Anisha Riggs
Incense has been used in Christian liturgy since its earliest days, continuing the Jewish tradition that came before it. The use of incense in Catholic mass is steeped in symbolism and ritual. The smoke is believed to symbolise the sanctification and purification of the sacred space, connecting the worship on earth with the worship of heaven. The visual imagery and fragrance of incense are thought to transcend space and time, allowing worshippers to enter an eternal reality and connect with God.
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What You'll Learn
Incense is a spiritual offering
Incense is used in Catholic Mass to symbolise the sanctification and purification of the Mass. The smoke of the incense symbolises the prayers of the faithful drifting up to heaven. Incense is also used to create the 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.
The use of incense in Catholic Mass has its roots in the early Church, with the Jews using incense in their Temple rituals. The first recorded use of incense was by the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilisation in 3600 BC, and the Egyptians during the Fifth Dynasty, 2345-2494 BC. The use of incense in religious ritual was further developed in China, and eventually transmitted to Korea, Japan, Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines.
Incense is also seen as a spiritual offering, with the smoke acting as an intermediary substance between earth and air. The fragrant smoke was believed to drive away demons, while appeasing the gods, who would then grant protection and prosperity to the worshipper. This idea is also present in the New Age practice of 'smudging', which is said to connect people with the Native American tradition of using fragrant smoke to purify an area of negative energies.
In the Catholic 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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Incense symbolises sanctification and purification
Incense is used in Catholic Mass to symbolise sanctification and purification. The use of incense in Catholic liturgy is believed to have been adapted from Jewish Temple rituals. The first instance of incense appears over a thousand years before Jesus, in the major event on Mount Sinai in Exodus 24. God came down as a large cloud over the mountain, with fire, and Moses was called up into the cloud.
The smoke of incense is symbolic of sanctification and purification. It also symbolises the prayers of the faithful drifting up to heaven. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand. The servers at Catholic Mass kneel before the altar during the Sanctus, echoing the angels 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. The priest may also incense the Crucifix and the Paschal Candle. Incense is also used at funerals, where the priest incenses the coffin as a sign of honour to the body of the deceased and as a sign of the faithful’s prayers for the deceased rising to God.
The use of incense adds a sense of solemnity and mystery to the Mass. 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.
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Incense connects worship on earth with worship in heaven
The use of incense during Catholic mass is a powerful symbol of the connection between worship on earth and worship in heaven. The practice has its roots in antiquity, with the first recorded use of incense by the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilisation in 3600 BC. The Egyptians during the Fifth Dynasty (2345-2494 BC) also used incense, which was later adopted by the Hindus.
In Catholic liturgy, incense is used during the entrance procession, at the beginning of Mass to incense the altar, during 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 may incense the coffin as a sign of honour to the deceased and as a symbol of the faithful's prayers rising to God.
The smoke of the incense is believed to symbolise the sanctification and purification of the worshippers, connecting them to God's altar in heaven. It is also seen as a representation of the prayers of the faithful drifting up to heaven, creating an ambiance reminiscent of the heavenly worship described in the Book of Revelation. This connection between earth and heaven is further emphasised by the sensory experience of the visual imagery and fragrance of the incense, reminding worshippers of the transcendence of the Mass and allowing them to enter into the presence of God.
The use of incense during Catholic mass thus serves as a powerful reminder of the link between earthly and heavenly worship, providing a solemn and mystical atmosphere that enhances the liturgical experience.
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Incense is used at various points during Mass
The use of incense in Catholic Mass has its roots in antiquity, with the first recorded use of incense by the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilisation in 3600 BC. The practice was later adopted by the Egyptians during the Fifth Dynasty (2345-2494 BC) and by the Jews for their Temple rituals. Early Christians likely adapted the use of incense from these earlier traditions, as evidenced by its mention in the liturgies of Saints James and Mark, which originate in the fifth century.
The smoke of the incense is symbolic of sanctification and purification, representing the prayers of the faithful rising up to heaven. This idea is reflected in Psalm 141, which states, "Let my prayer come like incense before you; the lifting up of my hands, like the evening sacrifice." The use of incense thus adds a sense of solemnity and mystery to the Mass, helping worshippers to connect with the divine and enter into the presence of God.
In addition to its symbolic value, the practical purpose of incense in Catholic Mass is to create a sensory experience that enhances the worshipper's connection to the sacred. The visual imagery of the smoke and the fragrance of the incense engage the senses, making the Mass more compelling and memorable. This is particularly important in Catholic liturgy, where every element is meant to symbolize a theological truth.
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Incense is used in other religious contexts
In the Eastern Orthodox Church, Lutheran churches of Evangelical Catholic churchmanship, Anglican churches of Anglo-Catholic churchmanship, and Old Catholic/Liberal Catholic churches, incense is used at virtually every service. It is employed during the celebration of the Eucharist, solemn celebrations of the Divine Office, Solemn Vespers, Solemn Evensong, funerals, benediction and exposition of the Eucharist, the consecration of a church or altar, and other services. Grains of blessed incense are placed in the Paschal candle and were once placed in the sepulchre of consecrated altars.
The use of incense in Christian liturgy is inspired by passages in the Bible, particularly the Old Testament, where prayer is connected with purification, and incense is described as a "sweet aroma rising up to God." Incense is also mentioned in the Book of Revelation, where the apostle John describes the elders holding "gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the holy ones."
The use of incense in religious contexts extends beyond Christianity. Incense holds an invaluable role in East Asian Buddhist ceremonies and rites, as well as in Chinese Taoist and Japanese Shinto shrines for the deity Inari Okami, or the Seven Lucky Gods. In Chinese Taoist and Buddhist temples, the inner spaces are scented with thick coiled incense, hung from the ceiling or placed on special stands. Worshippers light and burn sticks of incense in small or large bundles, waving or raising them above their heads while bowing to statues or plaques of deities or ancestors. In Japanese Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, the sticks of incense are placed horizontally into censers on top of the ash.
The use of incense in religious ritual was also developed in ancient China and transmitted to various countries in Asia, including Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. In Mandaeism, incense is offered on stands called kinta by Mandaean priests to establish communion between humans on Earth and celestial beings in the World of Light during rituals such as baptism and death mass.
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Frequently asked questions
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 smoke from the incense symbolises sanctification and purification. It also symbolises the prayers of the faithful drifting up to heaven. Incense creates the ambiance of heaven and adds a sense of solemnity and mystery to the Mass.
The use of incense in Catholic mass has its origins in antiquity. 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 non-Asian users of incense. Incense use was either further or simultaneously developed in China and then spread to Korea, Japan, Southeast Asia, and beyond. The use of incense was continued by early Christians from the Jewish tradition, which was commanded by God and recorded in Sacred Scripture.
Incense is mentioned in the Old Testament as part of a ritual cleansing and purification of the Tabernacle, making it a worthy place to worship God. In Exodus 30, God gives Moses a "holy recipe" for how to make incense. Incense is also mentioned in Numbers 16, where it is used as a means of atonement. In the New Testament, the Book of Revelation describes the heavenly worship, which includes the use of incense.
