Holy Thursday, April 17, 2025: Sacred Oils for the Journey

Sacred oils for the journey

Last Thursday, Bishop Patrick celebrated an annual (and important) Mass called the Chrism Mass. It’s the night when he blessed the sacred oils that are then distributed to each parish in the Diocese to be used for the year. We keep these oils in a special cabinet called an ambry. Tonight, those from our area who will become fully initiated into the Catholic church at the Easter Vigil will process those oils in during the Presentation of Gifts. These people are in the OCIA program, it used to be called RCIA (which stands for Rites of Christian Initiation of Adults). The name change occurred just this past year to better represent the original Latin, which now stands for the ORDER of Christian Initiation for Adults and is meant to convey that it is a lifelong journey and not just one ritual or rite. Anyway, there will be three oils brought forward: the Oil of Catechumens, the Oil of the Sick, and the Oil of Chrism

The Oil of Catechumens: Strength for the Journey

This oil is used to anoint those preparing for baptism. It’s a sign of strength, a sign that God is with us as we begin our journey of faith. This oil is used to prepare those getting baptized to strengthen them for the journey ahead. In the second reading we heard about Jesus celebrating the Last Supper with the disciples. This was the start of the Eucharist, which we know is strength for our journeys. We receive the body and blood of Christ so that we are strengthened for what challenges us ahead. I always say, don’t neglect it. Don’t miss a weekend Mass. Get the food for your journey, because you know the days/weeks ahead will be difficult. Come receive the presence of Christ that takes you past your own trials and crucifixions. For this food is strength to know that your journey doesn’t end with suffering it will always lead to resurrection. 

The Oil of the Sick: Healing and Comfort

The Oil of the Sick is used in the sacrament of Anointing to bring healing and comfort. In the old days, this was called LAST RITES and was given only once because it forgave all your sins, so you’d better make sure you really were about to die. But since Vatican II (in the 60’s) this sacrament has been broadened to include times for healing and hopefulness. So we administer it to those facing surgery, or going through depression, or going through pregnancy. I think of Jesus bending down to attend to the disciples, using a simple ritual of giving them comfort with dusty and dirty feet, by washing their feet. It’s so powerful to imagine Jesus attending to your needs.  

With the sacrament, it can be received often. And many times I add to the prayers of the ritual . . . may you trust the medical procedures and staff. May you trust your own faith that you will get better. May you know that you don’t face, whatever it is, alone. And indeed if the person is close to death I will add, “May you slip gently into God’s loving embrace as you move to the other side.” 

The Oil of Chrism: Anointed for Service

Finally, the Oil of Chrism is the most important. It is an oil of mission. We use this oil at baptism, confirmation, and ordination, and it’s a sign of the Holy Spirit’s anointing. It marks us as Christians to go serve. When Jesus washed his disciples' feet, he was showing them the way of service. He didn’t just wash their feet; he was teaching them that real greatness comes through serving others. 

With the close of Lent which happened at sundown today, we enter into days which are called Triduum, or SUPER Lent (which means we don’t stop giving up whatever it was you did during Lent). But as we transition, I challenge you to mark the Easter season by doing some action of service each day. It can be simple . . . like give one compliment each day, or pick up one piece of litter each day, or stretch yourself and linger after Mass and introduce yourself to someone new. You don’t have to do great things, but do something!

Mark the resurrection by being different, being better, being more.  

And this leads us into the ritual of washing feet [explain]