Ps []:2; Rev Incense is also used on Holy Thursday, during the procession with the Blessed Sacrament to the altar of repose. At the Easter Vigil, five grains of encapsulated incense most often made to look like red nails are embedded in the paschal candle.
These five grains of incense represent the five wounds of Jesus Christ — one in each hand, one in each foot, and the spear thrust into His side. At funeral Masses the earthly remains of the decedent and the catafalque may be incensed, and also the gravesite at the burial service.
Incense is used by the Church in many areas outside of the Mass. Near the end of the 4th century, the pilgrim Etheria Silvia witnessed use of incense at the vigil Office of the Sunday in Jerusalem.
Many individuals today both clerical and lay include the burning of incense as part of their praying of the Liturgy of the Hours or during private prayers of their own formulation. The Roman Ordos [ritual books] from the 7th to the 14th centuries document the use of incense at the Gospel reading, at the Offertory, and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
Incense is used in various solemn processions, graveside services, the blessing of the dedication of new churches, cemeteries, and items such as new altars, new church bells, new sacred vessels, and newly acquired copies of the Book of Gospels.
Incense is also used in the rite of consecrating of the chrism and the blessing of other holy oils, and during the singing of the Gospel canticle at solemn Morning and Evening Prayers of the Divine Office.
Grains of incense are placed into the sepulcher of newly consecrated altars along with the relics of saints to represent the burial rite of the ancient martyrs and to symbolize the prayers of the saint to whom the relic belongs.
Incense is burned atop new altars as they are undergoing the process of consecration prior to their first use. Finally, frankincense and myrrh are often blessed at the Mass of the Feast of the Epiphany to commemorate the visitation of the Biblical Magi to the Baby Jesus. This incense is distributed to attendees for use at their own family altars and to reserve for use at the coming Easter to prepare their home paschal candles. The Catholic faith is a liturgical faith. It makes use of all five of our senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch.
This is certainly by design as each sense aids us in availing ourselves of the salvific grace flowing from the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. This is precisely why every effort should be used to employ all of our senses whenever possible during the celebration of the sacred liturgy. This article is condensed from a monograph by Mr. Herrera, of San Luis Obispo, California. Complete version: smellsbells. The rising smoke came to symbolize a person's or people's prayers rising up to God.
So in Psalm we have the plea, "Let my prayer come like incense before you. Early Christians also found symbolic meaning in the use of incense.
In the Book of Revelation, for instance, John has a vision of heaven and a kind of heavenly liturgy where the 24 elders worship the lamb that was slain. The elders hold harps and gold bowls filled with incense, "which are the prayers of the holy ones" In Revelation an angel holding a gold censer is given a great quantity of incense to offer and the smoke of the incense goes up before God with prayers. So, among Christians today, incense has ritual and symbolic meaning.
Its sweet aroma symbolizes something pleasing and acceptable being offered to God. Benedict the African. About Announcements Englewood Contribute. Why use incense at Mass? Prayers rise, blessings come down Father David Jones Catholic Practices One has to chuckle when a Catholic complains that the use of incense bothers him or her. Recent Reflections. Want to Learn More? Why aren't people kneeling at church? Why going to Sunday Mass matters Why did Jesus have to get baptized?
When to bow, when to genuflect When are we instructed to pray in the Mass? What does this mean? Rose is highest on our list of recommendations for this attribute; try it blended alongside a good Aloeswood stick too.
Cultivate a new interest. Some people drink and appreciate fine wines — others burn Incense! There is an interesting journey to be taken here with fragrance … Which do you like, which motivates you, which affects you most? Turning the burning of Incense into an interest will encourage you to slow down, appreciate things in more detail, even tune up your ability to focus and concentrate. Plus, Incense is an easy, quick and accessible way to cover unwanted household smells like cooking, pets, damp clothes etc.
A magical experience. Scents arouse significant responses in our brains and can instantly remind us of past events, people and emotions. We can be transported back to ancient Egypt, to Springtime in Japan — or anything within our own memory banks.
The good feelings are just a moment away. Accessible in price, easy to use, huge choice plus interesting and engaging. We think this is a decent list for Incense newcomers and experienced people alike. You can see, the reasons are many and the benefits diverse.
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