Heidi Norton
Incense is a key component of Catholic Mass, with its use dating back to ancient times. The burning of incense is steeped in ritual and reverence, with its smoke symbolising the purification of the altar and the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. The Bible mentions incense 170 times, with the first instance of its use appearing over a thousand years before Jesus. The Catholic Church uses incense in liturgical celebrations, with the earliest documented history of its use during a Catholic sacrificial liturgy stemming from the Eastern branch of the Church in the 5th century. The specific blend of incense varies across regions and churches, but it typically includes fragrant resins and essential oils, with frankincense and myrrh being the most prominent ingredients.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Purification and sanctification |
| Symbolises the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven | |
| Adds solemnity and mystery to the Mass | |
| Links Heaven and Earth | |
| History | The use of incense predates Christianity by thousands of years |
| The earliest documented history of using incense during a Catholic liturgy is from the 5th century | |
| The use of incense in Jewish temple worship influenced the Catholic Church's use of incense | |
| Ingredients | Fragrant resins |
| Essential oils | |
| Frankincense | |
| Myrrh | |
| Benzoin | |
| Copal | |
| Styrax | |
| Opoponax |
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What You'll Learn
Incense is used to symbolise purification and sanctification
The use of incense in the Catholic Church is a tradition that dates back centuries. It is believed to have been influenced by the use of incense in Jewish temple worship, which continued well after the establishment of Christianity. The earliest documented history of using incense during a Catholic liturgy comes from the Eastern branch of the Church, with the rituals of the Divine Liturgies of Saint James and Saint Mark in the 5th century mentioning its use.
Incense is believed to symbolise purification and sanctification. The smoke from burning incense is thought to purify all that it touches, and it is used to cleanse the altar and other liturgical objects. In the Eastern Rites, for example, the altar and sanctuary area are incensed at the beginning of Mass while Psalm 50, the "Miserere", is chanted, invoking God's mercy. This practice is also evident in the Chaldean Rite, where those preparing to receive Holy Communion first purify their hands by holding them over a bowl of burning incense.
Additionally, incense is used to symbolise sanctification. In the Maronite Rite, liturgical vessels are inverted over burning incense to catch the fragrant smoke as part of their purification process. The smoke from incense is also believed to symbolise the prayers of the faithful rising up to heaven. This symbolism is evident in Psalm 141, which reads, "Let my prayer come like incense before you; the lifting up of my hands, like the evening sacrifice."
The use of incense adds a sense of solemnity and mystery to the Mass, engaging the sense of smell to create a spiritual experience. The specific blend of incense used can vary between different churches and monasteries, often including natural ingredients such as fragrant resins and essential oils.
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It is steeped in centuries-old traditions
The use of incense in the Catholic Church is a tradition that dates back centuries. The practice is mentioned in the Bible, with the first instance of incense appearing over a thousand years before Jesus. In Exodus 24, God descended upon Mount Sinai in a cloud, and Moses was called up into the cloud. This powerful event would have been imprinted on the consciousness of every Israelite, leading to a profound respect for God.
The use of incense continued in Jewish temple worship, influencing the Catholic Church's adoption of the practice in liturgical celebrations. The earliest documented history of incense use in the Catholic Church comes from the 5th century, with the rituals of Saints James and Mark, and the 7th century Ordo Romanus VIII mentions its use during the procession of a bishop.
The incense used in Catholic churches is typically a blend of natural ingredients, including fragrant resins and essential oils, with frankincense and myrrh being the most prominent. The smoke from burning incense is believed to symbolically purify all it touches and sanctify the ceremony. It also adds a sense of solemnity and mystery to the Mass, creating an ambiance of heaven and linking Earth with the divine.
The use of incense in the Catholic Church is steeped in centuries-old traditions, with each ingredient in the blend contributing to its unique aroma. The practice has evolved over time, adapting to local customs and the availability of ingredients, resulting in diverse incense blends across regions.
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The Bible mentions incense 170 times
Incense has a long and significant history in the Catholic Church and is deeply rooted in biblical traditions. The Bible, across both the Old and New Testaments, mentions incense around 170 times, highlighting its importance as a symbol and a ritual practice.
Incense, with its fragrant smoke, has long been used in religious ceremonies and plays a key role in Catholic liturgy. The act of burning incense is seen as a form of prayer, with the rising smoke symbolizing the prayers of the faithful rising to Heaven. This is reflected in the Bible, where incense is often associated with prayer and worship. For example, in the Book of Psalms, we read, "Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice" (Psalm 141:2).
