By Dan Sullivan
Catholic Herald
Three holy oils blessed at chrism Mass
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At the chrism Mass, deacons and members of the diocese carried oils to the bishop to be blessed and consecrated. Deacon Michael Cullen carries one of three large jars of oil. Later in the liturgy, the large jars were placed in a special cabinet in the cathedral. (Catholic Herald photo by Jeff Peters) |
SUPERIOR -- The three holy oils that will be used for sacraments and anointing rituals in parishes during the year were blessed by Bishop Raphael M. Fliss during the annual chrism Mass March 15, at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Superior.
They are the oil of the sick, the oil of the catechumens and the sacred chrism.
"These three oils touch significant moments of human life," said Benedictine Fr. Gabriel Baltes, director of the diocesan Office of Worship. "They are transitional moments or rites of passage moments."
The use of oil is ancient. "In Mediterranean culture, oil is synonymous with life," Baltes said. "It was used for many things. It was used for cleansing, healing, cooking and for athletic events. Oils were a part of life."
The church recognizes that these oils are ordinary elements of the world, which become sacramentals. "Grace works through the very common things that nature provides," Baltes said.
In ancient times oil was a symbol of struggle. "The church adopted that symbol of the struggle the Christians would undergo the rest of their lives with evil," Baltes said.
As a strengthening agent, the oils are meant to prepare catechumens or those who will be baptized into the Catholic faith in parishes of the diocese during the Easter Vigil.
"It makes him or her aware of the whole Christian way of life that includes struggles with the forces of evil," Baltes said.
The oil of the sick is used on those who suffer with physical or emotional illness.
"This oil is used to ritualize a transition from sickness to health," Baltes said. "It shows that the church is very present at these critical moments of existence."
The sacred chrism is used in a number of rites. During the ordination of a priest, it is used to anoint his hands, and it is poured on the head of a newly ordained bishop. Sacred chrism is also used during the dedication of churches, including the rite to dedicate the cathedral in February.
"It was used to anoint the altar and the walls," Baltes said.
Sacred chrism is also used during baptism and confirmation.
These oils, blessed by the bishop and taken to the far reaches of northern Wisconsin, extending out to the 110 parishes in 16 counties of the diocese, demonstrate the unity of the local church.
"It's important that these oils come from one source," Baltes said. "It starts with the chief shepherd and goes out to every individual person."
It's also important to celebrate this rite at the cathedral. "The cathedral is the mother church of the diocese" Baltes said. "It's the bishop's church and he is the chief liturgist of the diocese."
The traditional day to celebrate the chrism Mass is Holy Thursday.
"But that's extremely impractical because of the travel that parishioners would have to do, not to mention all the other liturgical requirements that take place that night," Baltes said
© Superior Catholic Herald, 2005