Katrina Rosales
Incense has been used in religious ceremonies for thousands of years, dating back to the ancient world, where it was used to keep demons away. In Catholic liturgy, incense is used to bless and sanctify the altar, honouring it as the holiest location in the church. The smoke from the incense is thought to symbolise the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven and creates an atmosphere of solemnity and beauty.
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What You'll Learn
Incense is used to bless and sanctify the altar
Incense is used by Catholic priests to bless and sanctify the altar. The use of incense in Catholic liturgy has been done for thousands of years, with the practice commanded by God in the Book of Exodus in the Bible. In the Old Testament, God instructed Moses to build a golden altar for burning incense, which was to be placed beside the altar of sacrifice. This is where the practice of using incense around the altar originates.
The altar is the holiest location inside any Catholic Church, and the burning of incense is a prayer in itself. The smoke from the incense symbolises the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven, and it creates the ambiance of heaven. The incense also sanctifies the altar, preparing it for the sacrifice and honouring it as the place of sacrifice.
The use of incense in Catholic liturgy is also a continuation of the Israelite liturgy, with the practice also having roots in ancient Egypt, China, India, and various other cultures and religions. The sweet-smelling smoke helps to support an atmosphere of solemnity and beauty, befitting the worship of God.
Incense is also used to bless and pray for the purification of the bread and wine placed on the altar, as well as the spiritual gifts offered by the congregation. The smoke from the incense is believed to drive away demons and appease the gods, granting protection and prosperity.
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It symbolises the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven
The use of incense by Catholic priests around the altar is steeped in history and symbolism. Its use in Catholic liturgy has its origins in antiquity, with the first recorded use of incense in Egypt around 2400 BC, 400 years before the time of Abraham. It was also used in ancient China and has played a significant role in Buddhist, Shinto, Taoist, and Hindu ceremonies.
The practice of burning incense in Catholic liturgy is believed to have been commanded by God in the Book of Exodus. In the Old Testament, God instructed Moses to build an altar of incense for worship in the Tabernacle:
> "You shall make an altar to burn incense upon; of acacia wood shall you make it . . . And Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it; every morning when he dresses the lamps he shall burn it, and when Aaron sets up the lamps in the evening, he shall burn it, a perpetual incense before the Lord throughout your generations." (Exodus 30:1-10)
The use of incense by Catholic priests around the altar symbolises the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. This symbolism is reflected in the Psalmist's prayer: "Let my prayer come like incense before you; the lifting up of my hands, like the evening sacrifice" (Psalm 141). The smoke of the incense represents the prayers of the faithful drifting up to heaven, connecting the worship on earth with the worship of heaven.
The incense also serves as a prayer in itself, an action that becomes more present through the visual and sensory experience it creates. The sweet fragrance and rising smoke create an ambiance of solemnity and beauty, reflecting the highest prayer the Church offers to God: the True Worship of God the Father as offered by Christ on His Cross.
Additionally, the use of incense around the altar sanctifies and purifies the space, preparing it for the Sacrifice of the Mass, which includes the consecration of bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ, known as the Eucharist. The altar is considered the holiest location inside any Catholic Church, and the incense honours it as the place of sacrifice.
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It is used to bless and purify the bread and wine
The use of incense in Catholic liturgy has its roots in antiquity, with the first recorded use of incense for worship traced back to Egypt around 2400 BC. The practice has been adopted by various religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Shintoism, Taoism, and Christianity.
In Catholicism, the use of incense during Mass is steeped in symbolism and holds significant theological meaning. Incense is used to bless and purify the bread and wine, which are consecrated into the body and blood of Christ during the Eucharist. This act of incensing sanctifies the altar, preparing it for the sacrifice and honouring it as the holiest location inside any Catholic Church.
The sweet-smelling smoke rising towards the holy book and the altar symbolises the prayers of the faithful drifting up to heaven. This belief is reflected in the Book of Revelation, where an angel stands at the altar of incense, collecting the prayers of the saints with the smoke. The incense, therefore, serves as a tangible representation of the prayers rising to God, purifying the worship and allowing the Holy Spirit to work in the congregation.
Additionally, the use of incense creates an atmosphere of solemnity and beauty, befitting the worship of God and the sacrifice of Christ. It adds a sense of mystery to the Mass, linking heaven and earth, and allowing the congregation to enter into the presence of God.
