THE USE OF OLIVE OIL IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

THE USE OF OLIVE OIL IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

 

THE OILS CHRISM, SICK AND CATECHUMENS

There are three kinds of sacred oils, all of which signify the work of the Holy Spirit and symbolize it in that oil “serves to sweeten, to strengthen, to render supple” (Catholic Encyclopedia). The three holy oils are:

1. The Oil of Catechumens (“Oleum Catechumenorum” or “Oleum Sanctum”) strengthens the candidate with the power to renounce the devil and sin before they go to the font of life for rebirth.
[The Order of Blessing the Oil of Catechumens and of the Sick and of Consecrating the Chrism (OBO), no. 2] The prayer of blessing asks for three effects on "the catechumens who will be anointed with it": that they "may understand more deeply the Gospel of your Christ… may undertake with a generous heart the labors of the Christian life, and… may rejoice to be born anew and to live in your Church" (OBO, no. 22). The oil of catechumens is used just before the sacrament of baptism, when the bishop, priest or deacon anoints the chest of those to be baptized, symbolizing the catechumen’s need for God’s help and strength to overcome the bonds of sin. (It is also used in other rites, such as the ordination of priests, the consecration of churches or the blessing of altars).

2. The Holy Chrism (“Sanctum Chrisma”) or “Oil of Gladness,” which is olive oil mixed with a small amount of balm or balsam. It is used in Confirmation, Baptism, in the consecration of a Bishop, ordination of new priests, the consecration of a various things such as churches, chalices, patens, and bells. Sacred Chrism shows that through Baptism, Christians have been incorporated into the Paschal Mystery of Christ. Having died, been buried and risen with him, they are sharers in his kingly and prophetic Priesthood. Through Confirmation they are given the spiritual anointing of the Holy Spirit.
— OBO, no. 2 The high point of the ritual is the consecration of the Chrism, which is made by mixing the oil "with fragrances or other aromatic material" (OBO, no. 4), usually balsam. Before saying the Prayer of Consecration, "the Bishop, if appropriate, breathes upon the opening of the vessel of the Chrism" (OBO, no. 25). Chrism is a sign of the Holy Spirit, and this action by the Bishop recalls the Spirit of God "moving over the face of the waters" at creation (Gen 1:12) and Jesus' resurrection appearance to the disciples in which "he breathed on them and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit'" (Jn 20:22). The Bishop then invites the people to pray in silence before he consecrates the Chrism. There are two options for the consecratory prayer. In the first option, the Prayer of Consecration asks God "to sanctify with his blessing this oil in its richness, and to pour into it the strength of the Holy Spirit, with the powerful working" of Christ (OBO, no. 25-1). The second option provides a rich description of the uses of holy Chrism: "Pour out in abundance the gifts of the Holy Spirit on our brothers and sisters anointed with this oil; adorn with the splendor of holiness the places and things signed by sacred oils; but above all, by the mystery of this oil, bring to completion the growth of your Church" (OBO, no. 25-2). The Holy Chrism is used to anoint the forehead of those receiving the sacrament of confirmation, as well as in the consecration of a bishop. It is also used in baptism to anoint the head of those newly baptized, and to anoint the hands of a newly ordained priest.

3. The Oil of the Sick (“Oleum Infirmorum”) is used in the sacrament of anointing of the sick. It is with the Oil of the Sick that those who are ill are comforted in their infirmity

The bishop says or sings this prayer (over the oil of the sick):  Lord God, loving Father, you bring healing to the sick through your Son Jesus Christ. Hear us as we pray to you in faith, and send the Holy Spirit, man’s Helper and Friend, upon this oil, which nature has provided to serve the needs of men.  May your blessing + come upon all who are anointed with this oil, that they may be freed from pain and illness and made well again in body, mind, and soul. Father, may this oil be blessed for our use in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (who lives and reigns with you forever and ever. Amen.) 

It is during Chrism Mass that the bishop of the diocese consecrates the sacred Chrism and blesses the oils of catechumens and the sick (OBO no. 1).

After the Chrism Mass, the holy oils are distributed to the parishes of the diocese where they are used to anoint the faithful throughout the year.

The oils are kept in metal or glass bottles called "chrismatories," "chrismals," or "ampullae."  These vessels are then stored in a cabinet called an "ambry," which is usually fixed to the wall of the sanctuary. Priests also have a portable "oilstock" which has a section for each of the three holy oils. Lay people are not to handle the holy oils, even to carry them, except in emergencies.

