...Know Your Faith

WHAT ARE THE OILS USED FOR THE SACRAMENT AND HOW THEY ARE USED? - Continued from last week - Rev. Fr. Clement Quagraine


The Oil of the Infirm is used in the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick (formerly known as Extreme Unction).  St. James wrote, “Is there anyone sick among you?  He should ask for the priests of the church.  They in turn are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the Name of the Lord.  This prayer uttered in faith will reclaim the one who is ill, and the Lord will restore him to health.  If he has committed any sins, forgiveness will be his” (James 5:1415).  The Apostolic Tradition of St. Hippolytus recorded one of the earliest formulas for blessing the Oil of the Infirm.  Also, in the early Church, a priest (or several priests) would bless this oil at the time it was to be used, a tradition that has been retained in the Eastern Churches.  However, in the Latin Rite, at least since the time of the Middles Ages, priests have used oil blessed by the bishop; for instance, St. Boniface in 730 ordered all priests in Germany to use the Oil of the Infirm blessed by bishops only.  Presently, the priest, anointing the forehead of the person, says, “Through this holy anointing, may the Lord in His love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit,” and then anointing his hands, says, “May the Lord who frees you from sin, save you and raise you up.”  Another body part may also be anointed if the hands are not   accessible or if there is another particular need.

 

Finally, Holy Chrism is a mixture of olive oil and balsam, an aromatic resin.  This oil is linked with the sanctification of individuals.  In the Old Testament times, the priest, prophets and kings of the Jewish people were anointed.  This oil is used in the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders, since they impart an indelible sacramental character.  The blessing of the Holy Chrism is different from that of the other oils: Here the Bishop breathes over the vessel of chrism, a gesture which symbolizes both the Holy Spirit coming down to consecrate this oil, and the life-giving, sanctifying nature of the character sacraments for which it is used.  (Recall how our Lord “breathed” on the apostles on the night of Easter, saying, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’” (John 20:22).)  The concelebrants at the Chrism Mass also extend their right hands toward the chrism as the bishop says the consecratory prayer, signifying that in union with their bishop they share “in the authority by which Christ Himself builds up and sanctifies and rules His Body,” the Church (Vatican II, Decree on the Ministry and Life of Priests. #2)

To be continued....