“Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well.”
What are the Holy Oils of the Church? [1] The Holy Oils of the Church are blessed each Holy Thursday at the Chrism Mass or an alternative day, which the Bishop chooses.
Oil of the Sick – The first of the holy oils, that is, the first blessed by the bishop, is the one called the oil of the sick. It is the matter of the Sacrament of Extreme Unction [Anointing of the Sick]. It takes away from the dying Christian the remnants of sin; it strengthens him in his last combat; and by the supernatural power it possesses, sometimes restores to him the health of the body.
What is the Oil of the Sick used for? Anointing those at the end of life and when they are very sick or prior to surgery.
Chrism Oil – The noblest of the three oils is the chrism, and its consecration is more solemn, and fuller of mystery than those of the other two. It is by the chrism that the Holy Ghost imprints His indelible seal on the Christian that has already been made a member of Christ by Baptism. The water gives us our spiritual birth; the chrism gives us strength; and until such time as we have received its holy anointing, we have not as yet the perfect character of a Christian. Anointed with this holy oil, the Christian has a visible sign given him of his being a member of the Man-God, whose name of Christ signifies the unction He has received both as King and Pontiff. This consecration of a Christian by chrism is so much in accordance with the spirit of our holy religion, that, immediately after Baptism, the child receives upon its head an anointing (though it is not a sacramental one) of this oil, to show that he is already a sharer of the kingly character of Jesus Christ.
What is the Chrism Oil used for? Confirmation, The head of a person during Baptism, Consecration of a Bishop, Consecration of Chalices, consecration of altars, Blessing of Bells, and Dedication of a Church; in which last most imposing ceremony, the bishop pours out the chrism on the twelve crosses which are to attest to all succeeding ages the glory of God’s house. “At the anointing in a Baptism, “the priest anoints the child’s head with sacred chrism. As the Catechism of the Council of Trent tells us, from the moment the baptized person is united as a member to Christ his Head, taking His name Christian from Christ, Whose name in its turn come from the Chrismatio, i.e., anointing.” [2] At Baptism during the anointing of Chrism the priest or deacon prays, “God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has freed you from sin, given you a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and welcomed you into his holy people. He now anoints you with the chrism of salvation. As Christ was anointed Priest, Prophet, and King, so may you live always as a member of his body, sharing everlasting life.” [3] We are united to Christ and to His mission, that of being a priest, prophet and king.
Search: Priest, Prophet, King
How does the Sacrament of Confirmation relate to the other uses of the oil? Through Confirmation, we are set aside (consecrated) and are the temple of the Holy Spirit. The Church is a temple just as our body and both are dedicated / consecrated with the same oil. Confirmation calls us to bear witness to Christ through our words and deeds, just as a Church bell announces the invitation to come to Christ, we as Confirmed Catholics announce Christ to the world. We are called to dedicate our lives as an offering to Christ just as the Sacrifice of the Holy Mass takes place on an altar. We are called to live out the virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity. The chalice is a symbol for the virtues: the base is faith, the steam is hope, the cup is charity. The Bishop is a shepherd, and we are the soldiers of Christ, through Confirmation, and the Bishop our general, giving us marching orders.
Oil of Catechumens – The third of the holy oils is called the oil of catechumens. Although it is not the matter of any Sacrament, it is, nevertheless, apostolic institution. Its blessing is less solemn than that of the chrism, but more so than that of the oil of the sick. The oil of catechumens is used in the ceremonies of Baptism, for anointing the breast and shoulders. It is used also for the anointing of a priest’s hands in Ordination, and for the coronation of a king or queen. During Baptism the priest of deacon prays, “We anoint you with the oil of salvation in the name of Christ our Savior; may he strengthen you with his power, who lives and reigns for ever and ever,” [4] when the oil is place on the breast and shoulders. During our life as a Christian we will need strength of body and heart. The breast and shoulders represent our heart and our body. We need strength in our heart to stay the course, to not loose heart. We need strength in our body to shoulder the burned and carry the Cross as Christ carried the Cross. It is this oil that gives us the strength of both heart and body to attain salvation with God’s Grace. “To me you give the wild-ox’s strength; you anoint me with the purest oil.” [5]
[1] All information about Holy Oils in this section is taken from - Abbot Gueranger, O.S.B.; The Liturgical Year; Vol. 6; Passiontide & Holy Week
[2] Roman Catholic Daily Missal; 1962
[3] Rite of Baptism
[4] Rite of Baptism
[5] Psalm 92