Anisha Riggs
Incense is used during Catholic Mass to symbolise the act of purification and sanctification. The smoke from the incense is thought to symbolise the prayers of the faithful rising up to God in Heaven. The use of incense during Mass is also biblical, as the Lord instructed Moses on how to use incense to mark and keep spaces sacred. Incense is burned atop new altars as they undergo the process of consecration prior to their first use. Incense is also used during the entrance procession, at the Gospel procession and acclamation, at the offertory to incense gifts, and to incense the altar, priest, and people.
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What You'll Learn
Incense is used to symbolise the act of purification and sanctification
The use of incense during Catholic Mass is a biblical and liturgical practice. Incense is used to symbolise the act of purification and sanctification. The smoke from the incense symbolises the prayers of the faithful drifting up to heaven. The Psalmist prays, "Let my prayer come like incense before you; the lifting up of my hands, like the evening sacrifice" (Psalm 141). The smoke and smell of incense create the ambiance of heaven, allowing those present to enter into the presence of God.
The practice of burning incense during Mass is believed to have been adapted from early Jewish Temple rituals. The exact origins of its use in Christian rituals are unknown, but the liturgies of Saints James and Mark, which date back to the fifth century, mention the use of incense. A Roman Ritual from the seventh century also documents its use in the procession of a Bishop to the altar and on Good Friday.
During Mass, incense is used at various points to symbolise purification and sanctification. At the beginning of the Mass, the priest blesses the incense and uses it to incense the altar, the offerings, the priest, and the people. The priest may also incense the Crucifix and the Paschal Candle. 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.
The use of incense adds solemnity and mystery to the Mass, creating a multi-sensory experience that engages sight, smell, and sometimes touch. The sweet-smelling plumes of smoke rising from the thurible (the vessel in which incense is burned) reinforce the transcendence of the liturgy, linking Heaven and Earth.
In addition to its use during Mass, incense is also used by the Church in various other rituals and ceremonies, including the blessing of new churches, the consecration of altars, and the veneration of relics.
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It creates the ambiance of heaven
The use of incense during Mass is a long-standing tradition in the Catholic Church. While the exact origins of this practice are unknown, it is believed that Christians adapted the use of incense from Jewish Temple rituals. Today, incense is used in Mass for a variety of reasons, one of which is to create the ambiance of heaven.
The smoke and scent of incense during Mass are believed to evoke a heavenly atmosphere, linking Heaven and Earth and allowing those present to enter into the presence of God. This idea is supported by biblical references, such as Psalm 141, which compares prayer to rising incense: "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 involving incense, further reinforcing the connection between incense and the divine realm.
The use of incense during Mass adds a sense of solemnity and mystery, enhancing the liturgical experience. The sweet-smelling plumes of smoke rising from the thurible (the vessel in which incense is burned) symbolize the transcendence of the liturgy and the act of purification and sanctification. Incense is used to bless and consecrate altars, relics, and other sacred objects, as well as during processions and the proclamation of the Gospel.
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. The visual and olfactory sensations created by incense serve as a powerful reminder of the sacred nature of the Mass and our connection to the divine.
The incorporation of incense in Catholic rituals extends beyond Mass. It is used during the blessing of new churches, cemeteries, and sacred items, as well as in the consecration of holy oils and the celebration of solemn feasts and processions. The sensory experience of incense engages the senses of sight, smell, and even touch, making the liturgical experience more immersive and impactful.
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The practice has biblical origins
The practice of burning incense during Mass has its origins in the Bible. In Exodus 30:34-38, God instructs Moses to "take sweet spices ... and make an incense blended as by the perfumer". Moses is further instructed to "put part of it before the testimony in the tent of meeting where I shall meet with you; it shall be for you most holy". This passage highlights the sacred nature of incense and its use in creating a holy space for communion with God.
The use of incense in the Bible is also mentioned in the Psalms. Psalm 141 says, "Let my prayer come like incense before you; the lifting up of my hands, like the evening sacrifice". Here, the psalmist compares the act of prayer to the rising smoke of incense, reinforcing the idea that incense symbolizes the prayers of the faithful drifting up to heaven.
Additionally, in the Book of Revelation, there is a description of heavenly worship that includes the use of incense: "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". This passage further emphasizes the biblical connection between incense and the act of offering prayers to God.
The use of incense in the Catholic Church is also tied to the concept of purification and sanctification. Incense is used to purify and sanctify people and objects, such as altars and sacred vessels, through the act of incensation. This practice is believed to make and keep these people and objects holy, in preparation for the sacred liturgy.
The visual and olfactory aspects of burning incense during Mass create a sense of solemnity and mystery, enhancing the transcendence of the liturgy and linking heaven and earth. The smoke and smell of incense remind worshippers of the presence of God and the heavenly realm, creating a sacred atmosphere for the Mass.
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Incense is burned atop new altars during the process of consecration
The act of burning incense atop a new altar during its consecration is a symbolic gesture with several meanings. Firstly, it represents the burial rite of the ancient martyrs and symbolizes the prayers of the saints. The smoke from the incense is believed to symbolize 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."
Additionally, the burning of incense serves as a prayer in itself and creates a solemn and mysterious ambiance during the Mass. It adds a sensory element to the prayer experience, engaging the sense of smell, and reminding us of the transcendence of the Mass, linking heaven and earth.
The use of incense during the consecration of a new altar also connects the congregation to the original dedication of the church, the angels, and the saints in heaven. It is a visual representation of the use of incense in the Book of Revelation, where an angel brings incense to the altar of gold before God's throne, along with the prayers of God's holy ones.
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It adds solemnity to the Mass
The use of incense during Mass is a long-standing tradition in the Catholic Church. While it is not known exactly when its use was introduced, it is believed to have originated from Jewish Temple rituals, as mentioned in the Bible, where God instructed Moses to use incense to mark and keep spaces sacred.
The use of incense adds a sense of solemnity and mystery to the Mass. The visual imagery and smell of the incense create an ambiance that reminds attendees of the transcendence of the Mass, linking Heaven and Earth. It symbolises the act of purification and sanctification, with the smoke representing prayers rising up to Heaven.
The incense is burned during specific parts of the Mass, including the entrance procession, the Gospel procession and acclamation, and the Offertory, where the offerings, altar, priest, and people are incensed. The priest may also incense the Crucifix and the Paschal Candle. During funeral Masses, the priest may incense the coffin as a sign of honour and as a symbol of the faithful's prayers for the deceased.
The sweet-smelling plumes of incense rising from the thurible (the vessel in which incense is burned) point to the transcendent nature of the liturgy. The use of incense during Mass engages the sense of smell, which is an important part of the liturgical experience, as it engages the senses and aids in availing oneself of the salvific grace of the Mass.
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Frequently asked questions
The use of incense during Mass is biblical and liturgical. It is believed to symbolise the act of purification and sanctification.
The smoke from the incense symbolises the prayers of the faithful rising up to heaven.
Incense may be used during the entrance procession, at the beginning of Mass, during 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.
At the start of Mass, the altar and sanctuary area are incensed to invoke the mercy of God.
Frankincense and myrrh are often used during the Mass of the Feast of the Epiphany.
