Joshua Bennett
Holy oil is a sacred element in the Christian tradition, with various liturgical uses. In Catholicism, holy oil is used as a sign of God's grace and presence in the lives of the faithful, with three types of holy oils used in sacraments: the Oil of Catechumens, the Oil of the Sick, and the Holy Chrism. These oils are blessed annually by the bishop during Holy Week and distributed to parishes for use throughout the year. The Oil of Catechumens is used on those preparing for baptism, the Oil of the Sick is used to anoint the sick, and the Holy Chrism is used in the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and holy orders, marking a permanent spiritual change. While holy oil holds a significant place in Catholic tradition, it is also used by other Christian denominations, such as the Armenian Church, the Assyrian Church of the East, the Coptic Church, and others, each with its own unique rituals and beliefs surrounding holy anointing oil.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of holy oils | 3 |
| Types of holy oils | Holy Chrism, Oil of Catechumens, Oil of the Sick |
| Oil of Catechumens used for | Anointing those preparing for baptism |
| Oil of the Sick used for | Anointing the sick |
| Holy Chrism used for | Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Orders |
| Holy Chrism used during | Ordination of a priest, Consecration of a bishop, Consecration of a church, Blessing of an altar |
| Holy oil used by | Catholics, some Christians |
| Holy oil used in | Various sacraments, devotional practices, liturgies |
| Holy oil used by Christians for | Blessing, protection, healing |
| Holy oil used by Catholics for | Bless, heal, ordain, baptize, confirm |
| Holy oil preparation | Oil is blessed by a bishop during the Chrism Mass |
| Holy oil distribution | Oils are distributed to parishes for use throughout the year |
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What You'll Learn
The Oil of Catechumens
During the baptismal rite, after the consecration of the baptismal water, a vessel of the Oil of Catechumens is brought to the priest by the deacon. The priest then pours a portion of the oil into the baptismal font, making the sign of the cross with the oil three times, as all sing Alleluia. The priest then gathers some of the oil floating on the surface of the water and anoints the catechumen, making the sign of the cross on their brow, breast, between the shoulders, on the ears, hands and feet. The catechumen is then immediately baptised.
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The Oil of the Sick
The Anointing of the Sick is based on the Biblical text James 5:14-15, which says, "Is any man sick among you? Let him bring in the priests of the church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick man. And the Lord shall raise him up: and if he be in sins, they shall be forgiven him."
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The Holy Chrism
Holy Chrism, also known as chrism oil, is one of the three holy oils used by the Catholic Church, alongside the oil of the sick and the oil of catechumens. It is made of olive oil and scented with a sweet perfume, usually balsam. The bishop of the particular church consecrates the oil in the presence of the presbyterium during the annual Chrism Mass, which takes place during Holy Week, usually on Holy Thursday.
The ritual for creating and consecrating holy chrism differs from that of the other two holy oils. To make it, the bishop mixes oil from the balsam plant with olive oil, breathes on the mixture to signify the presence of the Holy Spirit, and then says a prayer to consecrate it. Once blessed, the chrism is no longer an ordinary ointment but a holy gift from God, symbolising cleansing, strengthening, healing, comfort, and the life-giving grace of the Holy Spirit.
Holy Chrism is used in the sacraments of confirmation and holy orders, as well as in the consecration of churches, bishops, priests, and chalices. During confirmation, the bishop traces the Sign of the Cross with chrism oil on the forehead of the one being confirmed and says, " [Name], be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit." It is also used during the ordination of a priest and the consecration of a bishop. In the older form of the Roman Rite, priests are anointed in the hands with the oil of catechumens, while bishops are anointed in the head and hands with chrism.
Holy Chrism is also used in the blessing of an altar and the vessels used at Mass. In the past, it was used to consecrate patens and chalices, making the sign of the cross with the chrism on the interior parts of the vessels. Additionally, holy chrism has been used in coronation rites for the anointing of kings.