The practice of using incense also has its basis in the Bible. In the Book of Exodus, God commands Moses to build an altar of incense for worship in the Tabernacle. This altar was to be placed beside the altar of sacrifice, signifying the importance of incense in religious rituals.
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Incense creates an atmosphere of solemnity and beauty
Incense is used by Catholic priests during Mass and other liturgical services. The use of incense in Catholic liturgy is believed to have been commanded by God in the Book of Exodus, where God instructs Moses to build an altar of incense to stand beside the altar of sacrifice. The use of incense in Catholic liturgy is also believed to be a continuation of the Israelite liturgy.
The use of incense creates an atmosphere of solemnity and beauty, befitting the greatest gift given by Christ to His Church and the highest prayer the Church offers to God. The sweet fragrance of the incense smoke and its visual imagery evoke a sense of transcendence, linking heaven and earth, and allowing the faithful to enter into the presence of God.
The smoke from the incense symbolizes the sanctification and purification of the altar, the priest, and the congregation. It also represents the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven, connecting their worship to that of the angels in heaven. Incense is believed to drive away evil spirits and please the gods, granting protection and prosperity to the worshippers.
The use of incense in Catholic liturgy is not just a tradition but also holds theological significance. It is believed to bless and honor the Word of God and prepare the altar for the Sacrifice of the Mass, which is the consecration of bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ. The incense used during Mass is pure myrrh, which was used to anoint Jesus' body, further emphasizing its role in purification and sanctification.
The burning of incense is considered a prayer in itself, engaging the senses and enhancing the worship experience. The sweet fragrance of incense, along with its visual and sensory appeal, adds solemnity and beauty to the Mass, making it a powerful liturgical tool that elevates the worship ceremony.
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It is a continuation of the Israelite liturgy
The use of incense in Catholic liturgy is a continuation of the Israelite liturgy. The practice of burning incense in religious rituals has been prevalent since ancient times, with the first recorded use dating back to 3600 BC in the Indus Valley Civilization. It was also used in ancient China and has played a significant role in Buddhist, Shinto, Taoist, and Hindu ceremonies.
In the Catholic tradition, the use of incense was commanded by God in the Book of Exodus. In the Old Testament, God instructed Moses to build an altar of incense for worship in the Tabernacle. This altar was to be placed beside the altar of sacrifice. The Book of Exodus states: "You shall make an altar to burn incense upon; of acacia wood shall you make it . . . And Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it; every morning when he dresses the lamps, he shall burn it, and when Aaron sets up the lamps in the evening, he shall burn it, a perpetual incense before the Lord throughout your generations." (Exodus 30:1-10).
The use of incense in Catholic liturgy is a continuation of this tradition. During Mass, priests burn incense around the altar as a form of prayer and blessing. The smoke rising towards the altar symbolizes the prayers of the faithful drifting up to heaven. It also represents the sanctification and purification of the altar, preparing it for the Sacrifice of the Mass, which includes the consecration of bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ, known as the Eucharist.
Additionally, the use of incense creates a solemn and mysterious atmosphere during Mass. The visual imagery of the smoke and the fragrance of the incense remind Catholics of the transcendence of the Mass, linking heaven and earth. The incense connects the worship on earth with the worship of heaven, as described in the Book of Revelation: "Another angel came in holding a censer of gold. He took his place at the altar of incense and was given large amounts of incense to deposit on the altar of gold [...] and the smoke of the incense went up before God, and with it the prayers of God’s people." (Revelation 8:3-4).
The practice of burning incense in Catholic liturgy, therefore, serves as a continuation of the Israelite liturgy commanded by God in the Book of Exodus, with the incense representing prayer, sanctification, and the connection between heaven and earth.
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Frequently asked questions
The use of incense around the altar by Catholic priests is a tradition that has been commanded by God in the Book of Exodus in the Bible. It is used to bless and sanctify the altar, preparing it for the sacrifice and honouring it as the place of sacrifice.
The smoke from the incense symbolises sanctification and purification. It also symbolises the prayers of the faithful drifting up to heaven.
Incense is made of aromatics like frankincense, benzoin, myrrh, styrax, copal and other aromatics.
Incense is used during the entrance procession, at the beginning of Mass, at the procession and proclamation of the Gospel, at the offertory, and at the elevation of the Sacred Host and chalice of Precious Blood after the consecration.
The use of incense has been recorded in various ancient civilisations, including Egypt, China, India, Korea, Japan, and several Southeast Asian countries. The first recorded use of incense was in India in the Indus Valley Civilisation around 3600 BC.
