The Bishop, joined by the priests of the diocese, gathers at the Cathedral to celebrate the Chrism Mass.  This Mass manifests the unity of the priests with their Bishop.  Here the Bishop blesses three oils– the Oil of Catechumens (Oleum Catechumenorum or Oleum Sanctorum), the Oil of the Infirm (Oleum Infirmorum), and Holy Chrism (Sacrum Chrisma)– which will be used in the administration of the sacraments throughout the diocese for the year.

Throughout the Bible, various references indicate the importance of olive oil in daily life. Oil was used in cooking, particularly in the making of bread, that basic food substance for nourishment (e.g. Number 11:7-9); as a fuel for lamps (e.g. Matthew 25:1-9); and as a healing agent in medicine (e.g. Isaiah 1:6 and Luke 10:34).  Moreover, with oil the Jews anointed the head of a guest as a sign of welcome (e.g. Luke 7:46), beautified one’s appearance (e.g. Ruth 3:3), and prepared a body for burial (e.g. Mark 16:1).  In religious practices, the Jews also used oil to dedicate a memorial stone in honor of God (e.g. Genesis 28:18); to consecrate the meeting tent, the ark of the covenant, the table, the lampstand, the laver, the altar of incense, and the altar of holocausts (e.g. Exodus 31:26-29); and to offer sacrifices (e.g. Exodus 29:40). 

Sacred Scripture also attests to the spiritual symbolism of oil.  For instance, Psalm 23:5 reads, “You anoint my head with oil,” signifying favor and strength from the Lord; and Psalm 45:8 reads, “You love justice and hate wickedness; therefore, God your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellow kings,” signifying the special designation from God and the joy from being his servant.  Moreover, to be “the anointed” of the Lord indicated receiving a special vocation from the Lord and the empowered with the Holy Spirit to fulfill that vocation: Therefore, the symbolism of oil is rich– sanctification, healing, strengthening, beautification, dedication, consecration, and sacrifice.

Given this heritage, the early Church adopted the use of olive oil for its sacramental rituals. The “Oil of Catechumens” is used in connection with the Sacrament of Baptism.  St. Hippolytus in his Apostolic Tradition (AD 215) wrote of an “Oil of Exorcism” used to anoint the candidates immediately before baptism.  This practice still continues: In the current baptismal liturgy, the priest offers the prayer of exorcism and then anoints the person to be baptized on the chest, saying, “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.”   Anointing with the Oil of Catechumens following a prayer of exorcism may also take place during the period of the Catechumenate on one or several occasions.  In both cases, this anointing symbolizes the person’s need for the help and strength of God to sever the bondage of the past and to overcome the opposition of the devil so that he may profess his faith, come to baptism, and live as a child of God.

To be Continued…