Antonio Mcgowan
The use of incense by priests during Catholic Mass is a tradition that dates back millennia. Priests wave incense to symbolise sanctification and purification, as well as to symbolise the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. The practice is believed to have originated from the book of Exodus in the Bible, where God instructed Moses to build a golden altar for burning incense. Incense has been used in religious rites for thousands of years, including in ancient Assyrian, Babylonian, and Egyptian cultures, as well as in early Jewish and Christian rituals. In the Catholic Mass, incense is used at specific points, such as during the entrance procession, at the beginning of Mass to incense the altar, and at the elevation of the Sacred Host and chalice of Precious Blood.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| History | The use of incense has been recorded since the ancient world, with Herodotus (c. 500 BC) noting its popularity among the Assyrians, Babylonians, and Egyptians. It was also used in Jewish rituals and early Christians adapted its usage for their own rituals. |
| Symbolism | The smoke of incense symbolizes sanctification, purification, and the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. It adds reverence, dignity, and beauty to the Mass. |
| Usage | Incense is used during processions, at the beginning of Mass to incense the altar, during the proclamation of the gospel, at the offertory to incense offerings, the altar, priest, and people, and during funeral Masses to incense the coffin. |
| Purpose | Incense is used to bless and sanctify objects and spaces, creating a worthy place for the worship of God. It also adds a sense of solemnity and mystery to the Mass, linking heaven and earth. |
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What You'll Learn
Incense is used to bless and sanctify items
Incense has long been used in religious ceremonies and rituals, with its smoke playing a key role in blessing and sanctifying people, places, and objects. In Catholic and Orthodox Christian traditions, the practice of swinging or waving incense is known as "incensation" and holds symbolic and spiritual significance.
During incensation, a priest or deacon holds an incense burner, often in the form of a vessel suspended from chains, and swings it in a specific pattern, typically in the shape of a cross. This act of waving or swinging incense is done to spread the fragrant smoke that arises from burning incense, such as frankincense or myrrh resins.
The smoke of incense is believed to symbolically represent prayers rising to Heaven, as mentioned in the Book of Revelation, where "the smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God's people, went up before God from the angel's hand" (Revelation 8:4). Thus, the act of incensation is a physical manifestation of the spiritual act of offering prayers and praise to God.
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It symbolises the purification of the sacred space
The use of incense by priests during Mass is a tradition that dates back millennia, with roots in Jewish tradition and early Christianity. It is believed that the act of waving incense serves multiple purposes, one of which is the purification of the sacred space.
In the ancient world, incense was commonly used in religious rites, including those of the Assyrians, Babylonians, Egyptians, and Jews. The Bible also mentions the use of incense in the Old Testament. For example, God instructed Moses to build an altar for burning incense, known as the Altar of Incense or Golden Altar, as described in Exodus. This altar was used for worship in the Tabernacle, the sacred space where God's presence was believed to dwell.
The use of incense by priests in Catholic liturgies continues this tradition of ritual cleansing and purification. Incense is waved to sanctify and purify the altar, preparing it for the sacrifice and honouring it as the holiest location inside any Catholic Church. This act symbolises the purification of the sacred space, making it worthy for the worship of God.
Additionally, the smoke produced by the burning incense is believed to symbolise the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven, connecting the earthly liturgy with the heavenly realm. This symbolism is reflected in passages from the Bible, such as Psalm 141:2, which compares prayer to incense: "Let my prayer be counted as incense before thee, and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice."
The use of incense in Catholic liturgies is thus a symbolic act that serves to purify and sanctify the sacred space, honour God, and visually represent the prayers of the faithful. It adds solemnity, mystery, and reverence to the Mass, emphasising its spiritual and liturgical significance.
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It represents prayers rising to heaven
The use of incense by priests during Mass is a tradition that dates back millennia. It is believed to symbolise prayers rising to Heaven, representing the sanctification and purification of the sacred space and those within it.
