Antonio Mcgowan
Incense has been used in Christian liturgy since its earliest days, continuing the Jewish tradition that came before it. In Catholic liturgy, everything symbolizes a theological truth. The smoke of incense is symbolic of sanctification and
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Symbolism, sanctification, purification, prayer, worship |
| Religious Origins | Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, Shinto, Islamic |
| Religious Denominations | Catholic, Orthodox Christian, Lutheran, Anglican, Methodist, Taoist, Gnostic |
| Religious Figures | Angels, Saints, Moses, Aaron, Jesus, God, Holy Spirit |
| Religious Texts | Bible, Old Testament, New Testament, Exodus, Psalms, Revelation, Apocalyptic Visions, Hadith |
| Religious Objects | Censer, Thurible, Altar, Tabernacle, Chalice, Icons, Candles |
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What You'll Learn
Incense is symbolic of sanctification and purification
The use of incense in Catholic liturgy is symbolic and theological in nature. It is not "just for show". The smoke from the incense is symbolic of sanctification and purification. It also symbolizes the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven, as described 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 used in several religious events, such as the Tahfidh graduation ceremony and the regular rite of purifying and cleansing the Ka'aba in Makkah. It is also used to perfume the air and uplift the souls of pilgrims. In Catholic liturgy, the smoke from the incense is meant to symbolize sanctification and purification. Incense is also used to purify the coffin at funerals and to bless statues and images.
The use of incense in Christian liturgy has its origins in antiquity. It was first used by the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilization in 3600 BC. The Egyptians during the Fifth Dynasty (2345-2494 BC) were the first in the non-Asian world to discover the use of incense, which was used by Hindus for centuries by the time of the 5th Dynasty. The use of incense in Christian worship is inspired by passages in the Bible. Incense is mentioned in the Book of Exodus, where God gives instructions on how the incense should be made through a "holy recipe".
The use of incense in Christian worship continued the Jewish tradition that came before it—a tradition that was commanded by God Himself and recorded in Sacred Scripture. For example, God commanded Moses to make 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 in Christian worship was also influenced by the practice of offering incense to pagan gods. In the early centuries of Church writings, the offering of incense is usually negative, as it was often used as a way to compromise the faith of Christians. However, the practice of using incense in Christian worship was later adopted to avoid confusion among the faithful and to present a clear witness.
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Incense connects worship on earth with worship in heaven
Incense has been used in Christian liturgy from its earliest days, continuing the Jewish tradition that came before it—a tradition that was commanded by God Himself and recorded in Sacred Scripture. The use of incense in Christian worship is inspired by passages in the Bible; its use in prayer and worship carries with it a Christian symbolism. Incense 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 worship made a comeback in the fifth century once Christianity was firmly established. Its use increased in the East and the West so that its use as a symbol of prayer and as a means of sanctifying and purifying became universal. As the use of incense increased, its connection with the Book of Revelation was seen more clearly. The apostle John saw that the offering of incense was a beautiful symbol of prayer.
The smoke of incense is symbolic of sanctification and purification. It also symbolizes the prayers of the faithful. It is an outward sign of spiritual realities, which is why it has its place in Christian liturgy. Incense may be used in Christian worship at the celebration of the Eucharist, at solemn celebrations of the Divine Office, in particular at Solemn Vespers, at Solemn Evensong, at funerals, benediction and exposition of the Eucharist, the consecration of a church or altar, and at other services.
The offering of incense at Mass is, therefore, an important part of Catholic worship. It is at that moment that our worship on earth becomes connected with the worship of heaven. Also, the prophecy of Malachi is fulfilled. He spoke the Lord’s words, saying, “From the rising of the sun to its setting, / my name is great among the nations; / Incense offerings are made to my name everywhere, / and a pure offering.”
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Incense is used in prayer and worship
The use of incense in Christian worship can be traced back to its earliest days, continuing the Jewish tradition that came before it. God commanded Moses to make 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
Incense was also used in the Jewish Temple, as described 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.
In the New Testament, the use of incense is mentioned in the Book of Revelation, which describes the heavenly worship:
> 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 in front of the throne, together with the prayers of all God’s holy ones. From the angel’s hand, the smoke of the incense went up before God, and with it the prayers of God’s people.
The use of incense in Christian worship is also symbolic of "cleansing and purification", as well as its fragrance suggesting "Christ’s robe of righteousness" that covers the sin of humankind.
Incense is used in Christian liturgy, including the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Assyrian Church of the East, Oriental Orthodox, Lutheran, and Old Catholic denominations, as well as in some Anglican churches.
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Incense is used in ritual cleansing
The use of incense in Catholic churches is rooted in the traditions of Judaism. The burning of incense is interpreted as a symbol of the prayer of the faithful rising to heaven. In Psalm 141 (140), verse 2, it is written:
> "Let my prayer be directed as incense in thy sight: the lifting up of my hands, as the evening sacrifice."
> "Take these aromatic substances: storax, onycha and galbanum, these and pure frankincense in equal parts; and blend them into incense. This fragrant powder, expertly prepared, is to be salted and so kept pure and sacred. Grind some of it into fine dust and put this before the covenant in the tent of meeting where I will meet with you. This incense shall be treated as most sacred by you." (Exodus 30:34-36)
Frankincense, mentioned frequently in the Bible, is known for its antiseptic and disinfectant properties. It was one of the gifts brought by the Three Kings to Baby Jesus, recognising his roles as priest, prophet, and king.
In Catholic liturgy, the smoke of incense symbolises sanctification and purification. It also symbolises the prayers of the faithful, connecting worship on earth with worship in heaven. The use of incense adds a sense of solemnity and mystery to the Mass.
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Incense adds solemnity and mystery to Mass
The use of incense during Mass is rooted in the traditions of Judaism during the time of the Second Jewish Temple. In Jewish tradition, God commanded Moses to make an altar of incense for worship in the Tabernacle. The smoke of burning incense is interpreted as a symbol of prayer rising to heaven.
The use of incense in Christian liturgy has its origins in antiquity. It was first used by Christians in the fifth century, and its use increased in the East and the West. The smoke of incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand. The servers at Catholic Mass kneel before the altar during the Sanctus — when the faithful sing with the angels, “Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth are full of your glory.” As they do so they echo the angels in heaven. Then the server swings the incense as the priest offers up the Lamb of God on the altar. At that point in the Mass heaven’s doors are opened, earth and heaven are met, and we get a glimpse of glory.
The use of incense adds solemnity and mystery to Mass. 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 into the presence of God. The incense also symbolizes sanctification and purification, as well as the prayers of the faithful.
The use of incense during Mass is not mandatory. However, it 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.
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Frequently asked questions
Incense is used in old Catholic churches to symbolise the sanctification and purification of the sacred space, making it a worthy place for the worship of God. The smoke of the incense is also symbolic of the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven.
The use of incense in Catholic churches is rooted in the traditions of Judaism dating back to the time of the Second Jewish Temple. It was also used by the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilisation in 3600 BC and by the Egyptians during the Fifth Dynasty (2345-2494 BC).
In the Book of Revelation, an angel with a censer of incense is described as collecting the prayers of the saints which infuse upwards towards the altar of God. The incense adds a sense of solemnity and mystery to the Mass, connecting the worship on earth with the worship in heaven.
Aside from the theological and scriptural reasons, incense is also used in Catholic churches for its fragrance which is said to suggest "Christ's robe of righteousness" that covers the sin of humankind. Incense is also used to purify the coffin at funerals and to bless statues and images.
