CHRISM MASS: THE SYMBOLS AND THEIR MEANING

The Chrism Mass is held during Holy Week in every Catholic (arch)diocese. In Lilongwe Archdiocese and the Diocese of Dedza  for instance, it is traditionally held on the Tuesday of Holy Week. During this mass, the priests, deacons and representatives of the entire archdiocesan community gather around the archbishop, who blesses the Holy Oils for use in the coming year.
These are: Oil of the Sick, Oil of Catechumens, Sacred Chrism.

BLESSING AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE HOLY OILSAt the offertory, the three Holy Oils and balsam fragrance are carried up to the sanctuary with gifts of bread and wine. The Oil of the Sick is blessed by the bishop during the Eucharistic Prayer. The bishop then mixes the balsam fragrance into the Chrism, and blesses it, praying: “Make this chrism a sign of life and salvation for those who are to be born again in the waters of baptism. Wash away the evil they have inherited from sinful Adam, and when they are anointed with this holy oil make them temples of your glory, radiant with the goodness of life that has its source in you.”

UNITY, RENEWAL OF VOWS AND PROMISES

The Chrism Mass reminds Christians of their oneness in Christ through Baptism and its holy anointing, made possible by the ministry of the archbishop and his priests. The Chrism Mass is also a key moment in which the unity of the archbishop with his priests (together, they form the presbyterate) is manifested and renewed. During the liturgy, the entire assembly is called to renew its baptismal promises; deacons and priests also renew their vow of obedience to the local (arch)bishop and their commitment to serve God’s people. At the end of the Chrism Mass, the Holy Oils are brought back to parishes of the archdiocese for use in the coming year.

OILS AND THEIR USAGE; OIL AND ANOINTING:
In the Old Testament, it was used to consecrate altars, sacred places, and sacred vessels, and in anointing priests. prophets were also considered anointed by God’s Spirit to speak powerfully, and with authority, in God’s name. kings were anointed (by prophets) to rule God’s people anointing also a sign of God’s strength, favour, joy of being God’s servant ( Ps. 45, 8: “God your God has anointed you with the oil of gladness…”)
CHRISTIANS AS ANOINTED ONES:
Baptism makes us Christians, that is, anointed ones who share in the
life of the crucified and risen Jesus, God’s anointed one. Immediately
before being baptized with water, we are anointed with the Oil of
Catechumens, which strengthens and purifies us. After baptism, with
water, we are anointed with the Oil of Chrism, which consecrates us as
members of Christ’s body who share in Jesus’ anointing as priest,
prophet and king. This anointing with Chrism gives us the Holy Spirit’s strength to live out our baptism. Anointing with Chrism at Confirmation completes the grace of Baptism, and seals us with the fullness of the Holy Spirit’s gifts.

THREE HOLY OILS:
The Catechism of the Catholic Church No. 1294, highlights;
The pre-baptismal anointing with the oil of catechumens signifies cleansing and strengthening; the anointing of the sick expresses healing and comfort. The post-baptismal anointing with sacred chrism in Confirmation and Ordination is the sign of consecration. By Confirmation Christians, that is, those who are anointed, share more completely in the mission of Jesus Christ and the fullness of the Holy Spirit with which he is filled, so that their lives may give off ‘the aroma of Christ.’ [2 Cor 2, 15])

OIL OF THE SICK
Used in Sacrament of the Sick to bring the strengthening and healing power of Christ, who is at work in the Church by the action of the Holy Spirit. “Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders [priests] of the Church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up, and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven.” (Jas 5:14-15)

OIL OF CATECHUMENS
The Oil of Catechumens is used at Baptism, to strengthen (with wisdom and courage to live the Gospel) and purify candidates (from original sin) before baptizing with water.

HOLY CHRISM
Holy Chrism is a mixture of olive oil (a rich oil, symbol of richness of God’s grace) and balsam fragrance (symbol of sweetness of Christian virtue). The Oil of Chrism is a sign of fullness of grace and spiritual strength; it consecrates and enables us to live out the call to follow Jesus the Christ (the anointed one) as baptized/confirmed/ordained Christians.
The holy chrism consecrated by the bishop is used to anoint the newly baptized, to seal the candidates for confirmation, and to anoint the hands of presbyters [priests] and the heads of bishops at their ordination, as well as in the rites of anointing pertaining to the dedication of churches and altars