Antonio Mcgowan
The use of incense during Catholic Mass is steeped in tradition and symbolism. The practice, which originated in the ancient world, is believed to have been commanded by God in the Book of Exodus, where God instructs Moses to build a golden altar for burning incense. During Mass, incense is used at various points, such as during the entrance procession, at the beginning of Mass to incense the altar, and at the offertory to incense the offerings, altar, priest, and people. The smoke from the incense is symbolic, representing the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven and creating an ambiance of solemnity and beauty. It also serves a practical purpose, acting as a form of purification and sanctification.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Incense is used to bless or sanctify the altar, preparing it for sacrifice and honouring it as the place of that sacrifice. |
| Symbolism | Incense smoke symbolises the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. |
| History | The use of incense was commanded by God in the Bible as early as Exodus. It was also used in Jewish temple worship and continued after the establishment of Christianity, influencing the Catholic Church's use of incense in liturgical celebrations. |
| Ritual | Priests and altar servers swing censers of incense during Mass and other liturgical services. |
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What You'll Learn
Incense is symbolic of sanctification and purification
The use of incense in Catholic liturgy has its roots in antiquity, with the first recorded use of incense by the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilisation in 3600 BC. The Bible mentions incense 170 times, and its use was commanded by God as early as Exodus. As Catholicism is a continuation of the Israelite liturgy, priests liturgically use incense.
The smoke of incense is symbolic of sanctification and purification. It also symbolizes the prayers of the faithful drifting up to heaven. In the Bible, the angel's hand offered incense, and with it, the prayers of God's people rose up to God. Incense is an outward sign of spiritual realities, which is why it has its place in Christian liturgy.
Incense is used to bless and sanctify things in a special way. The incensing sanctifies the altar, preparing it for the sacrifice and honouring it as the place of that sacrifice. The altar is the holiest location inside any Catholic Church. The smoke of incense symbolically purifies all that it touches. In the Maronite Rite of the Catholic Church, liturgical vessels are purified before use by being inverted over burning incense to catch the fragrant smoke. In the Chaldean Rite of the Catholic Church, those preparing to receive Holy Communion first purify their hands by holding them in the smoke above a bowl of burning incense.
The use of incense in Catholic liturgy is also a continuation of the Jewish tradition of burning incense in temple worship. In the time of the Second Jewish Temple, the smoke of burning incense was interpreted as a symbol of the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. In the Eastern Rites at the beginning of Mass, the altar and sanctuary area are incensed while Psalm 50, the "Miserere", is chanted, invoking the mercy of God.
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It is believed to have been commanded by God in Exodus
The use of incense by Catholics during Mass and other liturgical services is believed to have been commanded by God in the Book of Exodus. In the Old Testament, God instructed Moses on how to build the Tabernacle, the travelling temple of God. The Book of Exodus contains instructions to build an altar of incense to stand beside the altar of sacrifice. This is referenced in Exodus 30:1-10.
The use of incense in Catholic liturgy has been practised for thousands of years, continuing the Jewish tradition that came before it. The practice is also mentioned in the liturgies of Saints James and Mark, which in their present form date back to the 5th century. The 7th-century Ordo Romanus VIII of Saint Amand also mentions the use of incense during the procession of a bishop to the altar on Good Friday.
The incense is believed to symbolise the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven and is used to bless and sanctify things in a special way. The altar, the holiest location inside any Catholic Church, is incensed at the beginning of Mass to prepare it for sacrifice and to honour it as the place of that sacrifice. The incensing of the altar also directly connects with Christ's Holy Sacrifice, as the altar contains his five wounds, upon which his body and blood will be offered.
The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) states that the priest may incense the gifts placed upon the altar, as well as the cross and the altar itself, to signify the Church's offering and prayer rising like incense in the sight of God. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the faithful, is believed to rise to God, allowing worshippers to connect with God's altar in heaven and utilise all of their senses in prayer.
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It is used to bless and sanctify things
The use of incense by Catholics during Mass and other liturgical services is steeped in tradition and symbolism. It is believed to have originated from the earliest days of Christian liturgy, continuing the ancient Jewish tradition that came before it. According to the Bible, God commanded Moses to construct an altar of incense for worship in the Tabernacle, as recorded in Exodus. This tradition was then adopted by Catholicism, which is a continuation of the Israelite liturgy.
