Michael Brooks
In the Catholic Church, several types of oil are used in the Sacrament of Baptism. The Oil of Catechumens, also known as the Oil of Exorcism, is used to anoint the person being baptised on the chest. This symbolises their need for God's help and strength to overcome evil and temptation. The Oil of Catechumens is made from pure olive oil and is blessed by the priest during the baptismal rite. Holy Chrism, a mixture of olive oil and balsam, is also used in baptism. After the baptism, the priest anoints the person on the crown of their head with chrism, saying, God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has freed you from sin and given you a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit. He now anoints with the chrism of salvation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Oil of Catechumens, Oil of Exorcism, Holy Chrism |
| Base | Olive oil |
| Additives | Balsam, an aromatic resin |
| Purpose | To strengthen the one being baptised to turn away from evil, temptation and sin |
| Anointing location | Chest, head |
| Anointing phrase | "We anoint you with the oil of salvation in the name of Christ our Savior; may He strengthen you with His power, who lives and reigns forever and ever." |
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What You'll Learn
Oil of Catechumens
The Oil of Catechumens, also known as the Oil of Exorcism, is used in some traditional Christian churches during baptism. It is believed to strengthen the person being baptised, empowering them to turn away from evil, temptation, and sin. The oil is typically made from pure olive oil.
In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Oil of Catechumens is blessed by the priest during the baptismal rite. After the consecration of the baptismal water, a vessel of pure olive oil is brought to the priest by the deacon. The priest breathes on the oil three times and blesses it thrice, while saying a prayer.
In the Roman Catholic Church, the Oil of Catechumens is blessed by a bishop or a priest during the Chrism Mass, which takes place on Holy Thursday. The priest 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 anoints the catechumen, making the sign of the cross on their brow, breast, between the shoulders, on the ears, hands, and feet.
The Oil of Catechumens is one of the three holy oils used in the Catholic Church, along with the Oil of the Sick and the Holy Chrism Oil. Each of these oils has a distinct purpose and significance in the Church's liturgical life. The Oil of Catechumens is specifically used to prepare individuals for baptism, helping them to deepen their understanding of the Gospel and strengthen their resolve to lead a Christian life.
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Oil of Exorcism
The oil used in Catholic baptism is known as the "Oil of Catechumens", or the "Oil of Exorcism". It is used in some traditional Christian churches during baptism and is believed to strengthen the person being baptised, preparing them to turn away from evil, temptation, and sin. The oil is mentioned in ancient Christian apostolic tradition, where it is described as being "used before baptisms to put to flight any contagions that might obstruct the impending baptismal graces".
The Oil of Exorcism is derived from pure olive oil, which is blessed by a priest during the baptismal rite. The priest breathes on the oil three times, blessing it thrice, and says a prayer of blessing. The oil is then poured into the baptismal font, and the priest anoints the catechumen, or person prepared for baptism, by making the sign of the cross on their brow, breast, between the shoulders, on the ears, hands, and feet.
The catechumen is anointed as a symbol of being the heir of the Kingdom of God, in the same way that kings and queens are anointed at coronations. This act of anointment is also believed to empower the catechumen for their Christian life, in the same way that prophets were anointed for their ministry. The Oil of Exorcism is intended to strengthen and prepare the catechumen for the struggles and challenges they may face as a Christian.
In the Roman Catholic Church, the Oil of Catechumens is blessed by a bishop or priest, along with two other sacred oils: chrism and the oil of the sick. This blessing ceremony takes place during the Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday.
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Olive oil
The Oil of Catechumens is typically made from pure olive oil, which is blessed by a priest during the baptismal rite. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, for example, the priest blesses the oil by breathing on it three times and saying a prayer of blessing. This ritual symbolises the need for God's help and strength in overcoming evil and temptation, as well as the person's new identity as a child of God.
During the baptism ceremony, the priest anoints the person being baptised with the blessed olive oil. This anointing often takes place on the chest, with the priest saying, "We anoint you with the oil of salvation in the name of Christ our Saviour; may He strengthen you with His power, who lives and reigns forever and ever." In some traditions, the person may also be anointed on the crown of the head with the words, "God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has freed you from sin and given you a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit. He now anoints with the chrism of salvation."
The use of olive oil in Catholic baptism rituals carries a rich symbolic meaning. Olive oil has long been associated with purification and consecration. By anointing individuals with olive oil, the Church symbolically prepares them for their new life, free from sin and empowered by the Holy Spirit. This practice is rooted in the ancient Christian tradition mentioned by St. Hippolytus in his Apostolic Tradition, where an "Oil of Exorcism" was used to anoint candidates before baptism.
In addition to the Oil of Catechumens, another type of oil used in Catholic sacraments is the Holy Chrism. This oil is a mixture of olive oil and balsam, an aromatic resin. Holy Chrism is used in the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders, imparting a sacramental character to those who receive it.
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Chrism
Once blessed, the chrism is no longer an ordinary ointment but a holy, precious gift from God to the Church. It signifies cleansing and strengthening, healing and comfort, and the life-giving grace of the Holy Spirit. It is used in the administration of the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and holy orders, in the consecration of churches, chalices, patens, altars, and altar stones, and in the solemn blessing of bells and baptismal water.
In the sacrament of baptism, if the person is not to be immediately confirmed or chrismated, the minister anoints them with chrism on the head. In confirmation, the bishop traces the Sign of the Cross with chrism on the forehead of the one being confirmed and says, " [Name], be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit." Newly ordained priests are anointed with chrism on the palms of their hands, and newly ordained bishops receive an anointing of chrism on their foreheads.
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Oil of Thanksgiving
The Oil of Catechumens, also known as the Oil of Exorcism, is used in some traditional Christian churches during baptism. It is believed to strengthen the person being baptised, empowering them to turn away from evil, temptation and sin.
In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Oil of Catechumens is blessed by the priest during the baptismal rite. After the consecration of the baptismal water, a vessel of pure
In the Catholic Church, St. Hippolytus in the Apostolic Tradition (AD 215) mentions the use of an "Oil of Thanksgiving" or the Oil of Exorcism for anointing after the actual baptism. The priest anoints the person on the crown of the head with chrism, saying:
> "God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has freed you from sin and given you a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit. He now anoints with the chrism of salvation. As Christ was anointed Priest, Prophet, and King, so may you live always as a member of His body, sharing everlasting life. Amen."
The Oil of Thanksgiving, or the Oil of Catechumens, is thus used in Catholic baptism as a symbol of the person's need for God's help and strength to overcome evil and live as a child of God.
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Frequently asked questions
Holy Chrism, a mixture of olive oil and balsam, is used in the Sacrament of Baptism. The Oil of Catechumens, or Oil of Exorcism, is also used in Catholic baptism.
Holy Chrism is a mixture of olive oil and balsam, an aromatic resin. It is used in the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders.
Holy Chrism is linked with the sanctification of individuals. In the Old Testament, Jewish priests, prophets, and kings were anointed with this oil.
The Oil of Catechumens, also known as the Oil of Exorcism, is used in some traditional Christian churches during baptism. It is believed to strengthen the person being baptized and prepare them to turn away from evil, temptation, and sin.
In Catholic baptism, the priest offers a prayer of exorcism and then anoints the person being baptized on the chest with the Oil of Catechumens.