WHY DOES THE CHURCH ANOINT?

“Anointing, in Biblical and other ancient symbolism, is rich in meaning: oil is a sign of abundance and joy; it cleanses (anointing before and after a bath) and limbers (the anointing of athletes and wrestlers); oil is a sign of healing, since it is soothing to bruises and wounds; and it makes radiant with beauty, health, and strength” (The Catechism of the Catholic Church, CCC 1293).

“The word ‘Christ’ comes from the Greek translation of the Hebrew Messiah, which means ‘anointed.’ It became the name proper to Jesus only because he accomplished perfectly the divine mission that ‘Christ’ signifies. In effect, in Israel those consecrated to God for a mission that he gave were anointed in his name. This was the case for kings, for priests and, in rare instances, for prophets. This had to be the case all the more so for the Messiah whom God would send to inaugurate his kingdom definitively. It was necessary that the Messiah be anointed by the Spirit of the Lord at once as king and priest, and also as prophet. Jesus fulfilled the messianic hope of Israel in his threefold office of priest, prophet and king.” CCC, 436.

THE USE OF SACRAMENTAL OILS

According to Fr William Saunders (The Use of Sacramental Oils), “throughout the Bible, various references indicate the importance of olive oil in daily life. Oil was used in cooking and baking, particularly in the making of bread, that basic food substance for nourishment (e.g. Nm 11:7-9); the loaves offered in sacrifice were to be made with oil. (Ex. 29:2); as a fuel for lamps (e.g. Mt 25:1-9); and as a healing agent in medicine (e.g. Is 1:6 and Lk 10:34). Moreover, with oil the Jews anointed the head of a guest as a sign of welcome, of great honor and respect, as well as a way of offering refreshment after a journey (e.g. Lk 7:37-38, 46; Ps 23:5); beautified one's appearance when mixed with perfume (e.g. Ru 3:3; Judith 16:2), and prepared a body for burial (e.g. Mk 16:1). In religious practices, the Jews also used oil to dedicate a memorial stone in honor of God (e.g. Gn 28:18); to consecrate the meeting tent, the ark of the covenant, the table, the lampstand, the laver, the altar of incense and the altar of holocausts (e.g. Ex 31:26-29); and to offer sacrifices (e.g. Ex 29:40). The use of oil was clearly a part of the daily life of the people”.

Perhaps for this same reason it was often referred to as an “oil of gladness,” bringing joy to the heart (Ps. 45:8; Is. 61:3; Heb 1:9). Oil too was a source of light, being used in lamps both in homes and in the temple (Ex. 27:20; Mt. 25:3). The flame thus kindled likewise became a symbol of the Holy Spirit, whose fire purifies and enflames us with love and zeal (Acts 2:3). The healing properties of oil were also recognized (Ez.16:9; Lk 10:34) The apostles used it for healing, apparently at the instruction of Jesus Himself (Mk. 6:13), and this practice was continued in the early church (Jas. 5:14). Moses gave instructions for the making of a sacred anointing oil (Ex. 30:22-25). With this oil the Israelites were to consecrate the priests (Ex. 29:7; Lev. 8:12). Even the meeting tent and the objects of worship were to be anointed with this oil, and thus consecrated to God (Ex. 30: 26-29; Lev. 8:10-11). The kings of Israel were also anointed with oil (I Kings 1:39); II Kings 9:6). Furthermore, we read that when Samuel anointed David as king: “from that day on, the spirit of the Lord rushed upon David” (I Sam. 16:13). From this experience, and perhaps others like it, oil became a symbol of the Holy Spirit. The prophets therefore who spoke under the influence of the Spirit were considered to be anointed by God (Is. 61:1), and were sometimes even anointed with oil (I Kings 19:16). The expected savior of Israel, being the Anointed One, was to receive the full and complete anointing of God’s Spirit. Every blessing given through oil in the Old Testament was to be poured out in fullness upon the Messiah, and through Him upon all God’s people.

The New Testament witnesses also to Jesus; threefold anointing as King (Lk. 1:33), Prophet (Lk.4:18), and Priest (Heb. 7:17), and to His being anointed with the oil of gladness (Heb.1:9). The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.  (Mark 6:13) In short, the fullness of anointing, the fullness of God’s Spirit, is to be found in Jesus. It is to Him that we must go to receive of that anointing.