The act of waving incense on the altar, also known as incensing, holds significant meaning and purpose. Firstly, it is used to bless and sanctify things. The smoke of the incense is believed to symbolise the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven, connecting the earthly altar with God's altar in heaven. This idea is supported by passages in the Bible, such as Revelation, which describes angels offering incense on a heavenly altar alongside the prayers of the saints. Thus, the use of incense during Mass creates a symbolic connection to heaven and enhances the worship experience.
The altar, being the holiest location inside any Catholic Church, is sanctified through incensing. This act of purification prepares the altar for sacrifice and honours it as the place of sacrifice. Additionally, the incense may be used to bless the bread and wine placed upon the altar, signifying the Church's offering and prayers rising to God. The incense also symbolises devotion to the holy words of the Savior, expressing reverence and love for Christ's presence in the Holy Gospel.
Furthermore, the use of incense adds to the solemnity and ambiance of the worship ceremony. The sensory experience of incense, with its visual and aromatic qualities, enhances the prayer experience and symbolises the action of prayer. The swinging of incense during Mass is not merely decorative but holds deep symbolic value, connecting the earthly and the divine.
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Its use is rooted in the Jewish tradition
The use of incense during Catholic Mass is rooted in Jewish tradition. The practice of burning incense during religious ceremonies was adopted from the Jews, who used it in their temple rituals. This tradition is referenced several times in the Old Testament, particularly in the Book of Exodus, where God instructs Moses on how to build the Tabernacle, including the altar for burning incense.
The Book of Psalms also mentions incense, describing how it was used in the Temple of Jerusalem. For instance, Psalm 141:2 reads, "May my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!" Incense was offered alongside sacrifices and was seen as symbolic of the faithful's prayers rising to God.
The Book of Revelation, which is part of the New Testament, also mentions incense. For example, Revelation 5:8 describes a vision of heaven with "golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints." This Christian text, therefore, continues the tradition of associating incense with prayer and worship.
In the Jewish tradition, incense was used in the
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It adds a sense of solemnity and mystery to the Mass
The use of incense during Mass is a tradition that dates back thousands of years, with its origins in Judaism and other ancient civilizations. According to the Bible, God commanded Moses to build an altar of incense for worship in the Tabernacle, as mentioned in Exodus. This tradition was continued by Catholicism, which sees itself as a continuation of the Israelite liturgy.
The act of burning incense during Mass holds significant symbolic value. Firstly, it represents the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven, connecting the earthly altar with the heavenly one. This idea is supported by passages in the Book of Revelation, which describes angels offering incense at the altar in heaven, along with the prayers of God's people. Thus, the use of incense during Mass creates a solemn ambiance, uniting the worshippers with the angels and saints in their praise of God.
Additionally, the incense is used to bless and sanctify the altar, preparing it for the sacrifice and honoring it as the holiest location inside any Catholic Church. The ritual of incensing the altar, along with the accompanying chants or prayers, adds a sense of solemnity and reverence to the Mass. It emphasizes the importance of the altar as the focal point of the sacrifice and the presence of Christ.
Moreover, the use of incense provides a sensory and visual experience that enhances the act of prayer for Catholics. The smoke, the scent, and the ritual movements involved in waving incense all contribute to a multisensory worship experience. This engages the worshippers' senses, making the Mass a more immersive and memorable occasion.
The tradition of waving incense during Mass is thus a symbolic and ritualistic act that adds depth and solemnity to the Catholic worship experience. It connects the earthly and the divine, sanctifies the altar, and engages the senses, making the Mass a more meaningful and sacred event.
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Frequently asked questions
Burning incense is a prayer in itself, representing prayers rising to heaven and connecting us to God's altar. It is also used to bless and sanctify the altar, preparing it for sacrifice.
The smoke from the incense symbolizes sanctification and purification. It also symbolizes the prayers of the faithful drifting up to heaven.
The incense is made of a blend of aromatic substances, including storax, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense, as instructed by God in Exodus 30:34-36.
