Seamus Hammond
Burning incense has been a part of religious worship for thousands of years, with the practice predating Christianity and Catholicism. In the Catholic Church, incense is burned during Mass and other liturgical services to symbolise sanctification and purification. The smoke from the incense is believed to symbolise the prayers of the faithful drifting up to heaven, connecting the worship on earth with the worship of heaven. The burning of incense is also seen as a prayer in itself, with the sweet scent creating an atmosphere of solemnity, beauty, and sacredness.
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What You'll Learn
Incense is a symbol of prayer
Incense is a powerful symbol of prayer in the Catholic Church. Its use in religious worship predates Christianity by thousands of years, with the first recorded use in Egypt around 2400 BC. The practice was also present in ancient China, Buddhism, Shinto, and Taoist ceremonies, as well as in Hinduism.
In the Catholic faith, incense is used during Mass and other liturgical services to symbolize sanctification and purification. The smoke of the incense represents the prayers of the faithful rising to God in heaven. This is illustrated in Psalm 141, "Let my prayer come like incense before you; the lifting up of my hands, like the evening sacrifice." The Book of Revelation also describes heavenly worship, where angels offer incense at an altar of gold before God's throne, along with the prayers of all God's holy ones.
The act of burning incense is a prayer in itself, engaging the senses and creating an ambiance of solemnity, beauty, and tranquility that enhances the worship experience. It connects the worship on earth with the worship of heaven, uniting the congregation with angels and saints. Incense is also used to bless and purify objects, such as the bread and wine during the offertory, as well as statues and images.
The use of incense in the Catholic Church has evolved over time, adapting to local customs and the availability of ingredients. However, its symbolic meaning remains integral to the faith, representing devotion, spirituality, and the power of prayer.
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Incense is used to sanctify and purify
Incense is used in the Catholic Church to sanctify and purify. The smoke of incense is symbolic of sanctification and purification. It is a sign of devotion to the holy words of and about God, which have been preserved for over 2000 years. The burning of incense is a prayer in itself; a prayer in action. The smoke of incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, rises to God. Incense is burned atop new altars as they are undergoing the process of consecration before their first use. The altar represents Christ and his five wounds indicated by the five crosses on the altar top. Incensing the altar also reconnects the church to the original dedication of the angels and saints in heaven.
The use of incense in religious worship predates Christianity by thousands of years. 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. Hindus have also used incense in worship from ancient times. In the Old Testament, God instructed Moses to build an altar of incense to stand beside the altar of sacrifice. The Book of Exodus recounts the instructions to build an altar of incense: "You shall make an altar to burn incense upon; of acacia wood shall you make it... And Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it; every morning when he dresses the lamps he shall burn it, and when Aaron sets up the lamps in the evening, he shall burn it, a perpetual incense before the Lord throughout your generations." (Exodus 30:1-10).
The use of incense in the ancient world was common, especially in religious rites where it was used to keep demons away. The New Testament also records the use of incense. Frankincense was one of the precious gifts brought by the Three Kings to the Baby Jesus. In his apocalyptic visions of heaven, St. John the Apostle recorded that he saw incense being used at God’s heavenly throne.
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Incense is burned during the consecration of new altars
Incense has been used in religious ceremonies since ancient times, with the first recorded use in Egypt around 2400 B.C. It has been an integral part of many religious celebrations, including those of ancient Chinese, Buddhist, Shinto, Taoist, and Hindu traditions. The burning of incense is a prayer in itself, symbolizing sanctification, purification, and the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven.
In the Catholic Church, incense is burned during the consecration of new altars, which represents Christ and his five wounds. The Book of Exodus in the Old Testament recounts God's instructions to Moses to build an altar of incense to stand beside the altar of sacrifice. Similarly, the consecration of a new altar in the Catholic Church involves the use of incense as a final step. During this ceremony, the bishop covers the altar with sacred chrism oil and places five braziers on the five wounds (crosses) on the altar top. He then pours a large amount of incense into the braziers, symbolizing the use of incense in the Book of Revelation.
The smoke of the incense, along with the prayers of the faithful, rises to God, creating an ambiance of heaven. This practice is a visual and sensory experience that connects the earthly worship with the worship of heaven, uniting the congregation with the angels and saints. The use of incense during the consecration of new altars in the Catholic Church is thus a symbolic and meaningful tradition that enhances the solemnity and beauty of the ceremony.
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Incense is used to bless and pray for purification
Incense is used in the Catholic Church to symbolise prayer and as a means of sanctifying and purifying. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, rises up to God.
The use of incense in Catholic worship is steeped in centuries-old traditions, telling a tale of devotion and spirituality. The practice of using incense in Christian worship was abandoned to avoid confusion among the faithful and to present a clear witness. Incense offerings were associated with paganism and, therefore, abandoned by Christians. However, its use made a comeback in the fifth century once Christianity was firmly established.
The burning of incense is a prayer in itself; a prayer in action. The smoke of incense is symbolic of sanctification and purification. It also symbolises the prayers of the faithful drifting up to heaven. Incense connects us to God’s altar in heaven and allows us to utilise all of our senses in our prayers. Incense is burned atop new altars as they are undergoing the process of consecration prior to their first use.
During the offertory (the preparation of the gifts) incense is used to bless and to pray for the purification of the bread and wine as well as the spiritual gifts the people have mentally placed on the altar. Incense is also used to bless statues and images.
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Incense is used during funeral masses
The use of incense in Catholic funeral masses can be traced back to the Old Testament, where God commanded Moses to build an altar of incense for worship in the Tabernacle. The Book of Exodus (30:1-10) describes God's instructions to Moses: "You shall make an altar to burn incense upon; of acacia wood shall you make it...And Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it; every morning when he dresses the lamps he shall burn it, and when Aaron sets up the lamps in the evening, he shall burn it, a perpetual incense before the Lord throughout your generations."
The burning of incense during funeral masses is also connected to the Book of Revelation, where St. John the Apostle describes his apocalyptic visions of heaven. He writes about the twenty-four elders falling before the Lamb, each holding a harp and golden bowls filled with incense, which represent the prayers of the saints. This imagery reinforces the belief that the smoke of incense carries the prayers of the faithful up to God, creating a link between heaven and earth.
The use of incense in Catholic worship made a comeback in the fifth century, and its connection to the Book of Revelation became more apparent. The sweet fragrance and visual appeal of the smoke enhance the solemnity and beauty of the funeral mass, making it a powerful liturgical gift.
While the use of incense is optional for most masses, its inclusion in funeral services adds a sense of solemnity and mystery. The visual imagery of the smoke and the fragrance create a multi-sensory experience, allowing those present to connect with the worship of heaven and feel the presence of God more intensely.
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Frequently asked questions
The burning of incense is a prayer in itself. It is a symbol of sanctification and purification. The smoke of the incense symbolises the prayers of the faithful drifting up to heaven. Incense is also used to purify altars and other liturgical vessels.
Two types of incense stand out in the Catholic Church: frankincense and myrrh. Frankincense has a sweet, citrusy, and slightly piney aroma. Myrrh has a rich, smoky, and slightly bitter scent.
The use of incense in religious worship predates Christianity by thousands of years. The first recorded use of incense for worship is from Egypt around 2400 BC. The use of incense in the Catholic Church was influenced by the Jewish temple worship, which continued well after the establishment of Christianity.
Incense is burned during Mass and other liturgical services. It may be used during the entrance procession, at the beginning of Mass to incense the altar, at 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 is also burned atop new altars as they are undergoing the process of consecration prior to their first use.
