Anisha Riggs
Incense is used by priests during Mass to symbolise the sanctification and purification of the sacred space. The smoke and smell of incense are believed to represent the transcendence of the Mass, linking Heaven and Earth, and allowing the congregation to enter the presence of God. The use of incense in Catholic Mass is believed to have originated from the Bible, where God commanded Aaron, Israel's first high priest, to burn incense in the Temple every morning and night.
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What You'll Learn
Incense symbolises the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven
The use of incense during Mass is believed to have been adapted from Jewish Temple rituals. In Exodus, God commanded Aaron, Israel's first high priest, to create a cloud of incense within their sacred space every morning and night. The smoke and smell of incense remind us of the transcendence of Mass, linking heaven and earth, and allowing us to enter the presence of God.
The Book of Revelation also describes the heavenly worship, where an angel brings a censer of incense and deposits it on the altar, along with the prayers of God's holy ones. This imagery of incense and smoke is consistent with the description of heaven in Scripture, where it is always fuming with smoke or incense. Thus, the use of incense during Mass serves as a symbolic representation of prayers rising to heaven and being received by God.
Furthermore, the act of incensing sanctifies the altar, preparing it for the Sacrifice of the Mass and honouring it as the holiest location inside any Catholic Church. The altar is incensed with single swings of the thurible, and the priest may also incense the crucifix, the paschal candle, and the offerings during the Mass.
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It adds solemnity and mystery to the Mass
The use of incense during Mass adds a sense of solemnity and mystery to the ceremony. The visual imagery of the smoke and the smell remind us of the transcendence of the Mass, linking heaven with earth, and allow us to enter into the presence of God.
The smoke from the incense represents our prayers rising up to heaven and being received by God. This idea is mentioned in the Bible, where the Psalmist prays, "Let my prayer come like incense before you; the lifting up of my hands, like the evening sacrifice" (Psalm 141). The Book of Revelation also describes heavenly worship with angels holding "golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints" (Revelation 5:8).
Incense is also used to bless and sanctify the altar, preparing it for the sacrifice and honoring it as the holiest location inside any Catholic Church. The altar is where the consecration of bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ takes place, known as The Eucharist.
Additionally, the use of incense during Mass can be traced back thousands of years to the time of Moses and ancient Israel. In the Bible, God commanded Aaron, Israel's first high priest, to create a cloud of incense within their sacred space every morning and night (Exodus 30:7-8). This was to replicate God's mighty presence on Mount Sinai (Exodus 24), where He appeared as a cloud of smoke and fire.
The use of incense thus adds solemnity and mystery to the Mass by evoking a sense of awe and respect for God's presence, linking the earthly ceremony to the heavenly liturgy described in Scripture.
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Incense is used to bless and sanctify the altar
The use of incense during Mass is steeped in history and symbolism. Incense is used to bless and sanctify the altar, which is the holiest location inside any Catholic Church. The altar is where the consecration of bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ takes place, and so it is honoured as the place of sacrifice.
The act of incensing the altar is done to sanctify it and prepare it for the sacrifice. The priest will use a thurible, swinging it in a particular way to bless the altar. If the altar is freestanding, the priest will walk around it, and if not, they will walk first to the right and then to the left. The altar is also blessed with the Sign of the Cross.
The smoke from the incense is symbolic and is believed to represent the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. This is referenced in Psalm 141, "Let my prayer come like incense before you; the lifting up of my hands, like the evening sacrifice". The smoke and smell of incense add a sense of solemnity and mystery to the Mass, linking heaven and earth, and allowing the congregation to enter into the presence of God.
The use of incense in the Catholic Church is also a continuation of the Israelite liturgy. In Exodus, God commanded Aaron, Israel's first high priest, to burn incense within their sacred space every morning and night. The burning of incense is also mentioned in the Old Testament, recalling Zachary/Zachariah offering incense in the Temple.
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It has been used in Jewish and Christian rituals for thousands of years
The use of incense during Mass is a tradition that dates back thousands of years, with roots in both Jewish and Christian rituals. According to the Bible, God commanded Aaron, Israel's first high priest, to burn incense every morning and evening (Exodus 30:7-8). This practice was likely adapted by early Christians for their own liturgical rites, as they viewed Catholicism as a continuation of the Israelite liturgy.
In the Old Testament, incense was used in Temple rituals by the Jews, and it is mentioned in the liturgies of Saints James and Mark, which date back to the 5th century. The use of incense in Christian rituals is also mentioned in the 7th century, during the procession of a Bishop to the altar and on Good Friday. Over time, the use of incense became more prevalent in various Christian liturgical practices, including during the Mass.
The symbolic value of incense smoke is believed to represent purification and sanctification. The smoke is thought to symbolise the prayers of the faithful rising up to heaven, as mentioned in Psalm 141: "Let my prayer come like incense before you; the lifting up of my hands, like the evening sacrifice." The use of incense adds a sense of solemnity and mystery to the Mass, creating a link between heaven and earth and allowing worshippers to enter into the presence of God.
In practical terms, incense is used during Mass to incense the altar, the offerings, the priest, and the people. The altar is the holiest location inside any Catholic Church, and the incense sanctifies it, preparing it for the Sacrifice of the Mass, which is the consecration of bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ (The Eucharist). Additionally, 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 rising to God.
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Incense is believed to ward off demons
The use of incense during Mass is believed to ward off demons. In ancient times, incense was used to drive away demons and evil spirits. This belief is rooted in the biblical story of Moses on Mount Sinai, where God appeared as a cloud of smoke and fire, signifying his mighty presence.
The Book of Exodus in the Bible mentions that God commanded Aaron, Israel's first high priest, to burn incense every morning and evening within their sacred space. This practice was adapted by the early Christians, who believed that the use of incense during their liturgies symbolised the presence of God and heaven on earth.
The smoke and aroma of incense during Mass create a sense of transcendence, linking heaven and earth. It serves as a visual reminder of God's presence and power, replicating the clouds and fire of Mount Sinai. The act of burning incense symbolises the purification and sanctification of the altar, preparing it for the Sacrifice of the Mass, which is the consecration of bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ.
Additionally, the smoke of incense represents the prayers of the faithful rising up to heaven, as mentioned in Psalm 141: "Let my prayer come like incense before you; the lifting up of my hands, like the evening sacrifice." The Book of Revelation also describes heavenly worship with angels holding bowls of incense, representing the prayers of the saints. Thus, the use of incense during Mass is believed to ward off evil spirits and create a sacred space where prayers can ascend to God.
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Frequently asked questions
The use of incense during mass is believed to have been commanded by God in Exodus. It is thought to represent prayers rising to heaven and is used to bless and sanctify things.
The smoke from the incense symbolises the transcendence of the Mass, linking heaven and earth, and allowing people to enter the presence of God.
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.
