Seamus Hammond
The use of incense during Catholic Mass is a long-standing tradition in the Roman Catholic Church, as well as the Eastern Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican Churches. The earliest known use of incense in the Bible was over a thousand years before Jesus, when God appeared to Moses on Mount Sinai in a cloud of smoke (Exodus 24). Incense is used during Mass to symbolise the sanctification and purification of the congregation, as well as to symbolise the prayers of the faithful drifting up to heaven. Incense is also used to bless and pray for the purification of the bread and wine offered during Mass.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Purification and sanctification |
| Visual imagery | Transcendence of the Mass |
| Connection | Heaven and earth |
| Symbolism | Prayers of the faithful drifting up to heaven |
| Scripture mentions | Exodus 24, Isaiah 6:4, Psalms 97:2, Acts 1:9, Matthew 3, Malachi 1:11, Exodus 30:7-8 |
| Mass usage | Entrance procession, beginning of Mass, proclamation of the Gospel, offertory, elevation of the Sacred Host and chalice of Precious Blood, funeral Masses |
| Incense ingredients | Frankincense, myrrh, benzoin, styrax, opoponax, essential oils |
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What You'll Learn
- Incense is used to symbolise the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven
- Incense is used to create the ambiance of heaven on earth
- Incense is used to purify and sanctify the priest and congregation
- Incense is used to bless and pray for the purification of the bread and wine
- Incense is used to honour the body of the deceased during funeral masses
Incense is used to symbolise the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven
The use of incense during Catholic Mass is a long-standing tradition, with roots in the Old and New Testaments. The act of burning incense is mentioned in the Bible over a thousand years before Jesus, in the Book of Exodus, where God appears to Moses on Mount Sinai in a cloud of smoke.
Incense is used during Mass to symbolise the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. The smoke of the incense represents the prayers of the faithful drifting up to heaven, as described 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 adds a sense of solemnity and mystery to the Mass, creating an ambiance reminiscent of heaven.
The visual and sensory experience of incense enhances the prayer experience for Catholics, who believe that prayer is action. The act of burning incense connects the faithful to God's altar in heaven and allows them to engage all their senses in prayer. Incense is also used to bless and pray for the purification of the bread and wine, as well as the spiritual gifts offered during the Offertory.
In addition to its symbolic value, the use of incense serves a practical purpose during Mass. The sweet-smelling smoke can help to create a pleasant aroma, especially during funeral Masses, where it is used to honour the deceased and symbolise the faithful's prayers for their soul.
The use of incense during Catholic Mass varies depending on the region and type of church. However, it is commonly used during significant liturgical events, such as the exposition and benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, Holy Thursday, the Easter Vigil, Advent, and Lenten Vespers.
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Incense is used to create the ambiance of heaven on earth
The use of incense during Catholic Mass is a long-standing tradition with roots in the Old and New Testaments. Incense is believed to symbolise the prayers of the faithful rising up to heaven, creating a heavenly ambiance on earth.
The visual and sensory experience of incense enhances the solemnity and mystery of the Mass, reminding us of the transcendence of the Mass and allowing us to enter into the presence of God. The smoke and aroma evoke a sense of awe and respect for the divine, veiling our vision and engaging our senses in the act of worship.
In the Book of Revelation, an angel is described as holding a censer of gold, depositing large amounts of incense on the altar of gold before God's throne, along with the prayers of the holy ones. This imagery reinforces the connection between incense and heavenly worship, further emphasised by references to God dwelling in the clouds of heaven in the Psalms and the prophet Isaiah's vision of a smoke-filled heavenly realm.
The use of incense during Mass also has practical purposes, such as blessing and purifying the offerings, the priest, and the congregation. It serves as a sign of devotion and reverence, honouring the Holy Gospel and acknowledging the presence of Christ in His proclaimed word. Additionally, during funeral Masses, the incensing of the coffin symbolises honour for the deceased and the faithful's prayers rising to God.
The specific type of incense used may vary depending on the region and church. However, most Catholic churches use a blend of frankincense (gum olibanum), myrrh, benzoin, and other aromatic ingredients, creating a unique and sacred atmosphere during the Mass.
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Incense is used to purify and sanctify the priest and congregation
Incense has been used in religious rituals for thousands of years, with the first recorded use by the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilisation in 3600 BC. The practice was also used by the ancient Egyptians and the Chinese, and it has been employed in Christian worship since antiquity.
