Heidi Norton
Incense has been used in religious ceremonies for thousands of years, dating back to the ancient world. In Christianity, incense is used in the full ceremonial form of a Mass, known as the Solemn Mass, High Mass, or Solemn High Mass. The use of incense in Christian worship is inspired by passages in the Bible and carries symbolic significance. The smoke from burning incense is believed to symbolise the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven, purification, and sanctification. The visual imagery and fragrance of the incense add a sense of solemnity and mystery to the Mass, enhancing the worship experience.
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What You'll Learn
Incense is used to add solemnity and mystery to the Mass
Incense has been used in religious rites since ancient times, and its use in the Mass is associated with several meanings and purposes. The smoke from incense is believed to symbolise the prayers of the faithful rising 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 use of incense during Mass also adds an air of solemnity and mystery. The visual imagery of the smoke and its scent remind worshippers of the transcendence of the Mass, linking heaven and earth and allowing them to enter the presence of God. The sweet fragrance of incense is also likened to the presence of God, as described in Exodus 30:7, 40:27, and other passages in the Old Testament where God commands the burning of incense as a sacramental act to venerate, bless, and sanctify.
In the Mass, incense is used at various points, including during processions, at the beginning of Mass to incense the altar, during the proclamation of the Gospel, at the offertory to incense the offerings, and at the elevation of the Sacred Host and chalice of Precious Blood. The altar, which represents Christ and his five wounds, is incensed as a sign of devotion and honour towards the Holy Gospel.
The act of incensing is also symbolic of purification and sanctification. For example, in the Eastern Rites, the altar and sanctuary area are incensed while Psalm 50, the "Miserere", is chanted to invoke God's mercy.
In addition to its theological and scriptural significance, the consistent use of incense during Mass serves a practical purpose, helping to train altar servers to serve with grace and understanding of the rituals they perform.
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It is burned in a thurible, a metal incense burner
Incense has been used in religious ceremonies for thousands of years, with the first recorded use being by the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilisation in 3600 BC. In the ancient world, it was used by the Assyrians, Babylonians, and Egyptians, and featured in Jewish rituals. Its use in Christianity is inspired by passages in the Bible, with its smoke symbolising purification and sanctification.
In Christian churches, incense is burned during worship services in a thurible, a metal incense burner suspended from chains. The person who carries the thurible is called the thurifer and they may be assisted by a boat bearer who carries a receptacle for the incense. The thurible is used to cense a person or object, and the priest may also use it to incense the offerings for Mass.
The use of incense adds a sense of solemnity to the Mass, with the smoke creating an atmosphere of mystery and beauty. The incense used may be pure myrrh, symbolising the anointing of Jesus' body, and turning worshippers into a purified offering to God. The burning of incense also serves as a reminder that we are united with the worship offered to God in Heaven by His Angels and Saints.
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Incense has been used in religious rites since antiquity
Incense is an aromatic biotic material that releases fragrant smoke when burnt. It is used for aesthetic reasons, religious worship, aromatherapy, meditation, and ceremonial reasons. The use of incense in religious rites can be traced back to ancient times, with the first recorded use of incense by the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilisation in 3600 BC.
Incense was also prominent in ancient Egypt, where it was used in religious ritual, such as at the daily liturgy before the cult image of the sun god Amon-Re. The Egyptians of the Fifth Dynasty (2345-2494 BC) were the first in the non-Asian world to use incense, which had been used by Hindus for centuries by that time. Incense was employed to create pleasant aromas, as a medicinal tool, and to drive away demons. The ancient Egyptians also believed that incense manifested the presence of the gods and gratified them.
Incense spread from Egypt to Greece, Rome, and Israel. The Babylonians used incense while offering prayers to divine oracles, and it was also used in the ancient world by the Assyrians. The use of incense in Israelite liturgy included a mixture of frankincense, storax, onycha, galbanum, and salt as a preservative. Incense was also mentioned in the Bible for use in the Temple.
