What does incense depict during a Catholic Mass?

Answer 1

The priest or altar boy swings the incense in different directions, but always in groups of three, for the purpose of distributing the smoke evenly.

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Answer

When swinging the incense, there is a set pattern, the Blessed Sacrament gets three double swings, the celebrant of the Mass gets one double swing, and the congregation gets three single swings. The gifts on the altar have a complicated pattern of circles, so many to the right, and then to the left. And the altar itself has a series of single swings all around it. "Symbolically it represents the consuming zeal of the Christian, the good odour of virtue and the going-up of prayer and good works to God, and to offer it before a person or thing is a makr of honour thereto." fromA Catholic Dictionary, edited by Donald Attwater, Second edition, revised 1957

Answer 2

There are literally thousands of Catholic Churches all around the world, and they all buy their incense from different dealers and different countries. However, one of the more prevalent is frankincense based, although there are even a lot of those. To find out a particular one that you liked, ask the sacristan at the Church where it was used.

Answer 3

Catholic Answer

Symbolically it represents the consuming zeal of the Christ, the good odour of virtue and the going-up of prayer and good works to God, and to offer it before a person or thing is a mark of honour thereto. (from A Catholic Dictionary, edited by Donald Attwater, Second edition, revised 1957)

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from Modern Catholic Dictionary by John A. Hardon, S.J. Doubleday & Co., Inc. Garden City, NY 1980

Incense. Aromatic gum or resin in the form of powder or grains that give off a fragrant smoke when they are burned. When blessed it is a symbolic sacramental. Its burning signifies zeal or fervor; its fragrance, virtue; its rising smoke, human prayer ascending to God. It is used at Mass, for the Gospel book, the altar, the people, the ministers, and the bread and wine; before consecration; at benediction of the Blessed Sacrament; during processions; and at absolutions of the dead. When it is to be used, it is carried in a metal cup-shaped container and burned in a thurible or censer. Five large grains of it are placed in the Paschal candle at the Easter Vigil to symbolize the Five Wounds of the Risen Savior. In some countries it is placed in a stationary censer to burn slowly before the Blessed Sacrament, either exposed or reserved on the altar. (Etym. Latin incensum, incense; literally, something burned; from incendere, to kindle.)

Answer 4

I think the custom borrows from other middle-eastern, Jewish or Indian customs where incense represents 'the prayers of the faithful' going up to God.

Answer 5

The fragrant smoke of incense symbolizing our prayers rising to Heaven and purifying what it touches.

Answer 6

Roman Catholic AnswerIncense is burned at Mass for the greater glory of God.