The use of incense in the Catholic Church is inspired by passages in the Bible, and its purpose is to symbolise prayer and worship. Incense is burned to venerate, bless, and sanctify, and its smoke conveys a sense of mystery and awe. It is a reminder of the sweet-smelling presence of the Lord, and its use adds a feeling of solemnity to the Mass.
The visual imagery of the smoke and the smell reinforce the transcendence of the Mass, linking Heaven and Earth, and allowing the congregation to enter into the presence of God. The smoke symbolises the burning zeal of faith that should consume all Christians, while the fragrance symbolises Christian virtue. Incense may also be viewed in the context of a "burnt offering" given to God.
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Incense is used to bless and pray for the purification of the bread and wine
The use of incense in Catholic Mass has a long history, dating back to ancient Jewish and Christian rituals. In the Mass, incense serves a symbolic and practical purpose, adding solemnity and mystery to the ceremony.
One of the key purposes of incense is to symbolise purification and sanctification. During the offertory, or the preparation of the gifts, incense is used to bless and pray for the purification of the bread and wine. This act is not only a blessing but also a prayer for the spiritual gifts placed on the altar by the congregation. The smoke rising from the incense represents the prayers of the faithful drifting up to heaven, as described 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 during the offertory is also a way to anoint and bless the priest and the congregation, preparing them for the gifts they will offer to God. The incense used during this part of the Mass is often pure myrrh, which holds significant meaning as the same type of incense carried by the women who went to anoint Jesus' body. By using myrrh, the congregation symbolically becomes a purified offering to God, presenting themselves as a sacrifice through His Son, Jesus Christ.
In addition to its symbolic value, the fragrance of incense creates an ambiance that evokes a sense of heaven. This is supported by biblical references, such as the Book of Revelation, which describes heavenly worship with angels holding censers of incense, filling the air with its fragrance. This connection between incense and heaven reinforces the belief that Mass is a representation of heaven on earth, bringing the two realms closer together.
The use of incense in Catholic Mass has evolved over time, with early mentions of its use found in the liturgies of Saints James and Mark, originating in the fifth century. By the 11th and 12th centuries, incense was incorporated into the offertory and introit, respectively. Today, incense continues to play a significant role in Catholic Mass, adding a sensory dimension to the prayers and blessings offered during the ceremony.
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Incense is used to honour the body of the deceased during funeral masses
Incense is used in Catholic funeral masses to honour the body of the deceased. During the final commendation, the priest may incense the coffin as a sign of respect for the body, which became the temple of the Holy Spirit at the deceased person's baptism. The use of incense during funeral masses also symbolises the faithful's prayers for the deceased rising to God.
The use of incense in Catholic masses has biblical origins. In Exodus 24, God descended upon Mount Sinai in a cloud of smoke, and Moses was called up into the cloud to meet him. In Exodus 30, God instructs Moses to build an altar of incense. The prophet Isaiah also describes a vision of God in which the surroundings are "filled with smoke" (Isa. 6:4).
Incense is also mentioned in the New Testament Book of Revelation, which describes heavenly worship with "golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints" (Rev. 5:8). This imagery of incense as a symbol of prayer is further reinforced in Psalm 141, where the psalmist prays, "Let my prayer come like incense before you; the lifting up of my hands, like the evening sacrifice" (Psalm 141).
In addition to its symbolic value, the use of incense in Catholic masses, including funeral masses, adds a sense of solemnity and mystery. The visual imagery of the smoke and the aroma create an ambiance that reminds participants of heaven, linking heaven and earth, and allowing them to enter into the presence of God.
The specific blend of incense used in Catholic churches usually includes frankincense (gum olibanum) with myrrh, benzoin, and other aromatic ingredients, such as styrax and opoponax, as well as essential oils.
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Frequently asked questions
The purpose of using incense during Catholic Mass is to symbolise the sanctification and purification of the priest and the congregation. The smoke from the incense symbolises the prayers of the faithful rising up to heaven. Incense is also used to create a sense of solemnity and mystery, reminding us of the transcendence of the Mass, linking heaven and earth.
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 after the consecration. Incense may also be used to incense the Crucifix and the Paschal Candle.
The type of incense used during Catholic Mass can vary depending on the region and church. However, it is typically made from a blend of resins and gums, including frankincense (gum olibanum), myrrh, benzoin, styrax, and opoponax, as well as essential oils.
