Holy oils
The importance
of olive oil in daily life is referenced throughout the Bible. It was used
in baking bread, as a healing agent, as a beauty preparation, to anoint
the head of a guest in a sign of welcome, as fuel for light, in sacrificial
rituals, and to prepare a body for burial.
Holy
Week is dense with symbol and ritual. Between Passion Sunday and the paschal
Triduum, the Chrism Mass is celebrated. During this liturgy, in the rite
of the blessing of oils and consecrating the chrism, the bishop prepares
the sacred oils for use in the diocese. These oils are the first symbol
to be ritually introduced at the Triduum on Holy Thursday evening, using
words similar to these:
We
bring the blessed oil of the sick for anointing of all who suffer in mind
and body. By this holy anointing, may the sick gain strength, be released
from fear, and receive the consolation of faith.
We
bring the blessed oil of the catechumens, for anointing of those preparing
for baptism. By this anointing, may they be strengthened in their journey
to the waters of new birth.
We
bring the holy chrism, a mixture of oil and fragrant perfume, for anointing
the baptized, confirmed, presbyters, bishops, and the altar and house of
the church. By this anointing, we confer the presence and essence of the
Holy Spirit.
As
you prepare for Triduum, carefully consider how to present and store the
new oils and how to dispose of last year’s.
Preparing
for the Chrism Mass
Any
oils left from the previous year must be removed to other vessels. These
oils can be later used to ignite the Easter fire and to fuel burning palm
branches for next year’s ashes.
Generally,
each parish is responsible for providing a quantity of oil for the Chrism
Mass. Purchase only the finest extra virgin olive oil. “Light” isn’t appropriate;
you want the first press — its fullest form. Deliver the oil and vessels
the day before the Chrism Mass. I recommend that you place the vessels
in a basket or some other carrier so the blessed and consecrated oils can
be safely transported back to your parish. Don’t forget to designate someone
for this task.
Obtain
the finest vessels for the decanting of the oils. In biblical times, no
one ever anointed with a dab; this would be a poor expression of the symbol.
Vessels should be large enough to hold an ample supply of oil for pouring.
Don’t spare the expense of vessels of silver, crystal, or clay. Work with
an artisan to produce the most beautiful, personalized vessels. The auxiliary
“traveling” vessels should also be large enough for pouring. Antique perfume
bottles are perfect for this. Each vessel should bear an inscription or
label of the oil contained. This may be the traditional Latin inscription
or the colloquial language of the community.
Ambry
Generally,
the ambry is a component of the baptistery, though it may be in the presbytery
or sacristy. Current common practice is to keep oils near the baptismal
font in a locked cabinet made of glass or solid construction, and sometimes
lighted. Lighting is a nice touch, but the light source should not generate
heat or it will turn the oil rancid quickly. Optical lighting is readily
available through most lighting sources.
Presenting
and storing
The
altar is no place for display or reservation of the holy oils, either before
or after the celebration. While official norms are sketchy, the fact is
that the use of the altar as a “side table” or “display table” detracts
from the centrality, symbol, and ritual purpose of the altar.
Present
each of the oils with reverence and ceremony. After the presentation, place
them in the ambry. Do not, as I witnessed at one parish, leave the sacred
oils on a table in front of the sanctuary as an element of the environment.
This is a form of insincerity that trivializes the symbol.
This
year, provide the best possible way to present, store, and use the holy
oils. Support that decision with well-executed vessels that are the best
your parish can afford. Providing ample quantities in larger vessels will
encourage a robust use of the oils. Work with your liturgy team to present
the oils with reverence and dignity on Holy Thursday and then provide a
safe environment for their storage and display throughout the year.
ML
What do YOU
Think?
Send an e-mail
to ML Editor or post an entry
on the ML Current Issue Discussion Board.
(All submissions become the property of RPI and may be edited for length.) |
