Seamus Hammond
Incense has been used in religious ceremonies for thousands of years, with the first recorded use by the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilisation in 3600 BC. The practice was also adopted by the Egyptians in the Fifth Dynasty (2345-2494 BC), and the Chinese in 2000 BC. The use of incense in Catholic liturgy was likely influenced by its use in Jewish temple worship, which continued well after the establishment of Christianity. The earliest documented history of incense use in Catholic liturgy comes from the 5th century, in the rituals of the Divine Liturgies of Saint James and Saint Mark. Incense was also mentioned in a 7th-century Roman Ritual, marking its usage in the procession of a Bishop to the altar on Good Friday. Today, incense is used in the Catholic Church during Mass and other liturgical services to symbolise sanctification and purification, as well as to symbolise the prayers of the faithful drifting up to heaven.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First use of incense | 2400 B.C. in Egypt |
| First use of incense in Catholic worship | 5th century |
| Incense use in the Bible | Mentioned 170 times |
| Incense use in the Talmud | Noted |
| Incense use in the Old Testament | Mentioned in Exodus 30:34-38 |
| Incense use in the New Testament | Mentioned in Revelation |
| Purpose of incense | Purification, sanctification, devotion, blessing, prayer |
| Incense use in Catholic Mass | Optional |
| Incense use in other Catholic services | Funerals, graveside services, consecration of churches, items, and holy oils |
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What You'll Learn
Incense in Catholic Mass
Incense has been used in religious ceremonies for thousands of years, with the first recorded use by the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilisation in 3600 BC. The ancient Egyptians also used incense in religious rituals, as did the Chinese, Hindus, and Jews.
The use of incense in Catholic Mass was likely influenced by its use 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 Saints James and Mark from the 5th century mentioning its use. In the 7th century Ordo Romanus VIII of Saint Amand, the use of incense during the procession of a bishop to the altar on Good Friday is also mentioned.
Over time, the use of incense in Catholic Mass became more widespread, with its connection to the Book of Revelation becoming more apparent. The apostle John saw that the offering of incense was a symbol of prayer: "Let my prayer come like incense before you; the lifting up of my hands, like the evening sacrifice" (Psalm 141). Incense is also mentioned in the Bible 170 times.
In Catholic Mass, incense is used to symbolise sanctification and purification, as well as to symbolise the prayers of the faithful drifting up to heaven. It is often used during the entrance procession, at the beginning of Mass to incense the altar, at the procession and proclamation of the Gospel, at the offertory to incense the offerings, altar, priest and people, and at the elevation of the Sacred Host and chalice of Precious Blood after the consecration. 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.
The use of incense in Catholic Mass is not mandatory, and some priests choose not to use it. However, it adds a sense of solemnity and mystery to the Mass, engaging the senses of sight, sound, smell, and touch.
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Incense in the Bible
The use of incense in religious rituals is believed to have originated in ancient times, with the first recorded use traced back to the Indus Valley Civilisation in 3600 BC. Egyptians during the Fifth Dynasty (2345-2494 BC) were the first non-Asian civilisation to use incense, and its use was also prevalent in ancient China, India, and various parts of Asia.
Incense has been a part of Christian worship since the early Church, with references to its use found in the Bible. In the Old Testament, God instructed Moses on how to build the Tabernacle, which included an altar of incense (Exodus 30). The Book of Exodus describes God's command to burn incense perpetually as a holy act of worship (Exodus 30:1-10). When the Tabernacle was replaced by the Temple, incense continued to be offered there (1/3 Kings 9:25).
The Bible also mentions the use of incense in the New Testament. For example, in Luke's Gospel, Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, was serving as a high priest and offering incense in the Temple when the birth of his son was announced (Luke 1). The Magi also offered incense to the newborn Christ, symbolising his divinity (Matthew 2:11).
Incense is also mentioned in the Book of Revelation, where it is described as being used in heavenly worship (Revelation 5:8, 8:3-4). The apostle John's vision in Revelation portrays incense as carrying the prayers of the saints, both martyrs in heaven and those on earth, up to God. This idea is further reinforced in Psalm 141:2, where David writes, "Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!".
In Catholic worship, incense is used during Mass and other liturgical rites. Its use adds solemnity and mystery to the Mass, and it is believed to symbolise purification and sanctification. The smoke of the incense, along with the prayers of the faithful, is thought to ascend to God, creating an ambiance reminiscent of heaven.
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Incense in ancient societies
The use of incense in religious contexts has a long history, with the practice having evolved over time, adapting to new influences while retaining its historical roots. The first recorded use of incense was by the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilisation around 3600 BC. The ancient Egyptians were the first in the non-Asian world to use incense, with records dating back to the Fifth Dynasty (2345-2494 BC). Incense was prominent in Egyptian religious rituals, used to counteract unpleasant odours, drive away demons, manifest the presence of gods, and gratify them with its aroma. Resin balls were found in many prehistoric Egyptian tombs, highlighting the significance of incense in their funerary practices.
