Why Anglo-Catholics Use Incense
Incense is one of the most distinctive and ancient practices in Anglo-Catholic worship. It’s not just “smells and bells” for the sake of tradition — it has deep biblical, historical, and spiritual meaning.
1. Biblical Foundation
In the Old Testament, incense was commanded by God as a central part of worship in the Temple (Exodus 30:1-9). It symbolized:
The prayers of the people rising to God (Psalm 141:2 – “Let my prayer be counted as incense before you”)
Purity and holiness
The presence of God (the smoke filling the Temple in Isaiah 6)
In the New Testament, incense appears in heavenly worship (Revelation 5:8, 8:3-4), where the prayers of the saints are offered with incense before God’s throne.
Anglo-Catholics see the use of incense in worship as a continuation of this biblical pattern.
2. Symbolic Meanings
Incense carries several powerful layers of meaning in Anglo-Catholic tradition:
Prayer: As the smoke rises, it visibly represents our prayers ascending to God.
Sacrifice: In the Eucharist, incense is often used at the Offertory and Consecration to symbolize the offering of Christ’s sacrifice and our own lives.
Sanctification: The incense blesses and sets apart the altar, the gifts, the priest, and the people as holy to God.
Joy and Celebration: Incense expresses festal joy — it is used especially on major feast days, during processions, and at solemn Eucharist.
The Presence of God: The cloud of incense reminds us of the Shekinah glory — the manifest presence of God among His people.
3. Historical Continuity
Anglo-Catholics use incense because we stand in continuity with:
The early Church (incense was used in Christian worship by the 4th century)
The undivided Church of East and West for nearly 1,500 years
The Catholic tradition recovered in the 19th-century Oxford Movement
Many early Anglican Prayer Books assumed the use of incense, and it was widely practiced until the Reformation. The Anglo-Catholic revival simply restored this ancient practice.
4. Pastoral and Evangelistic Value
It engages the senses — worship is not just intellectual but involves sight, smell, sound, and movement.
It creates a sense of reverence and transcendence.
For many people (especially those from non-liturgical backgrounds), incense helps them experience worship as something “different” and holy.
A Simple Explanation You Can Use
“We use incense because it is an ancient and beautiful way of offering our prayers to God. Just as the smoke rises, so our worship and prayers ascend to the throne of grace. It also reminds us that in the Holy Eucharist, heaven touches earth.”
At St. Barnabas Church we use incense every Sunday. Come and experience it for yourself.