Heidi Norton
Incense has been used in religious ceremonies for thousands of years, with the first recorded use in 3600 BC by the Indus Valley Civilisation. In the context of Christian worship, the use of incense is rooted in the traditions of Judaism in the time of the Second Jewish Temple. The smoke of burning incense is interpreted by both the Western Catholic and Eastern Christian churches as a symbol of the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. Incense is also used to purify the space and prepare it for worship.
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What You'll Learn
Incense symbolises the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven
Incense has been used in Christian worship 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. The use of incense in Christian liturgy is inspired by passages in the Bible, and its use in prayer and worship carries with it a Christian symbolism.
The smoke of incense is believed to symbolise the sanctification and purification of the faithful. It also symbolises the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. This symbolism is derived from the Book of Revelation, where St. John the Apostle recorded that he saw incense being used at God’s heavenly throne:
> I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth; and he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and with golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. (Revelation 5:6-8)
The use of incense in Christian liturgy is also believed to create the ambiance of heaven. The Book of Revelation describes the heavenly worship as follows:
> 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. From the angel’s hand, the smoke of the incense went up before God, and with it the prayers of God’s people. (Revelation 8:3-4)
The use of incense in Christian liturgy is also practical, as it creates a sensory experience that engages worshippers and creates a unique atmosphere that separates the sacred from the mundane. The sweet scent of burning incense helps create an atmosphere of tranquillity, serenity, and sacredness, promoting a sense of connection with the divine.
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It is used to purify the coffin at funerals
Incense has been used in worship for centuries, with its roots in various religious and spiritual practices. In the context of Catholic funeral rites, incense plays a significant role in purifying the coffin and has several symbolic meanings.
Firstly, the use of incense during funeral Masses is deeply rooted in Catholic tradition. According to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, incense may be used at various points during the funeral service, including during the entrance procession, at the beginning of Mass, and at the proclamation of the Gospel. The priest, or in some cases, the officiant, is responsible for incensing the coffin.
The act of purifying the coffin with incense holds multiple symbolic meanings. Firstly, it signifies reverence and respect for the deceased. In Catholic belief, the human body becomes the temple of the Holy Spirit through Baptism. Therefore, incensing the coffin is a way to honour and pay respect to the deceased person's body.
Additionally, the smoke from the incense symbolises the prayers of the faithful rising to God. This belief is supported by biblical passages, such as Psalm 141, which says, "Let my prayer come like incense before you; the lifting up of my hands, like the evening sacrifice." The visual and olfactory sensations created by the incense smoke serve as a reminder of the transcendence of the Mass, linking heaven and earth, and allowing those present to enter into the presence of God.
Furthermore, the use of incense during funeral rites can be traced back to its practical functionality in traditional funeral practices. Incense was often used to mask the unpleasant odours associated with the decomposition of the body, particularly during warmer seasons. However, with the introduction of embalming services and modern funeral practices, the practical need for incense has diminished, and its use has become more ceremonial and symbolic.
In conclusion, the use of incense to purify the coffin at Catholic funeral Masses carries a wealth of symbolism and tradition. It signifies honour and respect for the deceased, symbolises the faithful's prayers rising to God, and creates a solemn atmosphere that connects heaven and earth. While its practical use in masking decomposition odours may have diminished, the ceremonial use of incense remains an integral part of Catholic funeral rites, providing comfort and spiritual significance to those mourning the loss of a loved one.
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Incense is used to bless statues and images
Incense is used in Christian worship to bless statues and images. The practice has its origins in antiquity, with the first recorded use of incense by the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilization 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, which was used by Hindus for centuries by the time of the 5th Dynasty. The use of incense in Christian worship is inspired by passages in the Bible, and its use in prayer and worship carries Christian symbolism.
The smoke from burning incense is interpreted by both the Western Catholic and Eastern Christian churches as a symbol of the faithful's prayers 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." Incense is also used as part of a purification ritual. In the Revelation of John, incense symbolizes the prayers of the saints in heaven—the "golden bowl full of incense" are "the prayers of the saints" (Revelation 5:8).
The use of incense in Christian worship can be traced back to the early Church, when Jews continued to use incense in their Temple rituals. It is safe to conclude that Christians adapted its usage for their own rituals. In the liturgies of Saints James and Mark, which originate in the fifth century, the use of incense is mentioned. A Roman Ritual of the seventh century also marks its usage in the procession of a bishop to the altar and on Good Friday.
Incense is used in various solemn processions, graveside services, the blessing of the dedication of new churches, and the blessing of statues and images. It is also used during the singing of the Gospel canticle at solemn Morning and Evening Prayers of the Divine Office. Incense is burned atop new altars as they are undergoing the process of consecration before their first use.
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It creates the ambiance of heaven
The use of incense in churches is steeped in symbolism and tradition. In the Christian tradition, incense is used in prayer and worship, carrying a wealth of Christian symbolism. Its use is inspired by passages in the Bible, particularly the Book of Revelation, which describes heavenly worship with incense:
> "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. From the angel’s hand, the smoke of the incense went up before God, and with it the prayers of God’s people."
The smoke of incense is believed to symbolise the sanctification and purification of the altar, as well as the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. The sweet, fragrant smoke creates a heavenly ambiance, connecting the earthly ceremony with the divine realm.
The use of incense in Christian liturgy is believed to have originated from earlier Jewish traditions. The first recorded use of incense was by the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilisation in 3600 BC, and it has been used in various religious traditions around the world, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, and Shinto. In many of these traditions, incense is offered as a sacrificial or symbolic offering to deities or spirits, and it is also used to purify spaces and prepare them for worship.
In the Christian context, the incense ritual holds a profound spiritual significance. The visual and olfactory experience of incense engages the senses of the worshippers, creating a unique and sacred atmosphere. The sweet aroma of incense, along with the visual imagery of the smoke, adds a sense of solemnity, mystery, and transcendence to the Mass. It serves as a reminder of the connection between heaven and earth and symbolises the presence of God.
The act of burning incense is not merely decorative but holds deep symbolic meaning. It is a powerful liturgical gift, enhancing the worship experience and promoting a sense of connection with the divine.
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Incense is used in processions
The use of incense in processions is a tradition that dates back thousands of years, connecting modern worshippers with ancient practices. The practice is rooted in the earlier traditions of Judaism in the time of the Second Jewish Temple. The first recorded use of incense was by the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilisation in 3600 BC, and it has been used in various religious contexts since then.
In Christian liturgy, the use of incense is symbolic of sanctification and purification. It is often used in processions at the beginning of Mass, to incense the altar, and during the proclamation of the Gospel. The priest may also incense the crucifix and the Paschal candle. The incense is usually blessed with a prayer and spooned onto red-hot charcoal in a censer, which is then swung by the priest or server towards what or who is being censed.
The use of incense in processions is also mentioned in the Bible. In the Book of Revelation, St. John describes his vision of heavenly worship, which includes the use of incense:
> "Another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer; and he was given much incense to mingle with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar before the throne; and the smoke of the incense rose with the prayers of the saints from the hand of the angel before God." (Revelation 8:3-4)
This passage highlights the connection between incense and the prayers of the faithful, rising to God like the smoke from the censer.
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Frequently asked questions
Incense is used in church services as a powerful symbol. It represents the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven and is a visual and olfactory reminder of our connection to the divine.
The use of incense in Christianity is inspired by passages in the Bible. Incense has been 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.
Incense is burned during processions, 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.