The use of incense also symbolizes the presence of God and the sacredness of a place or object. In the Bible, incense was used in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple to accompany the sacrifices made by the priests. The Book of Exodus provides detailed instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle, including the altar of incense: "You shall put the altar in front of the veil that is over the ark of the testimony, in front of the mercy seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with you" (Exodus 30:6-7).
Incense is also mentioned in the New Testament, particularly in the Gospel of Matthew, where the Magi, or wise men, are said to have brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the newborn Jesus (Matthew 2:11). Here, incense is presented as a gift fit for a king, symbolizing Jesus' divinity and the worship due to him.
The Catholic Church continues to use incense in its liturgy, including during Mass, processions, and benedictions. It serves as a powerful sensory reminder of the sacredness of these rituals and helps to create an atmosphere of reverence and devotion. The act of swinging the censer, from which the incense is burned, is also symbolic. The smoke that rises is meant to symbolize the Holy Spirit and the spreading of God's grace, while the sweet fragrance is meant to evoke a sense of joy and peace.
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Incense is distributed to attendees for use at their own family altars
The use of incense in the Catholic Church is steeped in centuries-old traditions, telling a tale of devotion and spirituality. The practice of burning incense is believed to have originated in the East around 2000 BC, with the burning of cassia and sandalwood. The Bible mentions incense 170 times, with the first instance appearing over a thousand years before Jesus.
The use of incense in Catholic masses is believed to have been influenced by Jewish temple worship, which continued well after the establishment of Christianity. The earliest documented history of using incense during a Catholic liturgy comes from the 5th century, in the liturgies of Saints James and Mark. In the 7th century Ordo Romanus VIII of Saint Amand, the use of incense is mentioned during the procession of a bishop to the altar on Good Friday.
Incense is believed to have symbolic meaning and is used to purify all that it touches. In the Eastern Rites at the beginning of Mass, the altar and sanctuary area are incensed while Psalm 50, the "Miserere," is chanted, invoking the mercy of God. The smoke symbolizes the prayers of the faithful drifting up to heaven, as described in Psalm 141: "Let my prayer come like incense before you; the lifting up of my hands, like the evening sacrifice."
The visual imagery and smell of incense reinforce the transcendence of the Mass, linking Heaven and Earth, and allowing worshippers to enter into the presence of God. Incense is also used during funeral Masses, where the priest incenses the coffin as a sign of honour to the deceased and as a symbol of the faithful's prayers rising to God.
Incense is distributed to attendees during Mass for use at their own family altars and for reserving for the coming Easter to prepare their home paschal candles. This practice encourages the use of all five senses during worship, enhancing the spiritual experience and allowing individuals to bring a piece of the sacred liturgy into their homes.
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The smoke from incense symbolises the prayers of the faithful drifting up to heaven
The use of incense in the Catholic Church is a tradition that dates back thousands of years, even before the advent of Christianity. The practice has its roots in ancient rituals, with the earliest documented history of incense use in the Catholic Church stemming from the 5th century liturgies of Saints James and Mark.
The smoke from incense holds symbolic significance in Catholic Mass. It is believed to symbolise the prayers of the faithful rising up to heaven, as mentioned in Psalm 141: "Let my prayer come like incense before you; the lifting up of my hands, like the evening sacrifice." The Book of Revelation further reinforces this symbolism, describing heavenly worship with the offering of 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."
The act of burning incense adds solemnity and mystery to the Mass, creating an ambiance that links Heaven and Earth. The smoke is believed to purify all it touches, including the altar, and sanctify the ceremony. This purification ritual is also evident in the Chaldean Rite, where individuals preparing for Holy Communion purify their hands by holding them above a bowl of burning incense.
The Catholic Church typically uses a blend of natural ingredients for incense, including fragrant resins like frankincense (gum olibanum) and myrrh, blended with essential oils and other aromatic ingredients. Each church or monastery may have its unique blend, contributing to their spiritual atmosphere. The use of incense in Catholic Mass is thus a symbolic and sensory experience, engaging the sense of smell to enhance the spiritual journey.
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Frequently asked questions
The use of incense in religious worship predates Christianity by thousands of years. The practice first originated in the East around 2000 BC, with the burning of cassia and sandalwood in China. The burning of incense is mentioned in the Bible 170 times, with the first instance of incense appearing over a thousand years before Jesus.
The incense smoke symbolically purifies all that it touches and adds a sense of solemnity and mystery to the Mass. The smoke also symbolizes the prayers of the faithful drifting up to heaven.
The Catholic Church uses a blend of natural ingredients, including fragrant resins and essential oils. The two most common types of incense used are frankincense and myrrh. However, each church or monastery might have its own unique blend.