Sacred Scripture also attests to the spiritual symbolism of oil. For instance, Psalm 23:5 reads, "You anoint my head with oil," signifying favor and strength from the Lord; and Psalm 45:8 reads, "You love justice and hate wickedness; therefore, God your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellow kings," signifying the special designation from God and the joy of being his servant. Therefore, the symbolism of oil is rich sanctification, healing, strengthening, beautification, dedication, consecration and sacrifice.

Given this heritage, the early Church adopted the use of olive oil for its sacramental rituals. The Oil of Catechumens is used in connection with the sacrament of baptism. St. Hippolytus in his Apostolic Tradition (A.D. 215) wrote of an "Oil of Exorcism" used to anoint the candidates immediately before baptism. This practice still continues. In the current baptismal liturgy, the priest offers the prayer of exorcism and then anoints the person to be baptized on the chest, saying, "We anoint you with the oil of salvation in the name of Christ our Savior; may He strengthen you with His power, who lives and reigns forever and ever." 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" (Jas 5:14-15). 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. 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.

SOURCES OF THE THREE OILS BLESSED BY BISHOPS DURING CHRISM MASSES

The oil of the sick is pure olive oil. The oil of the catechumens is also pure olive oil. The holy chrism oil, is olive oil mixed with balsam. The oil symbolizes strength, and the fragrant balsam represents the “aroma of Christ” (2 Cor 2:15). The website ForYourMarriage.org, created and maintained by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, states in an article on it: Like all our sacred oils, Chrism is made from olive oil, although other vegetable oils can be used if olive oil is unavailable. Until 1974, when Pope Paul VI published the new Order of Anointing the Sick, olive oil was prescribed for the valid administration of the sacrament. This is no longer necessary. Any oil from plants is permissible in case of necessity; and the blessing by a bishop, though ordinarily required, may now be supplied by a duly authorized priest and, in emergency, by any priest. Thus, the matter proper for the sacraments is olive oil or, according to circumstances, other plant oil.

NOTE TO THE LAY FAITHFUL

The Olive Oil or any other product of vegetable oil used by lay faithful is a sacramental like holy water. It is not the Holy Oil used in the Catholic Church’s Sacraments. (A sacramental is an object, a prayer, etc. that helps us grow in our spiritual life and increases our devotion to our faith.) In using sacramental, the lay people of God should not confuse this oil with the Church’s holy oil that is conferred only by a priest in the Anointing of the Sick. It is for personal use and never sold. It should be noted that Jesus instituted the Sacraments; the Catholic Church instituted the Sacramental. For Abbot Andrew Miles, OSB , “another difference is that the Sacraments are said to work by the direct power of Christ, while a Sacramental obtains grace or power by the prayers of the Church. The purpose of all sacramental is to help people grow in faith. In essence, they are contact points that represent Catholic faith. Blessed Oil should not be associated with superstitions such as the Blessed Oil having a magical power in itself. Blessed Oil is a symbol of God’s grace at work through the faith of the believer. Such faith must be Jesus-centered, as was the faith of the blind man in John 9; he had faith in Jesus, not in the mud and spittle used by Jesus to heal him”.

Abbot Andrew Miles, OSB continues that, the Blessed Oil can be used in similar fashion as Holy Water. You can bless yourself or another by proxy; you can place a cross of the oil, above your doorposts and windows, and in other ways similar to how we use Holy Water. It is used as a healing balm and/or a protection against evil. The usage of Blessed Oil by lay people is an ancient custom of the Catholic Church. It can be used when praying for the sick as long as a clear distinction is being made between the Sacrament of the sick and Sacramental use of the blessed oil. In this particular usage, the Blessed Oil as a Sacramental is no different than the usage of blessed salt, holy water, palms, ashes, etc. Remember it is your faith, combined with Almighty God’s power and Will, in the Holy Name of JESUS, through the powerful intercession of the Archangel St. Raphael (in the case of St Raphael Oil), all the prayers that go into the oil as it is being prepared, and the priestly blessing that heal you through this blessed oil. It is good to remember that the blessed oil is just a vehicle that God uses to heal us. We are all instruments of God, only God is the Divine Physician and healer. Some are healed instantly, some progressively, some spiritually, some physically, and some mentally. Some are healed in all three areas. You may be healed of something other than what you ask for. Whatever Almighty God’s Will is for you and your particular spiritual mission on this earth.

