The Use Of Oils In Sacraments
“Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit…” Many of the sacraments that are celebrated today involve the use of oil. Baptism and confirmation are the two principle sacraments involving oils. In the Church liturgies, the actual significance of oil is often not known (or at least not fully) to the members of the parish faith community. This paper will examine the meaning of oil, the sacraments in which it is used, and prayers associated with it.
There are three oils that are used in various sacraments: Chrism, Oil of Infirm, and the Oil of the Sick. The three oils are all equally ...
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“…to introduce either the anointing with the oil of catechumens, or the laying on of hands.” The oil is one of the most significant items used in the celebration of the Rite. Jesus, himself, particularly encouraged children to be baptized, “Let the children come to me, and do not stop them, because the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”
During the time of Jesus, oil was used primarily used to show royalty; at this point in time, kings were the only ‘anointed ones’. “The completion of the sacrament consists, first, of the anointing with chrism, which signifies the royal priesthood of the baptized and enrollment into the company of the people of God…” . Clearly, Chrism has a very powerful meaning in the celebration of baptism. Two thousand years ago, the Chrism was a sign of royalty and the tradition has carried on to today, where the ‘royalty’ are still anointed.
The Church encourages that ...
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It was commonly used to prepare warriors for battle, amongst other things. The chrism prepares Christians for the battle against evil that they will face in their everyday lives. Pope Innocent III wrote: “The anointing of the forehead with chrism signifies the laying on of the hand, the other name for which is confirmation, since through it the Holy Spirit is given for growth and strength.” Oil has always held a rich place in the history of the Catholic Church. Early in Church history, oil was available only to royalty, and was by no means easy to come across. According to the Church, “chrism is made of olive oil… and balsam.” Two simple oils comprise ...
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The Use Of Oils In Sacraments. (2004, November 12). Retrieved December 23, 2024, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Use-Of-Oils-In-Sacraments/17391
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"The Use Of Oils In Sacraments." Essayworld.com. November 12, 2004. Accessed December 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Use-Of-Oils-In-Sacraments/17391.
"The Use Of Oils In Sacraments." Essayworld.com. November 12, 2004. Accessed December 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Use-Of-Oils-In-Sacraments/17391.
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