Seamus Hammond
Incense is used in many religious ceremonies, including Catholic mass. The sweet fragrance of frankincense and myrrh is said to symbolise the holiness of God, the sweetness of God, the presence of God. The use of incense is also mentioned in the Bible, where the Magi offer frankincense with gold and myrrh to baby Jesus. In this article, we will explore the significance of incense in Catholic worship and how it has inspired fragrances outside of the church.
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What You'll Learn
Frankincense and myrrh
Frankincense is harvested from the Boswellia tree, which is native to the Arabian Peninsula, East Africa, and India. The sap is collected by making long incisions down the trunk of the tree, from which the milky-white resin then oozes out and hardens into tear-shaped droplets with a translucent golden hue. The Boswellia tree has papery bark, sparse bunches of paired leaves, and small yellowish-white flowers with red or yellow centres.
Myrrh is collected from the Commiphora tree, a small, spiny tree found in Ethiopia, Oman, Kenya, Somalia, and Saudi Arabia. The tree is repeatedly wounded so that the reddish-orange resin seeps through the bark and into the sapwood, where it hardens and is ready to be collected. The Commiphora tree has a whitish-green flower and sparse leaves that grow in groups of three. True myrrh is crumbly and dark red inside, with a white and powdery exterior.
Frankincense has a sweet, warm, and woodsy fragrance, while myrrh is more earthy with slight licorice notes. In the Bible, frankincense and myrrh were two of the three gifts, along with gold, that the Magi brought to the infant Jesus of Nazareth in Bethlehem. This is indicative of the traditional belief in the healing and disinfectant powers of these fragrances.
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Incense used in Catholic worship
Incense is used in Catholic worship to elevate the minds and hearts of the faithful to God. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) states that incensation is an expression of reverence and prayer. The sweet fragrance of the incense, usually frankincense and myrrh, is meant to symbolise the holiness, sweetness, and presence of God.
The use of incense in Catholic worship is not just limited to its pleasant fragrance. Incense is also used during Eastertide, where the priest places five grains of incense into the Paschal Candle to symbolise the five wounds of the Risen Saviour. Similarly, during a funeral mass, the priest will incense the casket to honour the body of the deceased, who, through baptism, became a temple of the Holy Spirit.
The smell of Catholic incense is often described as divine and reminiscent of the aroma of entering a church. Some incense blends used in Catholic churches have additional notes of herbs, florals, orientals, spices, and woods.
While the smell of Catholic incense is generally well-received, some may find it overwhelming at first due to its pungency. However, once settled, the scent is described as comforting and calming, perfect for setting a peaceful atmosphere.
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Incense used in Catholic funerals
Incense has been used in religious rites since ancient times, with the practice being mentioned in the Old Testament and the New Testament. In the Catholic Church, incense is used during Mass to symbolise the connection between worship on earth and the worship of heaven.
Incense is also used during Catholic funeral Masses, where the priest incenses the coffin as a sign of honour to the deceased, whose body became the temple of the Holy Spirit at Baptism. The incense also symbolises the faithful's prayers for the deceased rising to God. The visual imagery and smell of the incense remind us of the transcendence of the Mass, linking heaven and earth, and allowing us to enter into the presence of God.
The use of incense during Catholic funeral Masses adds a sense of solemnity and mystery to the ceremony. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the faithful, rises up to God, creating the ambiance of heaven as described in the Book of Revelation. The apostle John writes, "the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each of the elders held a harp and gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the holy ones" (Revelation 5:8).
The type of incense used in Catholic funerals is typically frankincense, which is mentioned in the Bible as one of the gifts offered to baby Jesus by the Magi (Matthew 2:11). Frankincense has a pleasing smell and is also known for its antibacterial and antifungal properties. While the scent of frankincense is not described in detail, it is often characterised as sweet and aromatic, with hints of spice.
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Incense in the Bible
The use of incense in the Bible is often associated with prayer and worship. In the Book of Exodus, God commands Moses and Aaron to burn incense perpetually before him as a holy act of worship. The Bible also mentions severe consequences for the misuse of incense, as in the case of Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu, who died for improper worship involving incense (Leviticus 10:1-2).
Incense is mentioned in the Old Testament, where the high priest was originally required to offer sacred incense. However, the Gospel of Luke reveals a shift in this tradition, indicating that ordinary priests were also permitted to offer incense. For example, Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, was chosen by lot to place incense on the altar in the temple while the people prayed outside (Luke 1:9-16). As the incense smoke rose, an angel announced that Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth, would have a son, John the Baptist (Luke 1:11-16).
Incense is also mentioned in the New Testament, where the Magi offered frankincense, along with gold and myrrh, to the newborn Jesus, symbolizing his divinity. In the Book of Revelation, incense is described as being used in heavenly worship, representing the prayers of the saints rising up to God. The sweet fragrance of incense is believed to be pleasing to God and helps lift up our prayers and sacrifices to him.
The burning of incense in Catholic churches continues to be a tradition, with some incense sticks marketed as having a “church incense smell." However, opinions vary, with some people finding the scent divine, while others feel it doesn't smell like traditional incense.
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Incense-like fragrances
Incense fragrances tend to have an oriental vibe. They are often described as earthy, spicy, woody, resinous, and balsamic, with hints of myrrh, conifers, and pepper. The smell of incense is also said to be reminiscent of the aroma of entering a church.
Frankincense, a key ingredient in natural incense fragrances, has a fresh and sweet earthy piney smell. It contains α-Pinene, which is found in citruses and oils of coniferous plants, as well as many other natural oils. Frankincense also contains Camphene, Sabinene, p-Cymene, Thujene, Limonene, and other terpenes that form a specific turpentine-like odor. Octanol and Octyl scetate give frankincense an aldehydic waxy nuance, reminiscent of orange peel with fruity and floral hints of coconut and rose, and a slight mushroomy undertone.
There are many incense fragrances on the market, from those where incense is the dominant note to those with just a hint of it. Some well-known modern classics in the genre include Comme des Garcons Series 3 Incense (Kyoto, Avignon, Jaisalmer, Ouarzazate) and Heeley Cardinal. Other popular incense fragrances include Orto Parisi Terroni, which features stand-out notes of dark cocoa, berries, vetiver, and patchouli, and is inspired by the volcanic land surrounding Mount Vesuvius; and Memo Tiger's Nest, a heavier take on incense from the Paris-based niche fragrance house Memo.
For a more affordable option, the HEM Catholic Church Masala Incense Sticks have received mixed reviews, with some customers finding them divine, while others say they don't smell like traditional incense. However, many customers appreciate the calming effect of these incense sticks, describing them as perfect for setting a peaceful atmosphere.
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Frequently asked questions
Catholic incense is often made from frankincense and myrrh, which gives it a sweet fragrance. Some people find the scent comforting and reminiscent of the holiness of God.
The use of incense in Catholic churches is said to be a practice instituted by God himself. Incense is used to elevate the minds and hearts of the faithful to the transcendent and to God. The sweet-smelling perfume and high-ascending smoke of incense are typical of a good Christian's prayer.
The Bible mentions the smell of frankincense and myrrh in Matthew 2:11, where the Magi offer these spices to baby Jesus, and in the last book of the Bible, Revelation 18:13.
