Seamus Hammond
Incense is used in many religions, including Catholicism, where it holds a significant role in worship and liturgical celebrations. The use of incense in religious contexts predates Christianity, with the practice being noted in the Talmud and the Bible, which mentions incense 170 times. In the Catholic Church, incense is burned during Mass, with the smoke symbolically purifying all that it touches. The specific types of incense used in Catholic incense include frankincense, myrrh, benzoin, styrax, copal, and other aromatics.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Symbolic or sacrificial offering, prayer, purification, protection against evil, honouring the dead |
| Religious Use | Catholic, Buddhist, Taoist, Shinto, Hindu, Jewish |
| Religious Texts | Mentioned in the Bible 170 times, the Talmud, the Bhagavad Gita, the Old Testament, the Book of Exodus, the Book of Revelation, the Quran |
| Religious Figures | Moses, John the Baptist, Mary, Jesus, the Magi |
| Religious Objects | Thurible, censer, Paschal candle, chalice, diskos, paten, Gospel, crucifix, icons |
| Religious Occasions | Mass, funerals, benediction, consecration, exorcism, Easter, Christmas |
| Common Ingredients | Frankincense, myrrh, benzoin, styrax, copal, aromatics, cassia, sandalwood, storax, onycha, galbanum |
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Frankincense
The use of frankincense in Catholic incense has deep roots in ancient Catholic tradition. It is mentioned in the Bible, where it is given as a gift to the infant Jesus by one of the three Magi. In the Gospel of Matthew, this gift is presented to proclaim and affirm Jesus' divine kingship.
The burning of frankincense in Catholic incense is a symbolic act, connecting the worship on earth with the worship of heaven. It is a powerful tool in the spiritual journey, adding depth and meaning to the ritual.
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Myrrh
Incense has been used in Catholic worship since antiquity. The smoke from burning incense is interpreted as a symbol of the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. The use of incense in Christian rituals is inspired by passages in the Bible.
The Latin Mass Society offers a traditional blend of Mount Athos incense, made by monks and scented with myrrh. This high-grade incense contains essential oils and frankincense resin, resulting in a long-lasting and fragrant burn.
The use of myrrh in Catholic incense underscores the importance of ritual and symbolism in Catholic worship. The act of burning incense, with its distinct aroma, elevates the spiritual experience and connects the faithful to their faith and each other.
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Storax, onycha, galbanum
Incense has been used in religious rituals for thousands of years, with the first recorded use by the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilisation in 3600 BC. The use of incense in Catholic worship is an important part of connecting our worship on earth with the worship of heaven. The ingredients used in Catholic incense are detailed in Exodus 30, where Moses is tasked with making the incense using fragrant spices.
Storax, also known as styrax, is a resin that is mentioned in the Bible as one of the ingredients for the temple incense or ketoret. It is derived from the Styrax tree, which is native to regions including Southeast Asia and North America. Storax has a sweet and balsamic fragrance and is often used in perfumes and incense.
Onycha is another ingredient mentioned in Exodus 30 as part of the formula for consecrated incense. The original Hebrew word used for this component is "shecheleth", which has been translated as "a tear, distillation, or exudation". There is some debate about the exact nature of onycha, with some scholars suggesting it could be a soft resinous material, while others propose it may be related to the shell or scale of snails from the Red Sea that emit a pleasant smell when burned.
Galbanum is a fragrant gum that is also mentioned in Exodus 30 as part of the incense formula. The word stems from a Hebrew root meaning "fat, rich, choice, or the best". It is derived from the ferula plant, which is native to the Middle East and has a strong, pungent aroma.
These three ingredients, along with equal parts of frankincense, were used in Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem and were not to be duplicated for non-sacred use. The specific process for making sacred incense was likely a closely guarded secret, and its use was purely for holy purposes.
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Benzoin, styrax, copal
Incense is used in many religious rituals and ceremonies, including those of the Catholic Church. The burning of incense may be intended as a symbolic or sacrificial offering to various deities or spirits, or to serve as an aid in prayer.
Benzoin, styrax, and copal are all types of incense with distinct properties and uses. Benzoin is a balsamic resin obtained from the bark of several species of trees in the genus Styrax. It is used in perfumes, some kinds of incense, flavouring, and medicine. There are two common types of benzoin: Styrax benzoin, also known as Sumatra benzoin, and Styrax tonkinensis, also known as Siam benzoin. Sumatra benzoin contains cinnamic acid in addition to benzoic acid and is commonly used in pharmaceutical preparations. Siam benzoin, on the other hand, is generally considered higher quality and is used more often in the flavour and fragrance industries. Both types of benzoin have a very sweet scent and can cause coughing if used in large quantities.
Styrax, or Liquidambar, is also used in church incense and is sometimes called storax. It is distinct from the balsam of the same name obtained from the Hamamelidaceae family.
Copal is used for its purifying properties in Mexico and several other countries in the region. It is an essential gum, similar to benzoin, which is available in various grain sizes.
The use of incense in Catholic Mass is a traditional and important part of Catholic worship. The servers at Catholic Mass kneel before the altar during the Sanctus, and then the server swings the incense as the priest offers up the Lamb of God. This ritual is believed to connect the worship on earth with the worship of heaven.
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Aromatics
Incense is used in many religions, including Catholicism, and has been used for thousands of years. The use of incense in religious worship predates Christianity, with the practice first being recorded in the East circa 2000 BC, with the burning of cassia and sandalwood. The practice then spread to the West.
The Bible mentions incense 170 times, and it is noted in the Talmud. 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 burning of incense is thought to symbolise the purification of the surroundings. In the Catholic Church, incense is used to symbolise prayer, with the smoke rising like a prayer to God. Incense is also used as protection against evil and is used in exorcisms and blessings of houses.
Many aromatics are used in Catholic incense, including frankincense, myrrh, benzoin, styrax, copal, and other aromatics. Frankincense and myrrh are blessed at the Mass of the Feast of the Epiphany to commemorate the visitation of the Biblical Magi to the Baby Jesus. These incenses are distributed to attendees to use at their family altars and to reserve for use at the coming Easter.
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Frequently asked questions
Incense is used in Catholic worship to symbolise prayer and to purify all that it touches. It is also used as protection against evil in exorcism rituals.
Incense consists of frankincense, myrrh, benzoin, styrax, copal, or other aromatics.
Catholic incense has a sweet fragrance.
