Anisha Riggs
Incense has been used in religious rituals for thousands of years, dating back to the Indus Valley Civilisation in 3600 BC and ancient Egypt in 2400 BC. In the context of Mass, the use of incense holds a symbolic meaning and is believed to create a solemn atmosphere. The smoke from burning incense is interpreted by the Western Catholic and Eastern Christian churches as a symbol of prayer rising to heaven. Incense is also used to purify and sanctify, connecting people to God's altar in heaven and allowing them to engage their senses in prayer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| History | 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. |
| Religious use | Incense is used in Christianity, Buddhism, Shinto, and Taoism. |
| Christianity | The use of incense in Christianity is inspired by passages in the Bible. Incense is 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. |
| Symbolism | The smoke of burning incense is interpreted by both the Western Catholic and Eastern Christian churches as a symbol of the prayer of the faithful rising to heaven. |
| Purification | Incense is used as a means of purification and sanctification. |
| Use during Mass | 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. |
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What You'll Learn
Incense is used to symbolise the act of purification and sanctification
The use of incense during Mass is rooted in the traditions of Judaism during the time of the Second Jewish Temple. Incense is used to symbolise the act of purification and sanctification. The smoke from the incense is interpreted by the Western Catholic and Eastern Christian churches as a symbol of prayer 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 hands, as the evening sacrifice".
The use of incense in Christianity is inspired by passages in the Bible, and its use in prayer and worship carries a Christian symbolism. Incense is employed in worship by Christians since antiquity, and its use has increased in the East and West. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God's people, rises before God. The incense connects us to God's altar in heaven and allows us to utilise all our senses in our prayer. The visual imagery of the smoke and the smell remind us of the transcendence of the Mass, which links heaven and earth, and allows us to enter into the presence of God.
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. The priest may also incense the crucifix and the Paschal candle. During funeral Masses, the priest incenses the coffin as a sign of honour to the deceased and as a symbol of the faithful's prayers for the departed rising to God.
The use of incense adds a sense of solemnity and mystery to the Mass. The sweet fragrance of incense in procession symbolises the fragrance of Christ Himself.
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It connects the worship on earth with the worship of heaven
The use of incense during Catholic Mass is rooted in the traditions of Judaism and paganism. The smoke from burning incense is seen as a symbol of prayer rising up to heaven. This symbolism is mentioned in Psalm 141 (140), verse 2: "Let my prayer be directed as incense in thy sight: the lifting up of my hands, as the evening sacrifice". The use of incense thus creates a connection between the worship on earth and the worship of heaven.
Incense is also used to purify and sanctify. In the Eastern Rites, at the beginning of Mass, the altar and sanctuary area are incensed while Psalm 50, the "Miserere", is chanted to invoke the mercy of God. The incense creates 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".
During funeral Masses, the priest incenses the coffin as a sign of honour to the deceased and as a symbol of the faithful's prayers for the deceased rising to God. The usage of incense adds a sense of solemnity and mystery to the Mass, reminding us of the transcendence of the Mass and allowing us to enter into the presence of God.
The sweet fragrance of incense in procession is also said to symbolize the fragrance of Christ Himself. The use of incense during Mass is thus a powerful way to connect the worship on earth with the worship of heaven, utilizing all of our senses in prayer and creating a sacred atmosphere.
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It is used during the entrance procession
The use of incense during the entrance procession at Mass is steeped in tradition and symbolism. Firstly, it is important to note that the use of incense in Christian rituals is inspired by biblical passages and has been a part of Christian worship since antiquity, particularly in the Roman Catholic Church. The practice itself is rooted in earlier traditions of Judaism during the time of the Second Jewish Temple.
During the entrance procession, the priest may swing the incense towards the bread and wine offered for the Eucharist, the crucifix, the icons, the clergy, the congregation, and the Paschal candle. This act of incensing is done to purify and sanctify these objects and people, marking them as sacred. The smoke rising from the incense is interpreted as a symbol of the prayers of the faithful rising up to heaven, as described in Psalm 141 (140), verse 2: "Let my prayer be directed as incense in thy sight: the lifting up of my hands, as an evening sacrifice."
