Church: A Place Where Mystery Happens - #11

We notice how deeply people are touched personally when something tragic befalls them or someone they love. Words don't seem to capture the full range of feeling that people feel in such awesome moments. So we leave the world of verbal expression and enter into a simpler and deeper world. We turn to our ability to touch. A hug, kiss, a long and encompassing embrace, holding someone's hand, stroking someone's arm now speak what words cannot. All these gestures of touch seem to say it better than words.

Our liturgy calls for us to touch one another literally. The kiss of peace exchanged at the Eucharist comes immediately to mind. So does the way we baptize. A woman and a man touch each other when they marry in the midst of the assembly. Hands are joined as words of commitment are spoken, rings are exchanged, and a holy kiss is shared.

But, most of all, we are conscious of touch in the way we use oil in the church. Church spaces are more frequently displaying the holy oils. Careful planning and thought at St. Malachy went into the design of the vessels that contain the oils, the design of the repository that shows them to the assembly, and its placement near the paschal candle and the ambo. Everyone involved in this project wanted something simply and beautifully designed, handsomely and honorably crafted and worthy of the holy oils. In short, there was a sense of reverence for what the holy oils are and what they mean for the pastoral and sacramental ministries of the church. This reverence is conveyed when people stop and look upon the holy oils.

The three oils that are graciously displayed are the oil for the blessing of catechumens, the sacred chrism, and the oil for the anointing of the sick. The bishop of the diocese blessed these oils during Holy Week. Someone from each parish then brings the oils to the local church. They are ordinarily carried in a solemn procession into the assembly during the Triduum liturgy so that they are available for the Easter Vigil when we initiate adults whom God has called and chosen for the water bath, the holy anointing, and the supper table.

The first vessel contains oil for the blessing of catechumens. Catechumens are those who have entered the household of the church in order to walk the journey of faith. They gather to hear the Word of God and to listen to how that Word echoes in their innermost depths. The Rite of Christian initiation of Adults recommends that catechumens be touched. First, those who minister to them are to lay hands on their heads. This blessing communicates the power of God coming down upon them.

Second, catechumens may be blessed with the oil specially designated for them. This anointing is designed to strengthen them during the journey and to fortify them in their struggles with sin and evil. If you oil the catechumen well enough, she or he will be so greasy that the evil one cannot pin them down. The oily catechumens may receive this blessing when they gather to listen to the Word of God and to learn the mysteries of faith, when they are burdened and weighed down, or when they feel the need for strengthening and encouraging.