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The history of holy anointing oil
The use of holy anointing oil is mentioned in the Old Testament, where it is referred to as "holy, anointing oil". The recipe for this oil, which included myrrh, cinnamon, and other natural ingredients, can be found in Exodus 30:22–25. The anointing oil was used for pouring on the head of the high priest and his descendants and sprinkling the tabernacle and its furnishings to mark them as holy and set apart to the Lord. The Jews were forbidden from reproducing it for personal use, with the strict guidelines for creating the oil serving as a test of the obedience of the Israelites and a demonstration of the absolute holiness of God.
The use of anointing oil is also mentioned in the New Testament, where it is associated with healing. In Mark 6:13, the disciples anoint the sick and heal them. In Luke 10, oil is poured on wounds to heal them. In James 5:14, the church elders anoint the sick with oil for healing. In addition to healing, anointing oil is used as a devotional practice and in various liturgies.
The early Church used anointing oil because it had always been part of their culture and it was a way to show their spiritual belief in the physical realm. Anointing with oil was associated with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and connected with divine healing. The practice of using holy anointing oil has been continued by some segments of Christianity, including the Armenian Church, the Assyrian Church of the East, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and others.
In Catholic tradition, there are three holy oils used for a host of purposes: chrism, the oil of catechumens, and the oil of the sick. The oil of catechumens is used to anoint adults and infants prior to baptism, while the oil of the sick is used to anoint the sick to give them grace and strength to bear their illness. Chrism oil is used during confirmation, the ordination of priests, and the consecration of bishops, churches, and altars. It is also used during the blessing of vessels used at Mass.
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The use of holy oil in Christian communities
Holy oil is a sacred element in Christian communities, with a rich history and significance. It is used in various liturgies and devotional practices, often as a symbol of God's grace and presence in the lives of the faithful. While the specific use of holy oils may vary between different Christian denominations, it holds a prominent place in Catholic traditions.
The Use of Holy Oil in Catholic Communities
In the Catholic Church, three types of holy oils are used, each with specific purposes and roles in nurturing the spiritual lives of Catholics:
- Oil of Catechumens: This oil is used on catechumens, those preparing for baptism, as a sign of strength and protection. It is also used during the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), where it is anointed on individuals before they receive the Sacrament of Baptism.
- Oil of the Sick: This oil is used to anoint the sick, bringing spiritual, emotional, and physical healing. It is believed to be a sacred gift from God, signifying cleansing, strengthening, and comfort.
- Holy Chrism: This oil is unique as it is both blessed and consecrated by the bishop. It is used in the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders. During baptism, it marks one's entry into the Christian community. In confirmation, it seals the person with the Holy Spirit, empowering them to live out their faith boldly. In Holy Orders, it sets apart priests and bishops for ministry and service.
The holy oils are blessed annually by the bishop during the Chrism Mass, held during Holy Week. The ritual of creating the Holy Chrism involves mixing olive oil with balsam, a sweet-scented perfume, and breathing on the mixture to signify the presence of the Holy Spirit. The blessed oils are then distributed to parishes for sacramental use throughout the year.
Holy Oil in Other Christian Denominations
The use of holy anointing oil is not exclusive to the Catholic Church, and several other Christian denominations have continued this practice. These include the Armenian Church, the Assyrian Church of the East, the Coptic Church, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, among others. Each denomination may have its own specific rituals and significance attached to the use of holy oil.
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Frequently asked questions
Christians and Catholics both use holy anointing oil as a devotional practice, but the specific use of holy oil is more prominent in Catholic traditions.
There are three holy oils used by Catholics: the Oil of Catechumens, the Oil of the Sick, and the Holy Chrism.
The holy oils are used for a variety of purposes, including blessing, healing, ordaining, baptizing, and confirming. The Oil of Catechumens is used on those preparing for baptism, the Oil of the Sick is used to bless and heal the infirm, and the Holy Chrism is used in the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and holy orders.
