Seamus Hammond
Incense has been used in religious contexts since ancient times, with the first recorded use by the Indus Valley Civilisation in 3600 BC. In Catholic liturgies, incense is used to symbolise theological truths and is seen as a powerful liturgical gift. The smoke of incense symbolises sanctification, purification, and the prayers of the faithful. The use of incense in Catholic worship is believed to have originated in the 5th century, with the first documented history coming from the Eastern branch of the Church.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| History | The use of incense in Catholic liturgies has its roots in antiquity, with the first recorded use in Egypt around 2400 B.C. |
| It continued and adapted from Jewish traditions, as commanded by God in Sacred Scripture. | |
| Usage | Incense is used during processions, at the beginning of Mass to incense the altar, during the proclamation of the Gospel, at the offertory, and at the elevation of the Sacred Host and chalice of Precious Blood. |
| It is also used during funeral Masses to incense the coffin as a sign of honour and as a symbol of the faithful's prayers rising to God. | |
| Symbolism | The smoke of incense is believed to symbolise the sanctification and purification of the individual, connecting them to God's altar in heaven. |
| It also represents the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven, as mentioned in Psalm 141:2, the Book of Revelation, and other Biblical passages. |
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What You'll Learn
Incense as a symbol of prayer
Incense has been used in Christian liturgy since its earliest days, inspired by passages in the Bible and rooted in the earlier traditions of Judaism. In Catholicism, incense is used in worship at the celebration of the Eucharist, at solemn celebrations of the Divine Office, and at funerals, among other services.
The use of incense as a symbol of prayer is derived from Psalm 141 (140), verse 2: "Let my prayer be directed as incense in thy sight: the lifting up of my hands, as the evening sacrifice." The smoke of the burning incense symbolises the prayer of the faithful rising to heaven, as described in the Book of Revelation: "Another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, and the smoke of the incense rose with the prayers of the saints from the hand of the angel before God." (Revelation 8:3-4).
The act of burning incense is thus seen as a prayer in itself, a powerful symbol of pure and heartfelt prayer to God. The rising smoke and the lifting of hands in prayer create a poignant symbol, connecting the worshipper to God's altar in heaven and allowing them to utilise all their senses in their prayer.
In the context of Catholic Mass, the priest blesses the incense, invoking St. Michael the Archangel, and the smoke rising from the burning incense symbolises the sanctification and purification of the worshippers, making them worthy of worshipping God in heaven. This symbolism of purification is also seen in the use of incense in the ancient world, where it was believed to keep demons away.
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Incense as a symbol of purification
The use of incense as a Catholic symbol has its roots in antiquity. The practice is inspired by passages in the Bible, and its use in prayer and worship carries Christian symbolism. Incense has been employed in Christian worship since ancient times, particularly in the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Catholic Church, Orthodox Christian churches, Lutheran Churches, and some Anglican Churches.
Incense is often used as part of a purification ritual. In the Book of Revelation, incense symbolizes the prayers of the saints in heaven, with the smoke of burning incense interpreted as the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. This is also reflected in Psalm 141 (140), verse 2: "Let my prayer be directed as incense in thy sight: the lifting up of my hands, as the evening sacrifice."
The use of incense in the ancient world was common, especially in religious rites. The ancient Egyptians, Indians in the Indus Valley Civilization, and the Chinese are some of the earliest known cultures to use incense. In the Catholic tradition, incense is used to purify the coffin at funerals, bless statues and images, and connect the faithful with Christ's sacrifice.
The act of burning incense is a powerful symbol of prayer and worship. The smoke rising towards heaven is a visual representation of prayers ascending to God, creating an ambiance that connects the earthly liturgy with the heavenly worship described in the Book of Revelation. The sensory experience of incense enhances the spiritual experience, making it a valuable tool in Catholic liturgy.
The use of incense in Catholic liturgy is thus a symbol of purification, sanctification, and the connection between the earthly and the divine. It adds solemnity and mystery to the Mass, reminding participants of the transcendence of the liturgy and allowing them to enter into the presence of God through all their senses.
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Incense in the Bible
The use of incense in religious contexts has a long history, dating back to ancient times. The practice has been adopted by various religious traditions, including Christianity, where it holds symbolic significance in Catholic worship. The incorporation of incense in Catholic rituals can be traced back to its roots in Judaism, where it played a role in temple rituals.
In the Bible, incense is mentioned in both the Old Testament and the New Testament, with its usage carrying symbolic and spiritual meanings. In Exodus 30, God instructs Moses and Aaron regarding the specific times, places, and methods for burning incense as a holy act of worship. This act of burning incense is commanded to be performed perpetually before the Lord. The Tabernacle, and later the Temple, served as sacred spaces for offering incense (1/3 Kings 9:25).