For Abbot Andrew Miles, OSB, besides the three oils which the church now reserves for use in the sacraments, the Church also recognizes the use of blessed oil for use by all Christians. (See Roman Ritual, p. 393, no.3)  The purpose of this oil is primarily for healing and protection from harm; but the oil can also be used to pray for all the blessings which the oil represents; that is, all the riches which are ours in Jesus.  The oil can be used in praying for oneself or in praying for others. The simplest way of anointing is to make the sign of the cross on the forehead while saying the accompanying prayers (cf Ez. 9:3; Rev. 7:3).  But other parts of the body can also be anointed especially when the need for healing may be localized in one or several parts of the body. If using on another, it is advisable to inform them that you are using blessed oil, which is not the sacred oils of the Church, and are not administering a Sacrament of the church. [Anointing of the Sick is strictly reserved for the ministry of the ordained Catholic priest.]

EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL

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 • 0g Trans fat. No sodium.

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(*#Copied from their Website verbatim*)

https://www.goya.com/en/products/extra-virgin-olive-oil

OLIVE OIL

Each year, Augusta Victoria Hospital (AVH), located on the Mount of Olives in East Jerusalem, receives a special blessing. Olive oil, pressed from olives from the 800 trees on the Lutheran World Federation property, is used in the kitchen of AVH and provides income to offset the hospital’s operational costs. Grown by The Lutheran World Federation on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, the olives that this oil is made from are produced without the use of pesticides or chemical fertilizers. Local workers and volunteers harvest the olives by hand each fall. Following the harvest, most of the fruit is pressed at an olive press in Beit Jala or Latrun. Each year, the Lutheran World Federation Jerusalem Program, located on the Mount of Olives in East Jerusalem, receives a special blessing. After harvesting, olives from the 800 trees on the Lutheran World Federation property are pressed into olive oil. Some of the oil is used in the Augusta Victoria Hospital kitchen to feed patients, family members, and staff. The rest is used in kitchens around the world by friends and visitors of the LWF, whose donations help to support the work of the LWF Vocational Training Program and help to reduce the fees of students. Every year, LWF staff and volunteers from around the world help harvest the olives, beginning in mid-October through November.

https://jerusalem.lutheranworld.org/content/olive-oil-91

From the above you can now know more about olive oil. It is used for many things, which include cooking, and also for healing. It was not meant for a specific people, but for all human race. The Lutheran World Federation is the owner of the largest number of olive trees. There are other companies and individual families and organizations that grow olive tree in Jerusalem.

WHEN CAN THE PRIEST BLESS AND USE AN OLIVE OIL

In its official liturgy oil is used by ordained ministers, but not by lay ministers. For example in the Rite of Baptism for Children, if a priest or deacon does the baptism there is an anointing with oil. But if a lay catechist does it, “The anointing with chrism is omitted.” (The Rites Volume One, Liturgical Press n.151, 1990, ISBN: 0-8146-6015-0, page 429). There is a ceremony of Anointing of the Catechumens, which can be led by priest or a deacon. Lay ministers can bless the catechumens, but not anoint them. (RCIA, USA n. 98).

There are fairly strict rules on the blessing of oils, for example: “In virtue of the law itself the following may bless the oil for use in the anointing of the sick: a. those who are the equivalents in law to a diocesan bishop; b. in the case of necessity, any priest, but only within the celebration of the sacrament.”(Blessing of Oils and Chrism, n. 8, The Rites Volume Two, Liturgical Press, 1991, ISBN: 0-8146-6037-1, page 330). So I suggest using the official blessings in “The Book of Blessings”. Many of these are in the more affordable “Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers” ISBN 1555862926. It also contains some of the prayers for the sick in the liturgical book “Pastoral Care of the Sick”. This prayer of blessing of the oil is unique to the USA edition: “God of compassion, mercy, and love, in the midst of the pain and suffering of the world your Son came among us to heal our infirmities and soothe our wounds. May all who use this oil (in honor of Saint N.) be blessed with health of mind and body. Grant this through Christ our Lord.”