The use of incense during the entrance procession also adds a sense of solemnity and mystery to the Mass. The visual imagery of the smoke and the fragrance of the incense create an ambiance that reminds the congregation of the transcendence of the Mass, linking heaven and earth. This sensory experience helps the congregation to engage their sense of smell, allowing them to enter more deeply into prayer and connect with the worship of heaven.
The entrance procession with incense also symbolizes the fragrance of Christ Himself, as mentioned by Saint Paul in 2 Corinthians 2:14-15: "Thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads in every place the fragrance that comes from knowing him." Thus, the use of incense during the entrance procession at Mass holds significant religious and symbolic value, enhancing the worship experience and connecting the earthly ceremony with the heavenly realm.
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Incense is used to bless and honour the Holy Gospel
Incense has been used in religious rituals for thousands of years, with the first recorded use dating back to 3600 BC in the Indus Valley Civilisation. The practice later spread to ancient China, Egypt, and other parts of Asia, where it played a significant role in Buddhist, Shinto, and Taoist ceremonies. The use of incense in Christianity, particularly in the Catholic Church, is inspired by biblical passages and carries symbolic meaning.
During Mass, incense is used to bless and honour the Holy Gospel, which contains the sacred words of God. The act of incensing the Gospel book is a sign of devotion and reverence for the words of God, which Catholics believe are imminently present through the proclamation of the Holy Gospel. The rising smoke that surrounds the holy book symbolises the prayers of the faithful drifting up to heaven, connecting the worship on earth with the worship of heaven.
The use of incense during the Mass adds a sense of solemnity and mystery, enhancing the atmosphere of the gathering. It engages the sense of smell, helping worshippers to enter more deeply into prayer and connect with God. The sweet fragrance of the incense is also symbolic of the presence of Christ, as Saint Paul writes, "for we are the aroma of Christ to God" (2 Cor. 2:14-15).
The practice of incensing is not limited to the Gospel book but is also used to honour and purify other sacred objects and individuals. For example, during funeral Masses, the priest may incense the coffin as a sign of honour to the deceased and as a symbol of the faithful's prayers for their soul. Additionally, the priest may incense the Crucifix and the Paschal Candle, and other sacred icons.
While the use of incense is optional for most Masses, it holds symbolic value and plays an essential role in Catholic worship. The visual and sensory aspects of incense use create a multi-sensory worship experience, engaging both the body and the soul in the liturgical rites.
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It is used to incense the crucifix and the Paschal candle
The use of incense during Mass is rooted in the traditions of Judaism during the time of the Second Jewish Temple. Incense is often used as part of a purification ritual, with the smoke of burning incense interpreted as a symbol of prayer rising to heaven.
During Mass, the priest may incense the crucifix and the Paschal candle. The Paschal candle is a large candle used in liturgies in Western Christianity, including the Roman Catholic Church, Lutheran Churches, the Anglican Communion, and the Methodist Churches, among others. A new Paschal candle is blessed and lit every year at Easter. It is used throughout the Eastertide and then throughout the year on occasions such as baptisms, funerals, and some other special occasions. The candle is raised three times during the procession, accompanied by the chant "The light of Christ", to which the assembly responds, "Thanks be to God".
The grains of incense embedded in the Paschal candle recall the aromatic spices used to prepare Christ's body for the tomb. During the Easter Vigil, a fire is lit and blessed, and the minister cuts a cross in the wax with a stylus, tracing the symbols on the Paschal candle. The minister then inserts five grains of incense, reminiscent of the nails used to fasten Christ to the cross, onto the five points of the cross. The Paschal candle is the first candle to be lit with a flame from this sacred fire, representing the light of Christ coming into the world.
The incense used during Mass adds a sense of solemnity and mystery to the ritual. 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 the presence of God.
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Frequently asked questions
The use of incense during Mass is rooted in the traditions of Judaism and paganism. The smoke from burning incense is interpreted by the Western Catholic and Eastern Christian churches as a symbol of the faithful's prayers rising to heaven.
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 use incense.
Incense 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 to incense the offerings, altar, priest and people, and at the elevation of the Sacred Host and chalice of Precious Blood after the consecration.
The priest may also incense the Crucifix and the Paschal Candle. During funeral Masses, the priest incenses the coffin as a sign of honour to the deceased and as a symbol of the faithful's prayers for the deceased rising to God.
Incense usually comes in the form of pebbly grains or powder and is blessed with a prayer before being spooned onto the coals.
