Why Incense During Divine Liturgy?
[shared_counts]
The Importance and Symbolism of Incense in Catholic Worship
Incense has played a profound role in Catholic worship for centuries, symbolizing the sacred, fostering an atmosphere of reverence, and serving as an offering of prayer and adoration. Rooted in Scriptural traditions and ingrained in longstanding liturgical practice, incense serves as a bridge between the material and spiritual realms, drawing the faithful closer to the divine mystery of God, Who they see through the eyes of Faith. Incense is blessed by a priest and thus becomes a sacramental. Sadly, its role in our Catholic worship has been greatly minimalized in our post Vatican II era.
Biblical Roots of Incense
The use of incense predates Christianity and finds its origins amidst the religious practice of the ancient Hebrews. Its use is part of God’s revelation since those times.
In the Old Testament, incense is explicitly mentioned as a key element of worship. A reference to it is made over ninety times from the Pentateuch on through the Prophets. God commanded Moses to make an altar for burning incense, describing its composition and use in Exodus 30:34-38. The sweet-smelling smoke of incense was a physical sign of prayer rising to God, as reflected in Psalm 140:2: “Let my prayer be directed as incense in Thy sight; the lifting up of my hands, as evening sacrifice.”
In the New Testament, the use of incense continued. The Magi presented frankincense to the infant Jesus (cf. Matthew 2:11), signifying His divinity. The Book of the Apocalypse 8:3-4 portrays the prayers of the saints rising with the smoke of incense before the throne of God. These scriptural foundations underscore the sacred significance of incense in Catholic worship.
The Liturgical Use of Incense
Incense is employed in liturgical celebrations, including the Mass, the Divine Office, and Eucharistic Adoration. It is often associated with funerals since the body of the deceased is incensed at the conclusion of the Requiem Mass. Its use is not merely decorative or atmospheric but deeply symbolic. Fr. Goffine, in The Church’s Year for the 15th Sunday after Pentecost, accordingly teaches:
“Why are the body and the grave incensed? By this the Church indicates that the deceased by his Christian vocation was a good odor of Christ (II Cor. 2:14, 15) and admonishes the faithful that their prayers should ascend like incense to Heaven for the deceased.”
During Holy Mass, incense is used at key moments to venerate sacred objects and persons. For instance, the priest incenses the altar, a central symbol of Christ’s sacrifice. Incense is also used to honor the Gospel before its proclamation, the bread and wine during the Offertory, and both the clergy and the faithful during the Offertory.
In solemn celebrations of the Divine Office, the incorporation of incense sanctifies the prayer of the Church, especially when the altar is incensed during the Magnificat at Vespers. In Eucharistic Adoration, incense emphasizes the reverence due to Christ’s Real Presence in the Blessed Sacrament. At funerals, the censing of the casket symbolizes prayers for the deceased’s soul and reverence for the body, which was a temple of the Holy Ghost. That same body will one day be resurrected and united with the soul for eternity in either Heaven or hell.
Incense is also used in processions and certain blessings and consecrations. For example, incense is used in the blessing of candles at Candlemass and of homes as part of the Epiphany blessing for the home. During Holy Week, the sacred chrism is blessed with incense. At the Easter Vigil, the holy water is incensed as well. A new church and new altar are always consecrated with copious amounts of incense.
Deepening Your Knowledge
For those who wish to learn more about the use of incense by the Church, we recommend Mr. David Rodríguez’s course on “The Most Obvious Differences and Advantages of the Traditional Latin Mass.” This series includes fifteen hour-long talks, and the fourteenth is dedicated to the topic of sacred incense.
Symbolism of Incense
- Prayers Rising to Heaven
One of the most profound symbols of incense is its representation of prayers ascending to God. As the smoke rises and disperses, it visually conveys the offering of the faithful’s petitions, intercessions, and praises. This symbolism is powerfully depicted in Apocalypse 8:3-4, where the smoke of incense accompanies the prayers of the saints. When this happens at Mass, we should picture St. Michael, who, in the words of the Liturgy, stands at the right hand of the altar of incense.
- Purification and Sanctification
Incense also symbolizes purification and sanctification. The sweet fragrance represents the transformative power of God’s grace, which purifies the soul and makes it pleasing to Him. This aspect is particularly evident during the censing of the altar when the gifts offered to God are forever separated for Divine Worship.
We even speak of holy people dying in the ‘odor of sanctity.’ This is related to our use of incense. In fact, in certain lives of the saints, the deceased body of God’s holy one has given off the sweet smell of incense. St. Polycarp of Smyrna, a first-century bishop and martyr, is perhaps the best-known example. As his body was burned on a pyre, the onlookers all smelled incense.
- Sacred Presence
The use of incense fosters a sense of the sacred and otherworldly. The sight and smell of incense engage the senses, drawing the faithful in the pews into a deeper awareness of God’s presence. This sensory experience underscores the incarnational nature of true Catholic worship, where physical elements become vehicles of divine grace. The mystery of incense – like icons, Latin, and other external elements – contributes to a sense of wonder and awe in the presence of the transcendent, omnipotent, Triune God.
- Honor and Reverence
Incense is a sign of honor and reverence. Its use in liturgy reflects the Church’s veneration of Christ, the saints, and sacred objects. By censing the altar, the Book of the Gospels, relics, or the Blessed Sacrament, the Church expresses profound respect for the divine and the sacred realities these objects represent. As previously mentioned, as a distinction, a relic of the True Cross is incensed three times instead of only twice, as done for other relics.
Spiritual Benefits of Incense
The use of incense in worship offers numerous spiritual benefits. As a sacramental, it conveys actual graces. Incense elevates the liturgical experience, helping the faithful to enter more fully into prayer and contemplation. The fragrance of incense can evoke a sense of peace and holiness, providing a tangible reminder of God’s presence.
Moreover, the visual image of rising smoke inspires the faithful to lift their hearts and minds to God, fostering a spirit of humility and dependence on Him.
Furthermore, incense reflects the eschatological dimension of divine worship. It reminds the faithful of the heavenly liturgy, where angels and saints offer eternal praise to God. As Apocalypse 5:8 depicts, the golden bowls of incense held by the twenty-four elders represent the prayers of the saints. In this way, the earthly liturgy becomes a foretaste of the heavenly banquet. There is an eternal liturgy in Heaven.
Conclusion
Incense is far more than a mere ritualistic embellishment in Catholic worship. Removing it entirely runs contrary to Scripture and tradition. Rather, it is a profound expression of faith, reverence, and prayer.
As a tangible reminder of the sacred, incense bridges the earthly and the divine, lifting hearts and minds to the worship of God. In its fragrant ascent, incense embodies the prayers of the Church, sanctifies the liturgical space, and honors the mystery of God’s presence among His people. Once blessed by a priest, incense also becomes a sacramental and conveys actual graces to the faithful.
The post Why Incense During Divine Liturgy? first appeared on The Fatima Center.
These views are those of the Fatima Center and do not necessarily reflect the views of Immaculata South Africa
To read similar articles please visit the Fatima Center by clicking here.
Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us.