The Bible also highlights the significance of the altar of incense, as mentioned in Exodus 30:1-10, where God directed Moses to construct a golden altar specifically for burning incense. This altar was strategically placed in front of the veil that concealed the entrance to the meeting tent where the ark of the covenant resided.
Incense is symbolic of prayer and the relationship between God and God's people. In Psalm 141:2, David expresses this connection, stating, "Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!" (Psalm 141:1-2). This theme is further reinforced in the Book of Revelation, where incense is depicted as a symbol of the prayers of the saints, both martyrs in heaven and those still living on earth, rising up to God (Revelation 5:8, 8:3-4).
The use of incense in the Bible is not without consequences for misuse. In Leviticus 10:1–2, we find the account of Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu, who faced severe repercussions for improper worship involving incense.
Incense continues to be used in Catholic worship during Masses, funerals, and other liturgical rites. It is employed to purify objects such as coffins and to bless statues and images. The smoke and aroma of incense create a sense of solemnity and mystery, connecting our worship on earth with the worship of heaven.
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Incense in Catholic Mass
The use of incense in Catholic Mass is rooted in the ancient world, where it was used in religious rites to keep demons away. The practice has been employed in Christian worship since antiquity, particularly in the Roman Catholic Church, and is inspired by passages in the Bible.
The first recorded use of incense was by the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilisation in 3600 BC. The Egyptians during the Fifth Dynasty (2345-2494 BC) were the first in the non-Asian world to discover its use, and it was also used in ancient China. The use of incense in the Mass or other liturgical rites cannot be dated exactly, but it is believed that Christians adapted its usage from the Jews, who used incense in their Temple rituals. The earliest mention of incense in the Bible is in Exodus 24, where Moses goes up to Mount Sinai and the glory of the Lord is described as a cloud covering the mountain.
The smoke of burning incense is interpreted by the Western Catholic and Eastern Christian churches as a symbol of prayer rising to heaven. This symbolism is seen in Psalm 141 (140), verse 2: "Let my prayer be directed as incense in thy sight: the lifting up of my hands, as the evening sacrifice". The apostle John also saw this symbolism in the Book of Revelation, where he writes about the "golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the holy ones" (5:8). Incense is also used as part of a purification ritual, to symbolise sanctification, and to create an ambiance of heaven.
During Mass, incense may be used during the entrance procession, at the beginning to incense the altar, during 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. The priest may also incense the Crucifix and the Paschal Candle. During funeral Masses, 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 usage of incense adds a sense of solemnity and mystery to the Mass, reminding worshippers of the transcendence of the Mass and linking heaven and earth.
While the use of incense is optional for most Masses, many Catholic parishes have forgotten its significance, and some priests choose not to use it in an attempt to simplify Catholic worship. However, it is still possible to find incense-free Masses in some parishes.
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Incense in other Christian denominations
The use of incense in Christian worship is a topic that has been widely discussed, with varying opinions across different denominations. While Catholicism and Orthodox Christianity incorporate incense in their services, its acceptance among Protestant churches is more varied.
Incense has a long history in Christian worship, dating back to the Old Testament. In the Bible, incense is often associated with prayer and offerings to God. For instance, in Psalm 141:2, David compares his prayers to incense, saying, "May my prayer be set before you like incense". Additionally, according to Exodus 30, God provided Moses with the composition for incense, which included ingredients such as myrrh, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense.
During the Reformation, however, some Protestant reformers, including Calvin and the Puritans, rejected the use of incense. They argued that incense was a part of the Old Testament ceremonial law and that continuing its use would be a denial of Christ's finished work. This perspective influenced many Protestant churches, and most of them do not incorporate incense in their worship today.
Nevertheless, there are Protestant denominations that continue to use incense. Anglican churches of Anglo-Catholic churchmanship, Lutheran churches of Evangelical Catholic churchmanship, and Old Catholic/Liberal Catholic churches use incense regularly. Additionally, the emergent church movement has seen a resurgence in the use of incense as an effort to return to "vintage" Christianity.
The acceptance or rejection of incense within Protestant circles is often influenced by cultural and contextual factors. For instance, some Christians associate incense with pagan or New Age practices, while others view it simply as a pleasant aroma with no negative connotations. Ultimately, for most Christians, the use of incense is a matter of conviction rather than compulsion.
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Frequently asked questions
The smoke of incense is symbolic of sanctification and purification. It also symbolises the prayers of the faithful drifting up to heaven.
The use of incense in Christianity is inspired by passages in the Bible. Incense has been used in Christian liturgy from its earliest days, continuing the Jewish tradition that came before it.
Incense is used at virtually every service in the Eastern Orthodox Church, Lutheran churches of Evangelical Catholic churchmanship, Anglican churches of Anglo-Catholic churchmanship, and Old Catholic/Liberal Catholic churches. Incense may be 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.