The act of priests swinging censers, filling the air with clouds of incense, is a common sight in Catholic liturgies. This tradition is rooted in the belief that the smoke of incense symbolises the prayers of the faithful rising to Heaven. The visual imagery of the smoke and its fragrance create a sense of transcendence, linking Heaven and Earth and allowing those present to enter into the presence of God.
In the Bible, the use of incense is mentioned in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. In Exodus, God instructs Moses to build an altar for burning incense, symbolising God's presence as a pillar of smoke by day and fire by night. The New Testament also records the Three Kings presenting gifts of frankincense to the Baby Jesus, acknowledging his role as a priest.
The use of incense in Catholic liturgies serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it symbolises the sanctification and purification of the altar, 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 the incense prepares and honours this sacred act. Secondly, the incense itself is believed to sanctify and purify the altar, the priest, and the people, making them worthy of worshipping God.
Through the use of incense, priests and congregants alike are reminded of the spiritual realities of their faith. The rising smoke serves as a visual representation of their prayers ascending to Heaven, connecting them to the Heavenly Liturgy and bringing them closer to God.
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It adds solemnity and mystery to the Mass
The use of incense during Mass adds solemnity and mystery to the proceedings. 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 the presence of God.
The use of incense in religious ceremonies goes back millennia, with the ancient world using it commonly, especially in religious rites to keep demons away. The practice was recorded by Herodotus, who noted its popularity among the Assyrians, Babylonians, and Egyptians. Incense was also used in Judaism, with the Lord instructing Moses to build a golden altar for burning incense.
In the Catholic Mass, incense is used to bless and sanctify, and to prepare the altar for the sacrifice of the Mass, where bread and wine are consecrated into the body and blood of Christ. The smoke of the incense symbolizes sanctification and purification, and it also represents the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven.
The use of incense in the Mass is not just a tradition but serves a spiritual purpose, adding reverence, dignity, and beauty to the worship of God. It is an outward sign of spiritual realities, with the smoke and fragrance creating an atmosphere of transcendence and mystery, reminding us of the eternal Mass in heaven.
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Incense is used during processions and at the altar
The use of incense in Catholic liturgy was commanded by God in the Old Testament (Exodus 30:7, 40:27, inter alia). In Judaism, incense was included in the thanksgiving offerings of oil, grain, fruits, and wine. Moses was instructed to build a golden altar for the burning of incense (Exodus 30:1-10). This was placed in front of the veil to the entrance of the meeting tent where the ark of the covenant was kept.
The use of incense in Catholic liturgy was likely adapted from Jewish Temple rituals. The earliest documented history of using incense during a Catholic sacrificial liturgy comes from the Eastern branch of the Church. The rituals of the Divine Liturgies of Saint James and Saint Mark dating from the 5th century include the use of incense. In the Western Church, the 7th-century Ordo Romanus VIII of Saint Amand mentions the use of incense during the procession of a bishop to the altar on Good Friday.
The use of incense adds a sense of solemnity and mystery to the Mass. The smoke and smell remind us of the transcendence of the Mass, linking heaven and earth, and allowing us to enter into the presence of God. The smoke also serves as a practical reminder of the transcendence of God, reminding us that we cannot see or understand God perfectly.
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Frequently asked questions
The use of incense by priests is rooted in the belief that God commanded its use in the early days of the Israelite liturgy, as recorded in Exodus. Incense is believed to symbolize sanctification, purification, and the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven.
The smoke from the incense is believed to symbolize sanctification and purification. It also represents the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven, as mentioned in Psalm 141:2: "Let my prayer be counted as incense before thee".
Incense is used during various parts of Catholic Mass, including during the entrance procession, at the beginning of Mass to incense the altar, at the proclamation of the gospel, at the offertory to incense the offerings, altar, priest, and people, and during the elevation of the Sacred Host and chalice after the consecration.
