Lance Carson
Incense has been used in religious worship for millennia, and its use during Mass is both practical and symbolic. The practical use of incense is to create ambiance, while symbolically, the smoke is thought to represent the prayers of the faithful rising up to God. The use of incense during Mass is a way to connect heaven and earth, and to allow worshippers to enter into the presence of God.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Symbolises the prayers of the faithful rising up to God, adds solemnity to the Mass, creates the ambiance of heaven, and purifies the soul and body. |
| Usage | Incense may be used during the entrance procession, at the beginning of Mass to incense the altar, crucifix, and paschal candle, during the Liturgy of the Word, at the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist, during funeral Masses, and at the elevation of the host and chalice after the consecration. |
| Religious Text References | Exodus 30:34-38, Exodus 30:1-8, Exodus 24:15-18, Psalms 141, Psalms 97:2, Isaiah 6:4, Revelation 5:8, Matthew 3, Acts 1:9, Malachi 1:11 |
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What You'll Learn
Incense is used to symbolise the prayers of the faithful rising to God
Incense is used during Mass in the Catholic Church to symbolise the prayers of the faithful rising to God. The smoke that rises from the burning incense has been interpreted by the Christian community as a representation of their prayers ascending to God. This is supported by several verses in the Bible, 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 use of incense during Mass adds solemnity and mystery to the ceremony. It creates an ambiance that links heaven and earth, allowing the congregation to enter into the presence of God. Incense has been used in religious ceremonies for millennia, with the first instance of its use recorded over a thousand years before Jesus. In Exodus 30, God instructed Moses to build an altar for burning incense at the entrance of the meeting tent where the ark of the covenant was kept. This altar was to be used for the worship of God, and the burning incense added to the sacredness of the space.
Incense is also mentioned in the Book of Revelation, which describes heavenly worship with "golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints." This imagery of incense as a symbol of prayer is further reinforced by the prophet Malachi, who predicted that every place would offer incense to God. The use of incense during Mass is thus a continuation of this ancient tradition, symbolising the prayers of the congregation rising to God and creating a sacred atmosphere.
During funeral Masses, incense is used specifically to symbolise the faithful's prayers for the deceased rising to God. The priest incenses the coffin as a sign of honour and as a visual representation of the prayers of the congregation for their departed loved one. The smoke of the incense, along with its distinct aroma, serves as a powerful reminder of the transcendence of the Mass and the connection between heaven and earth.
The act of burning incense during Mass is a meaningful tradition that adds solemnity and symbolic value to the ceremony. Its use is deeply rooted in biblical traditions and serves as a reminder of the faithful's prayers ascending to God.
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It adds a sense of solemnity and mystery to the Mass
Incense has been used in religious worship for millennia. Its use in the Mass adds a sense of solemnity and mystery to the proceedings. The smoke that rises from burning incense is a symbol of the prayers of the faithful rising up to God. The sweet-smelling plumes of smoke from the thurible (the vessel in which incense is burned) point to the transcendent nature of the liturgy.
The use of incense in the Mass is also symbolic 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. From the angel's hand, the smoke of the incense went up before God, and with it the prayers of God's people." The Psalms also refer to God being surrounded by clouds (Psalm 97:2). Jesus ascended into heaven on a cloud (Acts 1:9), and the first instance of incense in the Bible appears over a thousand years before this event, when God came down on a cloud to meet Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 24).
The use of incense in the Mass serves to remind us of the transcendence of the Mass, linking heaven and earth, and allowing us to enter into the presence of God. The visual imagery of the smoke and the smell remind us of the mystery and solemnity of the Mass.
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 for the departed rising to God.
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Incense is used to venerate God and sacred things
Incense is used during Mass to venerate God and sacred things. The use of incense during Mass adds a sense of solemnity and mystery to the proceedings. 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.
The practice of burning incense during religious ceremonies is an ancient one. In Exodus 30:34-38, God instructs Moses to "take sweet spices and make an incense blended by the perfumer". He further instructs Moses to "put part of it before the testimony in the tent of meeting where I shall meet with you; it shall be for you most holy". This sets a precedent for the use of incense as a way to venerate God and sacred things.