The use of incense in Christianity is inspired by passages in the Bible, and it has been employed in worship by Christians since antiquity, particularly in the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Catholic Church, Orthodox Christian churches, Lutheran Churches, Old Catholic/Liberal Catholic Churches, and some Anglican Churches. The smoke of burning incense is interpreted by both the Western Catholic and Eastern Christian churches as a symbol of the prayer of the faithful rising to heaven. The use of incense in the ancient world was common, especially in religious rites, where it was used to keep demons away.
Incense is also used in East Asian Buddhist ceremonies and rites, as well as in Chinese Taoist and Japanese Shinto shrines. In India, incense has been used since 3600 BC and is a traditional and ubiquitous practice in almost all pujas, prayers, and other forms of worship. In China, the use of incense in the religious sense began around 2000 BCE, and it was composed of herbs and plant products such as cassia, cinnamon, styrax, and sandalwood.
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It is used in Christian churches, including Catholic, Lutheran and Anglican
Incense is used in Christian churches, including Catholic, Lutheran, and Anglican denominations. The use of incense in Christianity is inspired by passages in the Bible, with its use in prayer and worship carrying Christian symbolism. The practice is rooted in the earlier traditions of Judaism, dating back to the time of the Second Jewish Temple.
The smoke of burning incense is interpreted by both the Western Catholic and Eastern Christian churches as a symbol of the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. The visual imagery of the smoke and the smell remind us of the transcendence of the Mass, which links heaven and earth, and allows us to enter the presence of God. Incense is also used to symbolise the sanctifying grace of the Holy Spirit and the prayers of the Saints rising to heaven.
The use of incense in the ancient world was common, especially in religious rites where it was used to keep demons away. Herodotus, a Greek historian, recorded that it was popular among the Assyrians, Babylonians, and Egyptians. In Christianity, the use of incense is symbolic of cleansing and purification, with its fragrance suggesting "Christ's robe of righteousness" that covers the sin of humankind.
Incense is used at prescribed moments in every "solemn" or "sung" Mass, with some exceptions, such as for a Sung Mass Without Incense. It is also used during the canon and at the elevations when the bells are rung. A different fragrance is used for each season of the liturgical year.
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The incense is often pure myrrh
Incense has been used in religious ceremonies for millennia, with the first recorded use by the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilisation in 3600 BC. In Christianity, the use of incense is inspired by passages in the Bible, and it has been employed in worship by Christians since antiquity, particularly in the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Catholic Church, Orthodox Christian churches, Lutheran Churches, Old Catholic/Liberal Catholic Churches, and some Anglican Churches.
The use of incense in the ancient world was common, especially in religious rites where it was used to keep demons away. In Judaism, incense was included in the thanksgiving offerings of oil, rain, fruits, and wine. The Lord instructed Moses to build a golden altar for burning incense, which was placed in front of the veil to the entrance of the meeting tent where the ark of the covenant was kept.
The use of incense in a Christian context is symbolic of "cleansing and purification", and its fragrance is said to suggest "Christ's robe of righteousness" that covers the sin of humankind. The smoke of burning incense is interpreted by both the Western Catholic and Eastern Christian churches as a symbol of the prayer of the faithful rising to heaven. The Psalmist expresses this idea in Psalm 141:1: "Let my prayer rise like incense before you; the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice."
In a Solemn High Mass, the incense is placed into the thurible and blessed by the celebrant. The incense used in these masses is often pure myrrh. Myrrh is a fragrant resin that is produced by trees of the Burseraceae family, which are native to the Middle East, North Africa, and India. It has been used for centuries in religious and cultural ceremonies, including in the gifts the Magi offered to the Christ Child, along with gold and frankincense.
The use of myrrh incense in a Solemn High Mass adds a sense of solemnity and mystery to the ceremony. 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 incense is carried in a thurible, a metal incense burner suspended from chains.
The thurible is usually made of silver, brass, or gold-plated metal. The incense is burned inside and then swung by the priest, deacon, or server towards what or who is being censed.
The use of incense in a Solemn High Mass adds a sense of solemnity and mystery. The smoke symbolizes the transcendence of the Mass, linking heaven and earth, and allowing worshippers to enter the presence of God. The smoke also symbolizes the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven.
