Seamus Hammond
Incense has been used in religious worship for thousands of years, including in the Catholic Church. The burning of incense is noted in the Talmud and the Bible, and its use in Jewish temple worship influenced the Catholic Church's incorporation of incense in its liturgical celebrations. The sweet fragrance of incense, typically frankincense and myrrh, creates an atmosphere of tranquillity and sacredness, enhancing the worship experience and promoting a sense of connection with the divine. The Catholic Church uses incense during various parts of its services, such as the entrance procession, Gospel reading, offertory, elevation of the Eucharist, benedictions, and funerals. Each church or monastery may have its own unique blend of incense, adding a personal touch to their spiritual atmosphere.
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What You'll Learn
Incense is symbolic of prayer and purification
Incense has been used in Christian liturgy since its earliest days, continuing the Jewish tradition that came before it. The burning of incense is symbolic of prayer and purification in the Catholic Church.
The smoke from burning incense is interpreted by the Western Catholic and Eastern Christian churches as a symbol of the prayers of the faithful 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." Incense is also used as a part of purification rituals. In the Catholic Church, incense is used to bless and pray for the purification of the bread and wine, as well as the spiritual gifts placed on the altar.
The use of incense adds a sense of solemnity and mystery to the Mass. 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. Incense also creates an atmosphere of tranquility, serenity, and sacredness, enhancing the worship experience and promoting a sense of connection with the divine.
Each church or monastery may have its own unique blend of incense, adding a personal touch to their spiritual atmosphere. Incense is usually burned in a container called a thurible or censer, which is typically a metal container suspended on chains, allowing it to be swung to distribute the fragrant smoke.
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Incense is used at various times during Mass
Incense has been used in religious rituals since ancient times, with the first recorded use by the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilisation in 3600 BC. It is widely used in various religious traditions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Shintoism, and Christianity.
In the Catholic Church, incense is employed at various times during Mass to add solemnity and mystery to the proceedings. Its use is rooted in the Bible and carries symbolic meaning. Here are some of the specific instances when incense is used during Mass:
Entrance Procession
Incense may be used during the entrance procession at the beginning of Mass. It symbolises the purification and sanctification of the altar and the sanctuary area. The smoke rising from the incense represents the prayers of the faithful ascending to heaven.
Gospel Reading
During the procession and proclamation of the Gospel, incense is used to honour and bless the Gospel reading. This practice is mentioned in the liturgies of Saints James and Mark, which date back to the fifth century.
Offertory
Incense is employed at the Offertory to bless the offerings, altar, priest, and congregation. This practice is believed to have originated in the 11th century.
Elevation of the Eucharist
During the consecration, incense is used to honour the Sacred Host and chalice of Precious Blood. This ritual symbolises the transcendence of the Mass, linking heaven and earth, and allowing the congregation to enter into the presence of God.
Funerals
Incense is commonly used 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 soul.
It is worth noting that the specific type of incense used in Catholic churches may vary, and each church or monastery might have its own unique blend, creating a distinct spiritual atmosphere.
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The use of incense in worship predates Christianity
Incense holds a significant role in religious celebrations and rituals in East Asian Buddhist ceremonies, Chinese Taoist shrines, and Japanese Shinto shrines. In Hinduism, incense is offered to God as a form of worship, with the practice still prevalent in modern-day India and among Hindus worldwide. The use of incense in the Jewish temple worship also influenced its incorporation into Catholic liturgical celebrations.
The Bible mentions incense 170 times, and the practice is rooted in the earlier traditions of Judaism during the time of the Second Jewish Temple. The smoke from burning incense is interpreted by Western Catholic and Eastern Christian churches as a symbol of the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. This symbolism is reflected in Psalm 141 (140), verse 2: "Let my prayer be directed as incense in thy sight: the lifting up of my hand, as the evening sacrifice."
The use of incense in Christian worship can be traced back to the early Church, with the first documented history found in the Eastern branch's rituals of the Divine Liturgies of Saint James and Saint Mark in the 5th century. In the Western Church, the Ordo Romanus VIII of Saint Amand from the 7th century mentions the use of incense during a bishop's procession to the altar on Good Friday.
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Incense is used in exorcisms and house blessings
Incense has been used in the Catholic Church for centuries, adding a layer of solemnity to various rituals and ceremonies. The use of incense is deeply rooted in ancient Catholic tradition and is believed to have symbolic meaning. While it is commonly used during benedictions, funerals, and other special services, some sources also mention its use in exorcisms and house blessings.
Incense in Exorcisms
According to Catholic beliefs, the burning of blessed incense in the homes of those believed to be possessed is said to keep demons away. This practice is mentioned in the Book of Tobit, where the angel Raphael instructs Tobias to burn incense to drive away a demon. Similarly, Rabbi Keduri is known to have burned incense, not to inhale it, but to keep demons at bay.
Italian Roman Catholic priest and exorcist Gabriel Amorth, in his books "An Exorcist Tells His Story" and "An Exorcist: More Stories," mentions the use of sacramentals such as holy water, blessed oil, exorcised salt, blessed medals, and burning blessed incense outside the actual exorcism rite. These practices are believed to aid in the liberation of the possessed and provide protection from demonic influence.
Incense in House Blessings
In addition to its use in exorcisms, incense is also used in house blessings within the Catholic tradition. The sweet scent of burning incense is believed to create an atmosphere of tranquility, serenity, and sacredness, connecting the worship on earth with the worship of heaven. The smoke rising from the incense symbolizes the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven, as mentioned in the Book of Revelation:
> "Each of the elders held a harp and gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the holy ones" (Revelation 5:8).
Furthermore, the use of incense is associated with the act of purification and sanctification. By incensing people and objects, they are consecrated and made holy through the power of prayer. This practice is not limited to churches but can also be extended to homes, especially as a way to commemorate special occasions or to create a sacred space.
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Incense is available to purchase online
Incense has been an important part of Christian liturgy and worship for centuries. In the Catholic Church, incense is used to add an extra layer of solemnity to various proceedings, such as the entrance procession, the Gospel reading, and the elevation of the Eucharist. The ritual use of incense symbolizes the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven, with the smoke also representing purification and sanctification.
You can purchase Catholic incense online from various websites specializing in religious supplies. These websites offer a variety of church incenses and burners, allowing you to create a spiritual atmosphere in your own home. One such website is The Catholic Company, which provides incense supplies, including scented incense rocks, charcoal, and different styles of censors and thuribles.
Another popular option is Etsy, where you can find a wide range of Catholic incense and incense burners. Many of the sellers on Etsy offer free shipping, and you can also find handmade and personalized incense options. Some of the bestselling Catholic incense products on Etsy include lavender-scented incense made by monks and brass incense burners with intricate scrollwork designs.
In addition to online options, you can also check with your local church to inquire about their preferred suppliers. This can be a great way to ensure you're getting authentic and high-quality church incense.
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Frequently asked questions
The incense used in Catholic churches is called Masala incense sticks.
The incense symbolizes prayer and is believed to have a psychological and spiritual impact on the worship experience. It is also used as protection against evil.
The incense has a sweet fragrance of frankincense and myrrh.
You can buy Catholic church incense from Catholic supply stores or online from websites specializing in religious supplies.
