Christ set the example for priests to anoint with oil
By Father Michael Van Sloun
Tuesday, 01 December 2009
The following is the seventh in an 11-part series on anointing.
The second ritual action. After the laying on of hands, the second liturgical action is the application of oil. It is gently applied by the priest to the sick person with his thumb in the Sign of the Cross to both the forehead and the palms of the hands.
Anointing
Father Michael Van Sloun
The ritual words. As the priest anoints the forehead, he says, “Through this holy anointing, may the Lord in his love and mercy, help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit.” The person, if possible, responds, “Amen.” Then the priest anoints the hands and says, “May the Lord who frees you from sin, save you and raise you up.” Again, the response is, “Amen.”
Oil as a sacramental. Oil is the main sacramental or holy object used
to perform the sacrament, and its use is specified by the apostle James
in the scriptural passage that serves as the biblical basis for this
sacrament: “Is anyone among you sick? Anoint the person with oil in the
name of the Lord” (James 5:14).
Oil of the infirm. The oil is called oleum infirmorum, the oil of the
infirm, OI or the oil of the sick. It is olive oil blessed by the
bishop at the annual Chrism Mass and subsequently distributed to
parishes throughout the diocese.
It is usually kept in a bottle or flask in the “ambry,” the place where
the sacred oils are reserved, often a tabernacle-like receptacle
recessed into the wall in the sanctuary or a special cabinet positioned
in a prominent place in the church. If the parish exhausts its supply,
or if a priest finds himself away from his oil stock, it is permissible
for him to bless any kind of vegetable oil for the anointing.
Oil in the New Testament. Jesus recognized the medicinal value of oil
in the parable of the Good Samaritan, when he explained how oil and
wine were poured into the wounds of a man severely beaten by robbers
(Luke 10:34). The alcohol in the wine kills bacteria. Before the time
of sutures or stitches, oil kept the wound soft and pliable
Anointing oil, candles, cross and a priest’s stole are depicted at St.
Pius X in Onida, S.D. - Photo courtesy Father Michael Van Sloun
and helped
it heal from the inside out. Oil played a key role in Jesus’ healing
ministry because he commissioned his disciples to “heal the sick”
(Matthew 10:8), and they “anointed with oil many who were sick and
cured them” (Mark 6:13). Oil represents the healing power of God.
Oil and physical healing. Oil symbolizes physical healing because of
its marvelous curative properties. Long before the arrival of modern
medicine, olive oil, the most common vegetable oil in the
Mediterranean region, was used both externally and internally as a
therapeutic agent.
Externally, oil was used as a salve, balm, unguent or ointment applied
to lubricate the skin, moisturize dry or cracked skin, soften hardened
tissue, massage and soothe aching muscles, preserve body heat, promote
physical growth, ease pain, relieve wounds and bruises and retard
bacterial advancement.
Internally, oil was taken orally to treat gastrointestinal disorders such as abdominal cramps, and widely used as a laxative.
Father Michael Van Sloun is pastor of St. Stephen in Anoka.
Sign up for our eNewsletter and get
Show/hide comment form
