Ambry
by
Paul Turner
Ambry
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| An ambry is the cabinet where holy oils are stored. Every
church has one, though many people do not know what it is called.
We keep three oils there * the oil for anointing the sick, the oil for anointing catechumens and chrism for baptism, confirmation, priesthood and the consecration of altars. The bishop blesses these oils in large containers at the chrism Mass every year. Then they are poured into smaller vessels and brought to all the parishes of the diocese. The ambry should be replenished with fresh oil every year. The old oil may be burned. The shape and size of ambries vary quite a bit. The church gives few specific instructions about its appearance. After the chrism Mass, the bishop is to instruct the presbyters in the sacristy about the "reverent use and safe custody of the holy oils." After a priest anoints the sick, he is instructed to return the extra oil to a place "where it is reverently kept." According to canon law, pastors should carefully keep all the oils "in a fitting manner." With those vague instructions the design for an ambry needs only be appropriate for its sacred contents and safe from vandalism, theft or some other harm. The ambry may be visible or concealed. Many churches have an ambry built into a wall of the sacristy. Accessible to priests but virtually invisible to people, the ambry was often located there, where it would not intrude on the Mass. However, since ambries were kept locked with a key that could easily be lost, many priests have simply kept the oils in a sacristy closet or safe. More and more, Catholic parishes are building beautiful ambries and placing them where they can be seen. We have a great respect for the sacraments in which we use these holy oils. By keeping them in dignified vessels and displaying them in a handsome, well-lit case, the faithful can better regard their significance. Canon law also permits a priest to carry the oil of the sick with him in case of necessity. Most priests carry a small container in the glove compartment of their car. Copyright
© 1997, Resource Publications, Inc. 160 E. Virginia St. #290, San
Jose, CA 95112, (408) 286-8505. This article may not be reproduced in any
form without permission from the publisher. For permission e-mail
info@rpinet.com.
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