A Concord Pastor Comments: Keeping a Holy Lent

Individuals are called to "keep a holy Lent." Parishes are called to "keep a holy Lent." Each local Church (diocese) is called to keep a holy Lent and each diocese celebrates a special liturgy in Lent in preparation for the Paschal Triduum and the "paschal year" ahead of us...

Holy Oils and the Chrism Mass

In Holy Week (or the week before) in every diocese, the bishop blesses and consecrates the holy oils to be used for the sacraments of initiation (baptism, confirmation, eucharist) at the Easter Vigil and for the celebration of the sacraments through the year until next Easter. The oils are pictured here in vessels bearing the initials of their titles, in Latin:

Oleum Catechumenorum - OC - Oil of Catechumens
Sacra Chrisma - SC - Sacred Chrism
Oleum Infirmorum - OI - Oil of the sick

The Oil of Catehcumens is used for anointing those who are preparing for baptism.

Sacred Chrism is used in celebrating the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and holy orders.

The Oil of the Sick is used for anointing those who are seriously ill.

It's customary for the priests of the diocese to gather with their bishop for the celebration of this liturgy. The oils are blessed in very large urns and then after the Mass a priest, deacon or parishioner has the parish vessels filled with the oils to bring home. Oils are stored in a cabinet called an ambry.

Over the next few days the oils will be blessed in cathedral churches around the world. In many parishes, the oils are formally presented to the parish during the entrance rite of the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday. As they oils are presented and received, the following words are prayed:

Oil of Catechumens
Through anointing with this oil may our catechumens who are preparing to receive the savings waters of baptism be strengthened by Christ to resist the power of Satan and reject evil in all its forms.

Sacred Chrism
Through anointing with this perfumed Chrism may children and adults, who are baptized and confirmed, and presbyters, who are ordained, experience the gracious gift of the Holy Spirit.

Oil of the Sick
May the sick who are anointed with this oil experience the compassion of Christ and his saving love, in body and soul.

As the Chrism Mass is celebrated in your diocese, pray for those who are preparing for the sacraments of initiation at the Easter Vigil; pray for those who will be baptized, confirmed and ordained in the year ahead of us; and pray for those who will be anointed with the oil of the sick.