In some dioceses around the world, the bishops have asked the lay faithful, especially those in leadership positions, not to use oil in prayer groups, healing prayers etc. because of a lot of abuse. Evidently their advisors feel that many people have lost the understanding of oils blessed by the bishops, sacrament of anointing, and other sacramental use of holy oils. The bishops have also make the Chrism Mass much more of an event, more publicized, laity from all parishes invited etc. to highlight the importance of the “official” blessed oils. This explains why the bishop of a diocese can have three or four Chrism Masses for different regions, to allow the participation of more lay faithful. There seems to be widespread confusion about the efficacy of ordinary “holy oil”, i.e. blessed by a priest, from a shrine (such as Nne Enyemaka Shrine in Orlu Imo State, Marian Pilgrimage centers, adoration and conference grounds) etc. and the chrism and oils blessed at the Chrism Mass by the Bishop. Another problem was popular local shrines and pilgrimage sites selling “so-called holy oils”, which has also been forbidden by dioceses or bishops where they are situated or where the event is taking place.

NOTE: The oil used for anointing the sick must be blessed for this purpose by the bishop or by a priest who has this faculty, either from the law or by special concession of the Apostolic See.   The law itself permits the following to bless the oil of the sick:  (a) those whom the law equates with diocesan bishops; (b) in case of true necessity, any priest. 

SHOULD THE USE OF GOYA OIL OR ANY OTHER OLIVE OIL BE ABOLISHED IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH?

My response is NO. The reasons are as follows. First, we should not condemn Goya oil, that it is used for cooking. Every oil, and the three oils blessed by bishops are olive oil, the same material with GOYA. As can be seen in this article, there are many uses of olive oil, which include for cooking. More so, the Catholic Church recommends any other vegetable oil where Olive oil is unavailable. Therefore, if you throw the GOYA and ‘any other vegetable oil’ away, where will you get it in case of emergency as the Church prescribes? Second, most of our priests who go to Jerusalem do come back with oil from Jerusalem. We know that there is where the olive oil is produced in largest quantity. Some priests have friends who can ship it down to their destination whenever they are in need of them. The Church allows them to do so when the Church asks that in case of necessity the priest can bless olive oil or any other olive oil. Third, the oil of the sick given to Parishes is not enough to take care of the sick. In 2013, I was with a priest that visits the sick almost every week. The oil of the sick given to the parish does not last for two months. This was the time the Archbishop of Owerri started the campaign against any oil that was not blessed during Chrism Mass. I remembered he emphasized asking a question at their gathering, on how to cope with anointing of the sick since the one given is not sufficient but no answers were given to his question. His case is one among many. Fourth, from the history of the use of olive oil in the Catholic Church, the lay faithful are being allowed to use it for a purpose. Though in this contemporary time, there seems to be a lot of abuses. But the abuses should not be allowed to undermine the benefits of Olive oil within reach.

SUGGESTION

There is no doubt that many of the Children of God are abusing the use of Olive oil. One, the Church should enact a law to regulate its usage. The use of olive oil in the homes should not be abolished. If the Church should think of abolishing it, it then means that the Church should provide enough oil of the Sick for the Parishes. I recommend 50 litres each for small parishes and more for bigger parishes. On the same point, priests should be readily and very much available at any time of the day and night to attend to Christ’s faithful within the parish when they are called upon. It is then that GOYA oil and other olive and vegetable oils should be abolished. Two, in the case where the use of olive oil is allowed, workshops should be organized for Catechists/Catechizers and Evangelists, Leaders of Pious Societies on the use of Olive oil. These people will take the teaching to the grassroots level, because the abuses of Olive Oil we see today are as a result of lack of proper catechesis. Three, there should be enough oils of Chrism and Catechumens for parishes. I recommend a litre each for parishes. Remember, the Magisterium recommends that in necessity a priest can bless any other vegetable oil for that particular ceremony (It means that the Church is away that there are conditions and times when the oil blessed by bishop during Chrism Mass will not be within reach). Then, the question is, where will the vegetable oil come from (if not the GOYA oil and other olive oil products)? Four, the Church can abolish oils like Back to Sender, Favour and Connection Oil, Marriage Pin Oil and so on. But the Vegetable Oils should remain.

MAY THE HOLY SPIRIT CONTINUE TO GUIDE AND LEAD GOD’S CHURCH HERE ON EARTH THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD, AMEN.

© Utazi Prince Marie Benignus SFDPM

August 3, 2020