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Anonymous9
Guest
Hello,
Why is incense used in mass
Why is incense used in mass
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Vico
Guest
Catholic Encylopedia
Morrisroe, P. (1910). Incense. In The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07716a.htm
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twf
Guest
Incense is a powerful, tangible symbol of prayers and offerings rising up to heaven. It has been used in divine worship since ancient times…incense was part of the Jewish temple rites in the Old Testament as well.
Because of this:
“And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.”
It is a sensory representation of a spiritual reality: our prayers rising up to God (that’s what “saints” here means in Bible-speak), and conveys the imagery of what goes on in the heavenly liturgy where Jesus is the eternal High Priest, in which we participate at every Mass.
“And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.”
It is a sensory representation of a spiritual reality: our prayers rising up to God (that’s what “saints” here means in Bible-speak), and conveys the imagery of what goes on in the heavenly liturgy where Jesus is the eternal High Priest, in which we participate at every Mass.
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Diaconia
Guest
Incense is a physical example of our prayers rising up to God. Psalm 141:2
It is also a reminder of the sacrifices offered in the Temple by our elder brothers, the Jewish People.
One of the beautiful changes we have seen since Vatican II is a free-standing altar, which allows incensation around all sides of the altar. This is one of many influences from the Eastern Church upon the Council.
It is a shame in the West that it is not used as often as it used to be. In the East, it is a mainstay of our worship, FYI.
Deacon Christopher
It is also a reminder of the sacrifices offered in the Temple by our elder brothers, the Jewish People.
One of the beautiful changes we have seen since Vatican II is a free-standing altar, which allows incensation around all sides of the altar. This is one of many influences from the Eastern Church upon the Council.
It is a shame in the West that it is not used as often as it used to be. In the East, it is a mainstay of our worship, FYI.
Deacon Christopher
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ktfranke
Guest
I love the incorporation of incense in almost any mass. It not only represents our prayers rising to heaven, but also shows how God’s spirit fills the church!
Tis_Bearself
Patron
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kapp19
Guest
It also obscures God in the liturgy - a point Benedict XVI emphasized. If you can’t see God, it somehow reveals Him more.
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libbeylu
Guest
Just love it! 
…just love it! so traditional!
…just love it! so traditional!
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kapp19
Guest
Another historical reason - not a joke, but somehow very charming nonetheless - was that in some places, especially the Roman catacombs (which have their own peculiar smell anyway), it was absolutely necessary to have something… Hot sun, lots of walking to a small space, with lots of people, poor hygiene… well, you need incense.
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Dovekin
Guest
Temples used to have a real need for incense. Sacrificing animals meant blood and other parts of animals spilling out and leaving a less than pleasant aroma. Incense was burned to help counteract these odors.
The Botafumiero in Santiago is a similar modern example of this use, or maybe a medieval use. At the end of the pilgrimages, the pilgrims frequently are tired and unwashed. The incense unites them instead of leaving them in their own stink.
The Botafumiero in Santiago is a similar modern example of this use, or maybe a medieval use. At the end of the pilgrimages, the pilgrims frequently are tired and unwashed. The incense unites them instead of leaving them in their own stink.
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kapp19
Guest
What we need by nature is used by God to teach supernatural lessons!
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MtnDwellar
Guest
In addition to the symbolism already described, incense is blessed and serves a purpose similar to holy water. Incense is used to bless the congregation, the altar, and items in the sanctuary.
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OraLabora
Guest
I’ve always said that Catholics worship with all the senses: smell, taste, hearing, touch, vision.
I love the smell of incense. If I burn it my small oratory where I pray the LOTH though, it overwhelms with smoke and I can’t breathe well enough to chant. Probably not that healthy either. Then @UpUpAndAway suggested using a little burner like the one we use to keep butter melted for lobster feasts; just put the thurible on top of it and light a tea light under it. It works great, the heat releases the scent without making any smoke. Great idea UpUp! I use it every Sunday, feast and solemnity.
I love the smell of incense. If I burn it my small oratory where I pray the LOTH though, it overwhelms with smoke and I can’t breathe well enough to chant. Probably not that healthy either. Then @UpUpAndAway suggested using a little burner like the one we use to keep butter melted for lobster feasts; just put the thurible on top of it and light a tea light under it. It works great, the heat releases the scent without making any smoke. Great idea UpUp! I use it every Sunday, feast and solemnity.
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CRV
Guest
Yes, thank you @UpUpAndAway - great idea. I went out and bought one for myself after your post in that other thread (forget which one it was now).
