Incense at Mass

Let my prayer be incense before you; my uplifted hands an evening offering! (Psalm 141:2)

We’re honoring the ancient practice of using incense at worship during the Triduum, on Holy Thursday and at the Easter Vigil, and at 10:30 a.m. Mass Easter Sunday.

People have used incense, or burning of natural matter, in worship for thousands of years. The Jewish use of incense in temple worship influenced the use of incense in the early church and up to today.

Incense is a sacramental, like water, oil, and light, that blesses, venerates, and sanctifies, reminding us of the presence of the Lord. Catholic liturgy is full of sensual imagery of sight, sound, and smell to reinforce our perception of the transcendence of the Mass as it links heaven and earth, allowing us to enter into the continual, eternal sacrifice of and passion of Jesus.

It is right to give him thanks and praise in every way we can, using every sense we have.