Lance Carson
Incense has been used in religious rituals for thousands of years, with the first recorded use dating back to Egypt around 2400 BC. It is used in a variety of religious traditions, including Christianity, Buddhism, Shintoism, Taoism, Judaism, and Mandaeism. In the context of Mass, incense is often burned during the entrance procession, at the beginning of Mass to incense the altar, during the Gospel procession and proclamation, at the preparation of offerings, and during the Eucharistic prayer. The container used for burning incense in a church is called a thurible or a censer and is typically made of metal and suspended on chains. The use of incense in Mass is meant to add solemnity and mystery to the ceremony, with the smoke symbolizing the prayers of the faithful rising to God.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the incense holder | Thurible or censer |
| Material | Metal |
| Shape | Suspended on chains |
| Usage | To burn incense during processions, at the altar, during proclamations, at the offertory, and at the elevation of the Sacred Host and Chalice |
| User | Priest, deacon, server, or acolyte |
| Purpose | To add solemnity and mystery to the Mass, to symbolise the transcendence of the Mass, and to symbolise the prayers of the faithful rising to God |
| Types of incense used | Frankincense and myrrh |
| Fragrance | Woody, earthy, sweet, smoky, spicy, and citrusy |
| Alternative | E-Thurible |
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What You'll Learn
Incense is swung in a thurible or censer
Incense is burned in a thurible or censer, a metal container suspended on chains that is swung to distribute the fragrant smoke. The thurible is closed, and taken by the chain and swung by the priest, deacon, or server towards what or who is being censed. The incense is usually blessed with a prayer and spooned onto red-hot charcoal. The smoke of incense is interpreted as a symbol of the prayer of the faithful rising to heaven.
The use of incense is optional for most Catholic masses, but it is used lavishly at all six weekend masses and throughout the liturgical year in some parishes. 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 may incense the coffin as a sign of honour to the deceased and as a sign of the faithful's prayers rising to God.
The most common variety of incense used is frankincense, which lends a woody, earthy scent with hints of citrus. The sweet scent of burning incense creates an atmosphere of tranquillity, serenity, and sacredness, enhancing the worship experience and promoting a sense of connection with the divine.
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It's used to purify coffins at funerals
Incense has been used in religious ceremonies for millennia, with the practice rooted in the traditions of Judaism during the time of the Second Jewish Temple. In Christian worship, incense is used during the celebration of the Eucharist, at solemn celebrations of the Divine Office, in particular at Solemn Vespers, at Solemn Evensong, at funerals, and during benediction and exposition of the Eucharist.
Incense is used at Catholic funeral Masses to purify the coffin, as well as to bless statues and images. The priest incenses the coffin as a sign of prayer and as a sign of reverence for the deceased, who became a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit through baptism. The incense smoke symbolises the ascension to heaven of the soul of the deceased. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the faithful, is believed to rise up to God.
In the past, incense was also used to mask the smell of decomposition, particularly during the summer or warmer seasons. However, with modern funeral practices, embalming, and refrigeration, this functional use of incense has become less common.
The container that holds the incense is called a thurible or censer. The person who carries the thurible is called a thurifer.
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Incense is a spiritual offering
In Christianity, incense is used during worship services and important ceremonies such as Mass to symbolise the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. The smoke of burning incense is mentioned in the Bible, specifically 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 adds a sense of solemnity and mystery to the Mass, linking heaven and earth and allowing worshippers to enter into the presence of God.
In Buddhism, incense plays a crucial role in meditation practices and daily rituals. It is believed to have a calming effect, helping to purify negative thoughts and emotions. Buddhist temples use incense as part of their daily rituals and during special ceremonies such as weddings and funerals.
In Hinduism, incense is deeply rooted in the culture and is used in various ways, including during puja, a daily devotional ritual involving prayers and candle lighting.
Incense is also used in Islam as a sacred and traditional practice that holds significant spiritual value. It is burned in mosques and Muslim households, creating a sweet fragrance that is believed to have therapeutic effects.
The use of incense in Judaism has evolved over time. While it was once used in Jewish temples as daily offerings to God, today it is more commonly burned in homes during the Jewish Sabbath (Shabbat) and other important holidays.
Additionally, the use of incense holds cultural and symbolic significance. Different cultures have unique scents and blends of incense that are believed to stimulate and activate psychic centres, assist in meditation, and evoke specific emotions and passions. The act of burning incense can connect people to their cultural heritage and foster a sense of community.
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It's used at the beginning of Mass to incense the altar
Incense has been used in Christian worship since antiquity, with the first recorded use of incense for worship dating back to Egypt around 2400 B.C. The use of incense during Mass is believed to symbolise the prayers of the faithful rising to God, with the smoke from the incense interpreted as a symbol of the prayer of the faithful rising to heaven.
The container used for burning incense in a church is called a thurible or a censer. It is typically a metal container suspended on chains, allowing it to be swung to distribute the fragrant smoke. During Mass, the thurifer (the server who carries the thurible) leads the procession with the thurible swinging from side to side. An acolyte holds a smoking bowl of incense in front of a reader who holds the Book of the Gospels aloft.
Incense is used at the beginning of Mass to incense the altar. The altar server uses incense at this point in the Mass, and the server swings the incense as the priest offers up the Lamb of God on the altar. This is when heaven's doors are believed to open, and earth and heaven meet. The use of incense at this point in the Mass is thus an important part of Catholic worship, as it symbolises the connection between worship on earth and worship in heaven.
The use of incense in Catholic worship is rooted in the earlier traditions of Judaism in the time of the Second Jewish Temple. The practice is also believed to have been influenced by the use of incense in ancient China, where it played a role in Buddhist, Shinto, and Taoist ceremonies.
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Incense is used in Christian worship to symbolise the prayers of the faithful rising to God
Incense has been used in Christian worship for millennia, and its roots can be traced back to the rituals of the Jews in the time of the Second Jewish Temple. The use of incense in Christian worship is inspired by passages in the Bible, such as 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 smoke that rises from burning incense is interpreted by the Western Catholic and Eastern Christian churches as a symbol of the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. This symbolism is also seen in the Revelation of John, where incense symbolises the prayers of the saints in heaven, infusing upwards towards the altar of God. In Christian worship, incense is used during the celebration of the Eucharist, at solemn celebrations of the Divine Office, funerals, and at other services.
The container used for burning incense in a church is called a thurible or a censer. It is typically a metal container suspended on chains, allowing it to be swung to distribute the fragrant smoke. During a funeral Mass, 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 use of incense adds a sense of solemnity and mystery to the Mass, creating a unique atmosphere that separates the sacred from the mundane. 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 into the presence of God.
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Frequently asked questions
The container used for burning incense in a church is called a thurible or a censer.
The scent of church incense is often rich, sweet, and spicy. The most common variety used, frankincense, lends a woody, earthy scent with hints of citrus.
An altar server or a priest, deacon, or acolyte swings the incense during mass. The server who carries the thurible is called a thurifer.
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.