The smoke from the incense is seen as a symbol of the prayers of the faithful rising up to God. In Psalm 141, the Psalmist prays, "Let my prayer come like incense before you; the lifting up of my hands, like the evening sacrifice". The Book of Revelation also describes heavenly worship in a similar manner: "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".
During Mass, incense is used at various points to venerate God and sacred objects. The priest may incense the altar, the cross, the offerings, and even the congregation. At funeral Masses, the priest may also incense the coffin as a sign of honour to the deceased and as a symbol of the faithful's prayers for the departed rising to God.
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It is used to create the ambiance of heaven
Incense is burned during Mass in the Catholic Church to create a sense of solemnity and mystery. The use of incense during Mass is also meant to symbolise the prayers of the faithful rising up to God. This symbolism is derived from several verses in the Bible.
The Book of Revelation, for instance, 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." Similarly, Psalm 141 states, "Let my prayer come like incense before you; the lifting up of my hands, like the evening sacrifice."
The use of incense during Mass is also meant to evoke the imagery of heaven, which is often described in the Bible as being filled with clouds and smoke. For instance, when the prophet Isaiah saw a heavenly vision of God, the surroundings were "filled with smoke" (Isaiah 6:4). The Psalms also refer to God being surrounded by clouds (Psalm 97:2). Jesus ascended into heaven on a cloud (Acts 1:9). Therefore, the use of incense during Mass helps to create the ambiance of heaven on earth.
Additionally, the sweet-smelling plumes of incense rising from the thurible (the vessel in which incense is burned) point to the transcendent nature of the liturgy, linking heaven and earth and allowing the faithful to enter into the presence of God.
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Incense is used to purify and bring atonement
Incense has been used in religious worship for millennia, and its use during Mass is steeped in symbolism and tradition. The act of burning incense during Mass is believed to bring about purification and atonement. This belief is rooted in the biblical story of Moses on Mount Sinai, where God appeared amidst clouds and smoke, shrouded in mystery.
The smoke from burning incense is symbolic of the prayers of the faithful rising up to God. In the Book of Psalms, the Psalmist prays, "Let my prayer come like incense before you; the lifting up of my hands, like the evening sacrifice" (Psalm 141). This imagery is further reinforced in the Book of Revelation, where heavenly worship is described as angels offering incense alongside the prayers of the saints. Thus, the use of incense during Mass creates a heavenly ambiance, linking earth with heaven.
Incense is also used to honour sacred objects and spaces. During Mass, the priest may incense the altar, the crucifix, and the paschal candle. In funeral Masses, the priest may also incense the coffin as a sign of honour to the deceased and as a symbol of the faithful's prayers rising to God. This act of incensing serves a dual purpose: it pays respect to the object or person being incensed and symbolises the purification of sins through the sweet-smelling smoke.
The use of incense during Mass adds a sense of solemnity and transcendence to the liturgy. The visual imagery of the smoke and the aroma create a multi-sensory experience, engaging the sense of smell, and helping worshippers enter more deeply into prayer. The sweet-smelling plumes of incense rising from the thurible (the vessel in which incense is burned) point to the transcendent nature of the Mass, creating a sacred and mystical atmosphere.
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Frequently asked questions
The use of incense during Mass has a long history in the Catholic Church. The smoke that rises from burning incense is seen as a symbol of the prayers of the faithful rising up to God. Incense is also mentioned in the Bible, in both the Old Testament and New Testament, and is associated with heaven and worship.
Incense may be used at various points during Mass, including during the entrance procession, at the beginning of Mass when the altar is incensed, during the procession and proclamation of the Gospel, at the offertory, and during the elevation of the host and chalice.
The type of incense can vary, and different types have different strengths of aroma. Some incense may be more pungent or sweet-smelling than others.
The priest will often swing the thurible first towards the altar cross and then around the altar itself. This act of incensing pays honour to the object it is directed towards.
If you have a negative reaction to incense, such as breathing difficulties, you could try attending a less elaborate Mass or speaking to the pastor about accommodations, such as reserving certain seats away from the incense.
