Joshua Bennett
Incense is used in Catholic funeral Masses to symbolise the purification and sanctification of the deceased's body and coffin. The smoke conveys a sense of mystery and awe, symbolising the prayers of the Saints rising to God. The practice of burning incense during Catholic funerals dates back to the 5th century, with the first recorded use of incense for worship traced back to Egypt around 2400 BC. Incense is also used in various other Catholic rituals outside of funeral Masses, including processions, graveside services, and the blessing of new churches and items.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Symbol of prayer, Symbol of purification and sanctification |
| Usage | Incense is burnt during the entrance procession, at the beginning of Mass to incense the cross and the altar, at the Gospel procession and proclamation, during Offertory to incense the offerings, altar, priest and congregation, during the Consecration, during the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, during the Eucharistic Adoration in the Roman Rite, during the consecration of the altar by a bishop in the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church, during the Divine Service, during the praying of the canonical hours in Lutheran churches, during the Mass of the Feast of the Epiphany, during the funeral procession, at the gravesite during the burial service |
| History | The first recorded use of incense for worship is from Egypt around 2400 B.C. It was also used in ancient China and plays a part in Buddhist, Shinto and Taoist ceremonies. 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. Documented history of incensing the Evangeliary (Book of Gospels) during the Mass dates from the 11th century. |
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What You'll Learn
Incense is used to symbolise prayer
Incense is used in Catholic funeral Masses to symbolise prayer. The smoke from the incense conveys a sense of mystery and awe. It is believed that the smoke carries the prayers of the faithful up to heaven, as described in the Bible: "From the angel's hand, the smoke of the incense went up before God, and with it the prayers of God's people".
The use of incense in Catholic liturgy is ancient, with the first recorded use of incense for worship dating back to Egypt around 2400 BC. In the Old Testament, God commanded His people to burn incense as an offering, and it was used to purify the Tabernacle where the Ark of the Covenant was held. The rituals of the Divine Liturgies of Saint James and Saint Mark, dating from the 5th century, also include the use of incense.
Incense is a key part of Catholic liturgy because it engages the sense of smell, and the smells and bells are an important part of the faith. The smoke from incense is also believed to symbolically purify all that it touches. This is illustrated in the Chaldean Rite of the Catholic Church, where 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 during funeral Masses is specifically mentioned in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, which states that incense may be used to incense the coffin as a sign of honour to the body of the deceased and as a symbol of the faithful's prayers for the departed soul.
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Smoke symbolically purifies all it touches
The use of incense during Catholic funeral Masses is a long-standing tradition. The smoke from the incense is believed to symbolically purify all that it touches. This practice is best exemplified in the Chaldean Rite of the Catholic Church, where those preparing to receive Holy Communion during the Holy Qurbono first purify their hands by holding them over a bowl of burning incense.
The use of incense in Catholic liturgies dates back centuries and is mentioned in the writings of Saint James and Saint Mark from the 5th century. The 7th-century Ordo Romanus VIII of Saint Amand also describes the use of incense during processions led by a bishop to the altar on Good Friday. The practice of incensing the Evangeliary, or Book of Gospels, during Mass was first documented in the 11th century.
The act of burning incense is deeply rooted in the Catholic faith's emphasis on engaging all five senses during liturgical practices. The sweet-smelling smoke creates a sense of mystery and awe, enhancing the sacredness of the funeral ceremony. The smoke is believed to symbolise the sanctifying grace of the Holy Spirit and the prayers of the saints rising to heaven.
During funeral Masses, the priest or deacon will often incense the coffin as a sign of honour and reverence for the deceased. This act symbolically purifies the coffin and the earthly remains within, reflecting the belief that the deceased became a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit through baptism. The smoke from the incense also represents the faithful's prayers for the deceased, rising up to God.
In addition to funerals, incense is used in various Catholic rituals, including the blessing of new churches, cemeteries, altars, and sacred vessels. It is also employed during solemn processions, graveside services, and the dedication of new church bells or copies of the Book of Gospels. The use of incense during these rituals reinforces the symbolic act of purification and sanctification through the power of its fragrant smoke.
