Anisha Riggs
Incense is an aromatic substance that is widely used in religious rituals and ceremonies. The use of incense in Catholic churches is steeped in centuries-old traditions, enhancing the spiritual experience and creating an atmosphere of tranquility and sacredness. The sweet fragrance of incense is believed to symbolise the prayers of Catholic practitioners rising up to heaven. The ingredients used in Catholic incense vary, but two key resins stand out – frankincense and myrrh. These resins are obtained from trees, with frankincense sourced from the Boswellia family and myrrh from the Commiphora family. Other ingredients may include benzoin, copal, styrax, opoponax, and essential oils, resulting in a unique and recognisable aroma.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main Ingredient | Frankincense |
| Other Ingredients | Myrrh, Benzoin, Copal, Olibanum Indie, Boswellia Serrata, Styrax, Opoponax, Essential Oils |
| Purpose | Purifying, Symbolic, Protection Against Evil |
| Use | Burned in censers, placed in sepulchers of consecrated altars, placed in Paschal candles |
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Frankincense
The use of incense in Catholic liturgy has a long history. The Bible mentions incense 170 times, and the Old Testament commands the burning of incense (e.g. Exodus 30:7, 40:27). The earliest documented history of using incense during a Catholic sacrificial liturgy comes from the Eastern branch of the Church, with the rituals of the Divine Liturgies of Saint James and Saint Mark dating from the 5th century.
The Catholic Church is a major consumer of frankincense, and the trees from which it is derived are in severe decline. Boswellia papyrifera, which grows in conflict-rife regions of Ethiopia and Sudan, is at risk of extinction within the next 50 years. Frankincense buyers, including the Catholic Church, have been urged to demand transparency and traceability in the sourcing of resins to ensure the ethical treatment of harvesters and local communities.
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Myrrh
The use of myrrh in Catholic incense is steeped in symbolism and ritual. It is often blended with frankincense, another resin with a sweet fragrance, to signify the birth and foreshadow the death of Jesus Christ. This blend of resins is thought to create a symphony of scents that uplift the senses and enhance the spiritual experience.
The sweet, resinous smell of myrrh is believed to have a purifying effect, and it is used at various points during Catholic Mass. These include during the entrance procession, the beginning of Mass, the scenting of the altar, the proclamation of the Gospel, and the offertory. The smoke from burning myrrh incense is interpreted as a symbol of the prayers of Catholic practitioners rising towards Heaven, connecting them to the divine.
The use of myrrh in Catholic incense holds deep roots in ancient Catholic tradition. It is mentioned in the Bible as one of the gifts given to Baby Jesus by the Three Wise Men, and it continues to be used in liturgical celebrations, such as the Mass of the Feast of the Epiphany, to commemorate this biblical event. The incense is distributed to attendees, who use it at their family altars and during Easter celebrations, integrating their faith with a rich sensory experience.
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Benzoin
In Catholic incense, benzoin is typically used in small proportions, adding a rich, balsamic essence to the blend. Its inclusion in the incense formula is not just for its aromatic qualities but also for its potential therapeutic benefits. Benzoin is believed to possess antiseptic, stimulant, expectorant, and diuretic properties, contributing to a purifying and uplifting atmosphere during religious ceremonies.
The use of benzoin in Catholic incense is not limited to one specific type of ceremony. It is commonly used in Catholic masses, where the incense is burned at various points, such as during the entrance procession, the beginning of mass, and the scenting of the altar. The smoke created by burning benzoin, along with other aromatic ingredients, is thought to symbolise the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven.
The inclusion of benzoin in Catholic incense reflects its symbolic significance and long-standing tradition in religious practices. Its use in Catholic ceremonies, alongside other ingredients, creates an atmosphere of spirituality, serenity, and sacredness, enhancing the overall worship experience for practitioners.
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Copal
The use of copal incense in Catholic rites was initially opposed by Spanish colonizers. However, by the late 1800s, its use became widely recognized in ecclesiastical ceremonies. Today, copal is burned on altars and graves during El Dia de Los Muertos in Mexico, paying homage to the deceased.
In the wild, insects attack the copal tree, and the plant reacts by producing drops of resin to plug the hole from the inside. A particularly potent form of copal is copal negro, which is processed by removing all the bark and beating the resin out of it, destroying the tree. This form of copal was forbidden to be used in Catholic mass as incense due to its association with a maize god.
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History of incense in the Catholic Church
The use of incense in religious worship predates Christianity by thousands of years. The burning of incense was first recorded in Egypt around 2400 BC, 400 years before the time of Abraham. Incense was also burned in ancient China, and it has been used in Buddhist, Shinto, and Taoist ceremonies. The use of incense in Jewish temple worship continued well after the establishment of Christianity and influenced the Catholic Church's use of incense in liturgical celebrations.
The earliest documented history of using incense during a Catholic liturgy comes from the Eastern branch of the Church. The practice was likely influenced by Jewish ritual, in which incense was used in connection with eucharistic offerings of oil, fruits, and wine, or unbloody sacrifices. The Bible mentions building an altar of incense to stand beside the altar of sacrifice (Exodus 30:1-10). The priest was commanded to offer incense each morning and evening (Exodus 30:7-8) and to burn frankincense when offering flour and oil (Leviticus 6:15).
The use of incense in Christian worship was initially negative, as Christians were forced to offer incense to pagan gods. This practice was likely abandoned to avoid confusion and present a clear witness, and it made a comeback in the fifth century once Christianity was firmly established. Its use increased in the East and the West, and it became a symbol of prayer and a means of sanctifying and purifying.
Today, the use of incense is optional for most Catholic Masses, but it is still used to purify the coffin at funerals and to bless statues and images. The smoke from burning incense is believed to purify the altar and signify the prayers of the faithful ascending to heaven.
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Frequently asked questions
The most common ingredient used in Catholic incense is frankincense, a gum resin with a sweet, citrusy, and slightly piney aroma. However, the primary ingredient used may vary from church to church.
Other common ingredients include myrrh, benzoin, copal resin, and essential oils.
Incense is used in Catholic churches for its spiritual significance and to symbolise the prayers of Catholic practitioners rising to heaven. It is also thought to be purifying and is used to protect against evil.