Quoting from my Missal (EF):-
“Incense represents grace and the effects of grace. Christ was filled with grace as with a sweet fragrance, and “of His fullness we have all received.” From Christ it spreads to the faithful by the work of His ministers. Thus after the altar, which represents Christ, has been incensed on every side, then all are incensed in their proper order.”
"The rite and prayer of the incensing symbolize the Offertory itself, as the gifts are enveloped in a holy atmosphere of blessed incense, and so separated from the rest of creation and dedicated to God. The clouds of incense rise to heaven, descend on the faithful, and spread throughout the Church, as we pray that the Eucharistic Sacrifice be accepted for the salvation of the faithful and for the whole world.
The gifts are first incensed in the form of a cross and in the form of a circle. Then the crucifix or tabernacle, the altar, the celebrant and ministers, the clergy present, and finally the people are incensed, expressing the Church’s desire that the divine mercy sweetly and plentifully descend on all assisting at Mass, flowing from the altar to the priests and through them to the baptized.
The incense symbolizes our prayer, whose source is in the love of God, the divine fire that our Lord came to cast upon the earth."
Quoting from my Missal (EF):-
“Incense represents grace and the effects of grace. Christ was filled with grace as with a sweet fragrance, and “of His fullness we have all received.” From Christ it spreads to the faithful by the work of His ministers. Thus after the altar, which represents Christ, has been incensed on every side, then all are incensed in their proper order.”
"The rite and prayer of the incensing symbolize the Offertory itself, as the gifts are enveloped in a holy atmosphere of blessed incense, and so separated from the rest of creation and dedicated to God. The clouds of incense rise to heaven, descend on the faithful, and spread throughout the Church, as we pray that the Eucharistic Sacrifice be accepted for the salvation of the faithful and for the whole world.
The gifts are first incensed in the form of a cross and in the form of a circle. Then the crucifix or tabernacle, the altar, the celebrant and ministers, the clergy present, and finally the people are incensed, expressing the Church’s desire that the divine mercy sweetly and plentifully descend on all assisting at Mass, flowing from the altar to the priests and through them to the baptized.
The incense symbolizes our prayer, whose source is in the love of God, the divine fire that our Lord came to cast upon the earth."
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on_the_hill
Guest
Well, I’ve always been fond of incense at Mass. A few months ago, however, our priest started using SO MUCH incense at every Mass that I thought my wife, who’s really irritated by it, would either stop going to church or switch to a different parish. It got to be too much even for me.
It was during Advent, I think, and he’s not using it any more.
It was during Advent, I think, and he’s not using it any more.
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fredystairs
Guest
Yes. Too much can be irritating.
I love the use of incense but I think there should be some masses without it for those who cannot handle the smell.
Pax
I love the use of incense but I think there should be some masses without it for those who cannot handle the smell.
Pax
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dochawk
Guest
one of the most awe inspiring parts of Byzantine Holy Week is a part with the and candles facing the altar, and the chant of, " , “Let my prayer arise like incense , and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice!"
And we missed it his year.
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Maximian
Guest
Incense was burned during the sacrifices in the Temple; as it is costly it was also itself a sacrifice. At the same time it is the visible sign (Apocalypse 8 1-4) of the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven.
In Luke chapter 1 it is recorded that the angel stood at the right side of the Altar, which was also the location of the showbread which prefigured the bread of the Mass. That is why the thurifer is placed there at Mass today.
It is believed that, just as the thurifer stands at the right of the altar during the Mass, so also an angel stands there to carry the sacrifice of the Mass together with our prayers to the throne of God.
The sacrificial meaning of incense was the reason why its use is forbidden by protestant sects which repudiate the theology of eucharistic sacrifice.
In Luke chapter 1 it is recorded that the angel stood at the right side of the Altar, which was also the location of the showbread which prefigured the bread of the Mass. That is why the thurifer is placed there at Mass today.
It is believed that, just as the thurifer stands at the right of the altar during the Mass, so also an angel stands there to carry the sacrifice of the Mass together with our prayers to the throne of God.
The sacrificial meaning of incense was the reason why its use is forbidden by protestant sects which repudiate the theology of eucharistic sacrifice.
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Peeps
Guest
I’m guessing that incense will not be used until the COVID-19 scare is gone and forgotten.
The last thing people wearing masks need is something to make them cough and irritate their nasal passages.
Oh, well.
The last thing people wearing masks need is something to make them cough and irritate their nasal passages.
Oh, well.
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