Rachel Evans
Oil is a significant element in the Bible, used for a wide variety of purposes, including cooking and baking. In Catholicism, oil is used as a symbol of God's blessings, and it is often blessed by priests during ceremonies and sacraments. While the Church forbids laypeople from blessing each other with oil, individuals can bless their own oil for personal devotional use through private prayer. This practice is separate from the three holy oils used by priests: Chrism, Oil of the Catechumens, and Oil of the Sick.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Use of oil | Cooking, baking, anointing |
| Who can bless oil? | Priests, Bishops |
| Who can bless others with oil? | Ordained Catholic priests, parents to children, husbands to wives |
| Who cannot bless oil? | Lay people |
| Who cannot bless others with oil? | Lay people |
| Types of oil | Olive oil, cassia oil, hyssop oil, Chrism, Oil of the Catechumens, Oil of the Sick |
| Holy oils | Chrism, Oil of the Catechumens, Oil of the Sick |
| Oil as a symbol | Fullness of God's blessings |
| Oil mentioned in | Luke 10:34, Mark 6:13, Jeremiah 31:12, Psalms, Deuteronomy 33:24 |
| Oil mentioned in relation to | Holy Spirit, Jesus, anointing |
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What You'll Learn
The Church forbids laypeople to use oils for anointing
The Catholic Church forbids laypeople from using oils for anointing other people. This is because the act of anointing is seen as a sacrament, and only priests are authorised to administer sacraments. The Church also prohibits non-sacramental anointings, as there is a risk of confusion among the laity and a potential neglect of the sacrament.
The Church's position on this matter is outlined in the 1997 Instruction on Collaboration, which states that "the non-ordained faithful particularly assist the sick by being with them in difficult moments, encouraging them to receive the Sacraments of Penance and the Anointing of the Sick". The document further emphasises that "in no instance may the non-ordained perform anointings, either with the Oil of the Sick or any other oil".
The Oil of the Sick, also known as the oil of unction, is one of the three holy oils used by the Catholic Church. The other two are the oil of catechumens and holy chrism oil. The Oil of the Sick is used in the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, where the priest anoints the sick or elderly person with oil in the form of a cross on their forehead and hands. This sacrament is believed to bring spiritual, emotional, and physical healing to the recipient.
While laypeople cannot anoint others, they can still use blessed oil for personal devotional purposes, such as cooking, as long as it is not presented as a sacrament. It is important to note that the oil itself is not a carrier of spiritual power, and one should not treat it as such. When using blessed oil on another person, it is advisable to inform them that it is not one of the sacred oils of the Church and is not a sacrament.
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Holy oils are reserved for ordained priests
Oil has been a symbol of God's blessing and has been used for a wide variety of purposes, including cooking and baking. Blessed oil can be used by laypeople for personal use and when praying for the sick. However, it is important to note that blessed oil is not the same as holy oils, which include Chrism, the Oil of Catechumens, and the Oil of the Sick. These holy oils are used in the administration of the Sacraments and are reserved for ordained priests to anoint others.
The Anointing of the Sick, for example, is strictly reserved for ordained Catholic priests. During this sacrament, the priest anoints the sick with Oil of the Sick to comfort them in their infirmity. This oil is blessed by the bishop during the Chrism Mass, which is celebrated on Holy Thursday morning or an earlier day near Easter. The Oil of Catechumens is also blessed by the bishop during this Mass and is used to prepare catechumens for baptism.
The Chrism Mass is a significant event that showcases the Bishop's Priesthood and the close bond between the priests and him. The sacred Chrism, which is consecrated by the bishop, is used to anoint the newly baptized and those being confirmed. This oil is made holy by mixing it with fragrances or other aromatic materials, usually balsam.
While laypeople cannot bless others with oil, they can still use blessed oil for themselves and in their prayers. It is essential to distinguish between the Sacrament of the Sick and the sacramental use of blessed oil. Blessed oil is not a carrier of spiritual power but a symbol of God's grace, and it can be used for cooking, lamps, massage, and other purposes without anointing others.
