Holy Tuesday
Today is Chrism Mass. Today at 10:30, join in live on Facebook to watch Bishop Joe Vasquez bless the oils that will be used to anoint and bless all those who are Baptized, Confirmed, and the Infirm this upcoming 2020-2021 year.
Chrism Mass has been around since the beginning of the Bible in Exodus and Numbers and throughout the Gospels. We heard it yesterday when Mary anointed Jesus’ feet with oil. It is a time old tradition. Typically Chrism Mass should be on Holy Thursday and the oils are presented during Holy Thursday Mass before the Washing of the Feet, but because Dioceses are becoming larger and larger and Priests are coming from all over different cities miles and miles away, it makes more sense to have a few days to get them their oils, making Chrism Mass celebrated on Tuesday.
The first oil that is blessed is the Oil of the Catechumen, or the oil for Baptism. This oil is presented on the baptized head and chest to provide an exorcism during this rite. While exorcism sounds scary and not possible for your baby, child, or self’s soul, it really is to protect the soul from any evil getting in. That is why Canon Law states that within a month a child should be baptized. Now, this is not to guilt anyone! There is no right or wrong time to baptize your child or self, and with getting the right requirements no wonder it takes a little longer! But the oil of the Catechumen is there to help protect us against the evil that is around and the temptations that we fight everyday.
The next oil that is blessed is the oil of the infirm. This oil is used to anoint those who are undergoing surgery, chemo, serious sickness, or any other illness that the Priest and you deem appropriate for the anointing of the sick. This Sacrament has been previously seen as just Last Rites and something to receive as you are dying and passing from this life to the next, but really it is used for any of the above and Last Rites. I love this Sacrament of Healing because it can be done over and over again, especially if you are going through chemo treatments, or certain consistent surgeries. I love that at St. Austin we have done the anointing during School Masses and daily Masses and that the people of God have been able to extend their hands and bless the person being anointed as well. It is a community blessing and it is amazing knowing that the entire Body of Christ is praying over you. Also, it is really nice that when you are anointed, that you can also get a prayer blanket that has been made with love and a ton of prayers.
The last oil that is blessed is the chrism oil. It is a mix of olive oil and balsam. This oil is used in Baptisms, Confirmations, and Holy Orders when Priests are ordained. “Here the bishop breathes over the vessel of chrism, a gesture which symbolizes both the Holy Spirit coming down to consecrate this oil, and the life-giving, sanctifying nature of the sacraments for which it is used. (Recall how our Lord “breathed” on the Apostles on the night of Easter, saying, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’” (Jn 20:22).)” This oil is also used to bless new altars and ambos so that the Eucharist can be consecrated during Mass and the Word of God can be proclaimed.
These three oils are presented on the night of Holy Thursday. Typically the Parish picks three people who represent one of each category; a person being Baptized, a person being Confirmed, and a person who has been, or will be Anointed to carry up the oils to the Altar like at the Presentation of the Gifts for the Eucharist and Offertory.
To bring Chrism Mass into your home today, you can make your own oil out of olive oil, balsam, or other essential oils that you have in your house and save them for Holy Thursday to wash and anoint the feet of your family. While Chrism Oil can only be blessed by the Bishop, at least the smell will be in your home for a while!
Tomorrow is Holy Wednesday, or Spy Wednesday. There are no live streams except for daily Mass at 8am, which I encourage you to watch, but you can begin getting your house ready for Holy Thursday and the feet washing and celebrating the Last Supper!