense in the Bible | The Book of Exodus records that God commanded the use of incense in Divine worship, and the Jews understood it as a form of sacrifice and a symbol of unceasing prayer and worship. The Book of Revelation describes the heavenly worship, where an angel holds a censer of gold and deposits incense on the altar before God. |
| Symbolism | The smoke of the incense symbolizes the prayers of the faithful rising up to heaven, connecting the worship on earth with the worship of heaven. It also represents purification and sanctification, driving away demons and negative energies. |
| Use in Catholic Mass | Incense is used during the entrance procession, at the beginning of Mass to incense the altar, during the proclamation of the Gospel, at the offertory to incense the offerings, altar, priest, and people, and at the elevation of the Sacred Host and chalice of Precious Blood. |
| Use at Home | The use of incense at home is not essential but is permissible, especially on special Feast Days or during prayer. Historically, it may have been exceptional due to the expense involved. |
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What You'll Learn
Incense is used to symbolise prayer
Incense has been used in religious contexts for millennia, with the first recorded use dating back to 3600 BC in India. It has been used in Christian liturgy from its earliest days, continuing the Jewish tradition that came before it.
Incense is used in the Catholic Church to symbolise prayer. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, rises up to God. The wafting smoke and the lifting of one's hands in the traditional gesture of prayer provide a powerful symbol of pure and heartfelt prayer.
In the Old Testament, God commanded the use of incense in Divine worship, and the Jews understood it as a form of sacrifice or the irrevocable surrender to God of something precious and valuable. It was perpetually burnt before the altar, not only as a sacrifice but as a symbol of unceasing prayer and worship.
The use of incense in Catholic liturgy is said to symbolise the act of purification and sanctification. The smoke is seen as a sign of prayer rising up so that blessings can come down. The fragrant haze of the incense that drifts through the building is inhaled by the congregation, reminding them that God is present.
The use of incense at home is also customary for many Catholics, especially as a way to commemorate special Feast Days or mark times of prayer.
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It is also used to symbolise sacrifice
The use of incense in Catholic liturgies is symbolic and nothing is "just for show". Incense is used to symbolise sanctification and purification. It is also used to symbolise sacrifice, and the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven.
The use of incense in worship has its origins in antiquity. The burning of incense may be intended as a symbolic or sacrificial offering to various deities or spirits, or to serve as an aid in prayer. The first recorded use of incense was by the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilisation in 3600 BC. The Egyptians during the Fifth Dynasty, 2345-2494 BC, were the first in the non-Asian world to discover the use of incense.
The book of Exodus records that God commanded the use of incense in Divine worship, and the Jews understood it as a form of sacrifice, or the "irrevocable surrender to God of something precious and valuable". It was perpetually burnt before the altar, not only as a sacrifice, but as a symbol of unceasing prayer and worship. The New Covenant did not abandon the use of incense, and it is used in the liturgy of the Church at High and Solemn Masses, as well as for para-liturgical ceremonies such as Benediction and processions.
The use of incense is optional for most Masses. It is used to purify the coffin at funerals and to bless statues and images. However, many Catholic priests choose not to use incense at Mass, and the people of many parishes have forgotten the uses and meanings of incense in worship.
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Incense is used to bless statues and images
Incense is used in Catholic worship to symbolise prayer and as a form of sacrifice. The smoke from the incense is thought to symbolise the prayer of the faithful rising to heaven. The use of incense in Catholic worship is inspired by the Bible, where God commands Moses to make incense and use it in worship. The book of Exodus records that God commanded the use of incense in Divine worship, and the Jews understood it as a form of sacrifice—the irrevocable surrender to God of something precious and valuable.
The use of incense is optional for most Catholic Masses. However, it is used to bless statues and images, purify the coffin at funerals, and as part of the liturgy. The priest blesses the incense, then swings it before the Lamb of God is offered on the altar. The incense is swung towards what or who is being censed, including the bread and wine offered for the Eucharist, the clergy, the congregation, and the body of a deceased person during a funeral.
The use of incense in Christian worship is not unique to the Catholic Church. It is also used in the Orthodox Church, Lutheran churches, Old Catholic and Liberal Catholic Churches, and some Anglican Churches. Incense is also used in non-Christian religions such as Buddhism, Shinto, and Taoism.
Burning incense at home is a custom for many people, especially 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 rites for millennia, and its use is characteristic of all pre-Protestant churches. In Catholicism, incense is used during Mass to symbolise the act of purification and sanctification. It is also used to accompany and symbolise prayer, with the smoke of burning incense seen as an image of the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven.
Incense is used during funeral Masses to incense the coffin, symbolising honour to the body of the deceased and the faithful's prayers for the deceased rising to God. It is also used to bless statues and images. The use of incense at funerals is optional, and some priests choose not to use it.
Burning incense at home is a custom for many Catholics, especially to commemorate special Feast Days or mark times of prayer. However, it is important to be cautious of people who may be allergic to incense.
The use of incense in Catholic funeral traditions is a powerful symbol of purification and sanctification, connecting the worship of heaven and earth.
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Incense is not essential for use at home
Incense has been used in religious ceremonies for millennia, with the first recorded use of incense for worship dating back to Egypt around 2400 BC. It has been used in various religions, including ancient Chinese, Buddhist, Shinto, and Taoist ceremonies. In the Catholic Church, incense is used in the Latin and Eastern Rites, as well as in Orthodox churches.
While the use of incense is a long-standing tradition in Catholic Mass, it is not mandatory. The use of incense is optional for most Masses, and many Catholic priests choose not to use it. Incense is used to purify the coffin at funerals, bless statues and images, and as a symbol of reverence for the Eucharist. It is also believed to symbolize the act of purification and sanctification, connecting the worship on earth with the worship of heaven.
Historically, it has been uncommon for laypeople to use incense at home due to the expense involved. While some people may choose to use incense at home, especially during special Feast Days or times of prayer, it is not considered essential. The use of incense at home is a personal choice and is not required for Catholic worship.
The primary component of incense is a precious tree resin combined with other ingredients to produce a sweet, fragrant smoke when burned. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the incense is of high quality and non-toxic if one chooses to use it at home.
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Frequently asked questions
Historically, it has probably been uncommon for laypeople to use incense at home due to the expense. However, it is permissible and is used by many to commemorate special Feast Days or mark times of prayer.
A layman would only use a hand censer – not a swinging censer like the clergy typically use. When a person censes with a hand censer, the censer is held in the right hand, and the sign of the cross is made with the censer over whatever he is censing. Then the censer is placed in the left hand, and he makes the sign of the cross and bows.
Incense is used to symbolise prayer and create the ambiance of heaven. It is also used to purify and sanctify people and objects, connecting them to God's altar in heaven.
Incense is 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 to incense the offerings, altar, priest and people, and at the elevation of the Sacred Host and chalice of Precious Blood after the consecration.
