The Significance of the Use of Incense in the Catholic Church In the Catholic Church, incense holds deep spiritual and symbolic significance, rooted in Scripture and tradition. Its rising smoke represents the prayers of the faithful ascending to heaven, echoing Psalm 141:2: “Let my prayer be incense before you.” During Mass, incense is often used at key moments such as the procession, the proclamation of the Gospel, the consecration of the Eucharist, and the veneration of the altar, cross, or sa