Deacon Christopher Ribucan carried a vessel of holy oil March 14 during the Maui and Lanai Vicariate chrism Mass at Holy Rosary Church in Paia. (Rose Dela Cruz / St. Raphael Church)
By Jennifer Rector
Hawaii Catholic Herald
During Lent, bishops all over the world bless oil that will be used throughout the year for sacraments. In the Diocese of Honolulu, it’s no different. With Easter upon us, priests from different islands have been assisting Bishop Larry Silva with blessing the oils during chrism Masses.
Bishop Silva traveled to several islands this month to concelebrate chrism Masses, starting with the Kauai Vicariate on March 5 at St. Raphael Church in Koloa.
For the Maui and Lanai Vicariate, the chrism Mass on March 14 was held at Holy Rosary Church in Paia. On the Big Island, a Mass for both the east and west vicariates was celebrated March 21 at St. Joseph Church in Hilo.
And for the Oahu and Molokai Vicariate, the chrism Mass took place March 26 at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa in Honolulu.
The chrism Mass is typically celebrated on Holy Thursday or in the weeks approaching Easter. It is important to have priests in the diocese join their bishop, according to “The Order of Blessing the Oil of Catechumens and of the Sick and of Consecrating the Chrism,” as it is “among the principal manifestations of the fullness of the bishop’s priesthood and is considered to be a sign of the close bond of the priests with him.”
All the oils must be olive oil or of another plant.
Oil of the sick
The anointing of the sick is usually one of the last sacraments someone could receive — either on their deathbed or throughout life when facing an illness. It can be repeated depending on how grave the sickness is.
Like all the sacraments, it is rooted in Jesus’ earthly ministry.
As it says in the Epistle of James, “Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint [him] with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven.” (Jas. 5:14-15).
Those who are given this sacrament receive special graces that unite the sick person to Christ’s passion.
The “Catechism of the Catholic Church” goes on to say that this grace is “for his own good and that of the whole Church; the strengthening, peace, and courage to endure in a Christian manner the sufferings of illness or old age; the forgiveness of sins, if the sick person was not able to obtain it through the sacrament of penance; the restoration of health, if it is conducive to the salvation of his soul; the preparation for passing over to eternal life.” (CCC 1532)
Bishop Larry Silva presided over the Kauai Vicariate chrism Mass on March 5 at St. Raphael Church in Koloa. Bishop Silva blessed the oils as Deacon Averiet Soto, left, looked on. (Rose Dela Cruz / St. Raphael Church)
Oil of catechumens
When the oil of catechumens is blessed, the bishop prays that those who are anointed with this oil “may understand more deeply the Gospel of your Christ… may undertake with a generous heart the labors of the Christian life, and… may rejoice to be born anew and to live in your Church,” as stated in “The Order of Blessing the Oil.”
This oil is given to catechumens to prepare for initiation and to infants before they are baptized. It is meant to purify the person from original sin.
Holy chrism
The turning point of the chrism Mass is the blessing of the chrism oil. This oil is mixed with fragrances, usually balsam.
In consecrating this oil, the bishop breathes into the oil as a sign of the Holy Spirit. He then calls the congregation to pray in silence.
Chrism oil is used for several sacraments — baptism, confirmation and holy orders.
The chrism oil can also be used for other purposes such as consecrating the altar or walls in a church, or the anointing of a new church bell.
Oil distribution
The oils are distributed in small vessels for parishes to use throughout the diocese.
Most holy oils are kept in a special clear glass cabinet called an ambry for parishioners to see.
It is left as a reminder of the faithful who are anointed and strengthened as one body of Christ.