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Incense is used during processions
The use of incense during processions is deeply rooted in Catholic tradition. Incense is a sacramental symbolising prayer, purification, and sanctification. Its use during processions serves multiple purposes, from marking sacred spaces to honouring the deceased.
The history of using incense in Catholic liturgy dates back centuries. The Eastern branch of the Church first documented its use in the 5th century in the Divine Liturgies of Saint James and Saint Mark. The 7th-century Ordo Romanus VIII of Saint Amand mentions the use of incense during processions, specifically during the procession of a bishop to the altar on Good Friday. Over time, the use of incense evolved and became incorporated into various solemn processions within the Church.
During funeral Masses, incense plays a significant role. The priest or deacon may incense the coffin as a sign of honour and reverence for the deceased, who was baptised and became a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. This act symbolises the purification of the coffin and the faithful's prayers rising to God. The earthly remains of the deceased and the gravesite may also be incensed during the burial service.
The Roman Missal, as revised in 1969, provides guidelines for the use of incense during processions. It specifies that incense may be used during the entrance procession to mark the beginning of Mass and the gathering of the congregation. The thurifer, holding the smoking thurible, leads this procession, filling the space with fragrant smoke.
Additionally, incense is used during the gospel procession, marking the high point of the Word portion of the service. The Book of the Gospels is incensed during this procession, symbolising its sanctity and importance. The use of incense during processions adds a sense of solemnity and mystery, engaging the sense of smell and creating a multi-sensory liturgical experience.
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Incense is used to bless statues and images
Incense is a sacramental tool used in the Catholic Church to venerate, bless, and sanctify. The smoke from burning incense is interpreted as a symbol of prayer rising to heaven. This symbolism is illustrated in Psalm 141 (140), verse 2: "Let my prayer be directed as incense in thy sight: the lifting up of my hands, as the evening sacrifice."
The use of incense in Christianity is inspired by passages in the Bible. The practice has its roots in the earlier traditions of Judaism during the time of the Second Jewish Temple. The Book of Revelation describes incense as symbolising the prayers of the saints in heaven, represented as a "golden bowl full of incense" that are "the prayers of the saints."
In the Catholic Church, incense is used to bless liturgical vessels, such as the chalice and diskos, by catching the fragrant smoke before liturgical use. During funeral Masses, the priest may also incense the coffin as a sign of honour to the body of the deceased and as a symbol of the faithful's prayers for the departed.
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Incense is used to venerate and sanctify
Incense is used in Catholic funeral Masses to venerate and sanctify. The practice of burning incense during Catholic funerals is believed to have originated in the Eastern branch of the Church, with the earliest documented history of its use during a Catholic sacrificial liturgy dating back to the 5th century in the rituals of the Divine Liturgies of Saint James and Saint Mark.
Incense is a sacramental tool that venerates, blesses, and sanctifies through its symbolic smoke. The smoke of incense conveys a sense of mystery and awe, symbolising the sanctifying grace of the Holy Spirit and the prayers of the Saints rising to heaven. During funeral Masses, the priest incenses the coffin as a sign of honour and reverence for the deceased, who was baptised and became a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. The incense also symbolises the purification of the coffin and the prayers of the faithful for the deceased rising to God.
The use of incense during Catholic funeral Masses is not just symbolic but also practical. The sweet-smelling haze created by the incense fills the air, engaging the sense of smell and creating a multi-sensory experience for those in attendance. This is in line with the Catholic faith's liturgical nature, which intentionally engages all five senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch.
The practice of burning incense at Catholic funerals is deeply rooted in tradition and symbolism, venerating the deceased and sanctifying the funeral space. While the use of incense is optional for most Masses, it continues to be a significant part of Catholic funeral rituals, connecting the earthly and the divine.
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Frequently asked questions
The smoke at a Catholic funeral is from incense, which is used to symbolise prayer and as a sign of reverence for the deceased.
Incense is used at Catholic funerals to symbolise the sanctifying grace of the Holy Spirit and the prayers of the Saints rising to heaven. It is also used to symbolise the purification of the soul of the deceased.
Incense is made from frankincense and myrrh, which are blessed at the Mass of the Feast of the Epiphany to commemorate the visitation of the Biblical Magi to Baby Jesus.