Incense was also employed in ancient China, where it played a crucial role in religious ceremonies and festivals to honour ancestors and household gods. The use of incense in China is mentioned in the writings of poet Yu Jianwu (487–551), who describes how incense was used to tell the time of night. The introduction of Buddhism to China further solidified the use of incense, with monks utilising incense sticks in their purification rites.
In Japan, incense was incorporated into Shinto rituals, with sticks of incense placed horizontally into censers on top of the ash. The use of incense in Japan is believed to have been introduced by Korean Buddhist monks in the 6th century.
The Babylonians are also noted for their extensive use of incense while offering prayers to divine oracles. From there, the practice spread to Greece and Rome, where fragrant woods were burned as offerings and for protection against demons.
In ancient Israelite liturgy, incense was a mixture of frankincense, storax, onycha, galbanum, and salt, used in the morning and evening rituals within the tabernacle.
The use of incense in Christian worship appears to have been introduced in the early Church, with the first mention of its use in the liturgies of Saints James and Mark, dating back to the fifth century. Incense was also mentioned in a Roman Ritual of the seventh century, marking its use in the procession of a Bishop to the altar and on Good Friday.
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Incense in other Christian denominations
Incense is used in Christian worship during the celebration of the Eucharist, solemn celebrations of the Divine Office, funerals, and the consecration of a church or altar, among other services. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, Lutheran churches of Evangelical Catholic churchmanship, Anglican churches of Anglo-Catholic churchmanship, and Old Catholic/Liberal Catholic churches, incense is used at almost every service.
Incense is also used in Roman Catholic tradition and some Lutheran churches. In the liturgies of Saints James and Mark, which in their present form originate in the fifth century, the use of incense is mentioned. A Roman Ritual of the seventh century mentions its use in the procession of a Bishop to the altar and on Good Friday. Incense was also used at the Benedictus and Magnificat during Lauds and Vespers in the 13th century and for the exposition and benediction of the Blessed Sacrament in the 14th century.
The use of incense in Christian worship was abandoned to avoid confusion among the faithful and to present a clear witness, as incense offerings were associated with paganism. However, incense in worship made a comeback in the fifth century once Christianity was firmly established. Its use increased in the East and the West, and its connection with the Book of Revelation became more apparent.
Today, some branches of Protestants may have an issue with the use of incense due to its association with paganism and the New Age, hippies, and the occult. However, this may be influenced by personal moral revulsions and disgust sensitivity rather than Christianity itself. Others view the use of incense positively, as it is mentioned in the Bible and was offered to Christ as a gift when he was born.
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Incense in other religions
The use of incense in religious ceremonies is believed to have originated in ancient times, with the first recorded use by the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilization around 3600 BC. Egyptians during the Fifth Dynasty (2345-2494 BC) were the first non-Asian civilization to use incense, which was already being used by Hindus for centuries. The use of incense in religious rituals was further developed in China and spread to other Asian countries like Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines.
Incense has played an important role in East Asian Buddhist ceremonies and Chinese Taoist and Japanese Shinto rites. In these traditions, incense is burned to purify the surroundings and invite various spiritual entities, such as buddhas, bodhisattvas, gods, and demons. Worshippers in Taoist and Buddhist temples light and burn incense sticks, waving them above their heads while bowing to statues or plaques of deities or ancestors. The sticks of incense are then placed into individual censers, either vertically or horizontally, depending on the specific tradition.
In Hinduism, incense is used in almost all pujas, prayers, and other forms of worship. It is offered to God in various deity forms, such as Krishna and Rama, by rotating the sticks thrice in a clockwise direction. This practice is based on the belief expressed in the Bhagavad Gita that "Krishna accepts the offering made to Him with love."
Incense also holds significance in the Jewish faith. In the Old Testament, God instructed Moses to build an altar of incense that would stand next to the altar of sacrifice. The Book of Exodus describes the altar of incense as part of the traveling temple of God, and the Book of Revelation mentions an angel holding a censer of incense, connecting the use of incense to the worship of heaven.
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Frequently asked questions
The exact date of when the Catholic Church started using incense is unknown. However, the first recorded use of incense was in Egypt around 2400 BC.
Incense is used to symbolise sanctification and purification. It also symbolises the prayers of the faithful drifting up to heaven.
The use of incense is optional for most Catholic Masses. However, it is used in various solemn processions, graveside services, and the blessing of dedications of new churches, among other rituals.
The type of incense used in Catholic Mass can vary, but common ingredients include frankincense, benzoin, myrrh, styrax, and copal.
The origin of incense use in religious rituals dates back to ancient times, with the first recorded use by the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilisation in 3600 BC. Incense was also used in ancient China and has been a part of Buddhist, Shinto, and Taoist ceremonies.