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Olive oil is the preferred oil for blessing
Olive oil is also the preferred oil for blessing because it is mentioned in the Bible for its use in cooking and baking. For example, in Luke 10:34, a man "poured oil and wine over [a victim's] wounds and bandaged them". In Mark 6:13, people "anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them". In Psalm 23:5, "You anoint my head with oil".
In addition to its symbolic significance, olive oil is also a practical choice for blessing because it is readily available and has a long shelf life. This makes it a suitable option for use in Catholic sacraments and blessings, which often involve the use of oils.
While olive oil is the preferred oil for blessing, other types of plant-based oils can also be used if olive oil is unavailable. This is in accordance with the Roman ritual of anointing, which states that the minister of anointing should "replenish [the oil] from time to time, either yearly when the bishop blesses the oil on Holy Thursday or more frequently if necessary" (Canon 847).
Overall, olive oil holds a special significance in the Catholic Church as a symbol of God's blessings and is therefore the preferred oil for blessing.
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Oil can be blessed by a priest during the Chrism Mass
The Catholic Church makes use of three holy oils: the Oil of the Sick, the Oil of Catechumens, and the Holy Chrism Oil. The first two oils are blessed by a priest, while the third is consecrated by a bishop. This typically occurs during the annual Chrism Mass, celebrated by the bishop with their priests on Holy Thursday morning or an earlier day near Easter.
During the Chrism Mass, the Oil of the Sick is presented first, followed by the Oil of Catechumens, and finally, the oil for the Holy Chrism. The bishop blesses each oil individually through prayer. The Oil of Catechumens, for instance, is blessed with a prayer that asks for three effects on "the catechumens who will be anointed with it": that they "may understand more deeply the Gospel of your Christ… may undertake with a generous heart the labors of the Christian life, and… may rejoice to be born anew and to live in your Church."
After the blessing, the oils are placed in a repository and transported to individual parishes, where they are available for use throughout the year. The Oil of the Sick is used for the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, in which a priest lays hands on the sick, says special prayers, and anoints the person with oil in the form of a cross on their forehead and hands. The Oil of Catechumens is used for the anointing of those preparing for baptism, to strengthen them in their resistance to evil and preparation for the saving waters of baptism. The Holy Chrism Oil, a mixture of olive oil and perfume, is used to anoint infants after baptism, during confirmation, and during the ordination of priests and consecration of bishops.
While the three holy oils are typically blessed by a priest or bishop, laypeople can also bless oil for personal devotional use. This oil can be used for cooking, lamps, massage, or eating. It is important to note that this blessed oil is not the same as the sacred oils of the Church and is not intended for administering the Sacraments.
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Oil is a rich symbol of life in Jesus
The tribe of Asher was blessed among all the tribes of Israel because "the oil of his olive trees runs over his feet" (Deuteronomy 33:24). This led to oil becoming a symbol of the fullness of God's blessings poured out through His Holy Spirit, and that the expected savior would be the Anointed One (Messiah or Christ). Oil has thus become a powerful symbol of our life in Jesus, or our sharing in His anointing and in the outpouring of His Holy Spirit.
The metaphor of oil—the visible and tangible liquid poured upon and absorbed by a human being—represents the invisible presence and action of the Holy Spirit. The idea of anointing with oil points to the Spirit upon an individual, even for the Son of God. The emphasis on Jesus Christ as the Anointed One plays on the metaphor of oil for the intense presence and action of the Holy Spirit.
In Jesus' parable of the ten virgins, the five foolish virgins did not bring oil with them and missed the bridegroom's arrival while they were out buying more. The parable teaches that only those who have the Spirit (or faith in Christ) are truly ready for Jesus' second coming. Olive oil can therefore be seen as a symbol of the Holy Spirit or of faith.
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Frequently asked questions
No, lay people cannot bless other lay people since they do not have authority over them. You can, however, ask a priest to bless your oil.
Blessed olive oil may be used in cooking.
Here is a prayer that can be used to bless oil: "O God, bless this oil for healing. In Your mercy, bring health to the whole person: body, mind, and spirit. May those who use it find new strength and courage to praise You, now and forever."
Oil is a symbol of God's blessings and is often used in cooking and baking. It is also used in anointing and in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Yes, blessed oil can be used for lamps, massage, and devotional purposes.
