Why do Catholics use incense during the Holy Mass?

The use of incense is actually an ancient tradition in many religions of the world. Our use of incense comes from Judaism, which used incense in the rituals of the Temple.

Originally, in Judaism, incense actually had a very practical purpose. You see, the Jews would often pray at the Temple by sacrificing animals to God. Imagine hundreds and hundreds of animals being ritually sacrificed–and imagine the smell. Yup, that’s right. Incense started as a way to give a sweet smell to the animals being offered up in sacrifice.

Over time, however, incense was given a more spiritual meaning. In Psalm 141:2, we hear: “Let my prayer rise before you like incense.” The fragrant smoke rising up toward heaven came to represent our prayers rising up to God like a pleasant aroma. That’s also why we hear in Revelation: “Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a gold censer. He was given a great quantity of incense to offer, along with the prayers of all the holy ones, on the gold altar that was before the throne. The smoke of the incense along with the prayers of the holy ones went up before God from the hand of the angel” (8:3-4).

That’s why we offer incense during Mass. We no longer sacrifice animals, but we do participate in the one sacrifice of Christ on the Cross, and so we offer up our prayers to the Father through Jesus like fragrant incense.