The Catholic Church uses three holy oils: Sacred Chrism, Oil of Catechumens, and Oil of the Sick. These oils are blessed or consecrated by the Bishop during the Chrism Mass.
If you're an altar server or sacristan -- or even a deacon of priest -- the various oils may still be confusing. I know it's been a tough one for me.
Here's the breakdown:
- Sacred Chrism
- SC for Sanctum Chrisma
- Sacraments: used for the Sacrament of Confirmation and Baptism
- Ingredients: made from olive oil and balsam
- Oil of Catechumens
- OC for Oleum Catechumenorum, also OS for Oleum Sanctum, also "Oil of Exorcism" - at our Church, I'm pretty sure the canister says OC and the cruet says OS, so heads up!
- Sacraments: only used for the pre-Baptized, the pre-Baptized are called "catechumens" (pl. catechumenate)
- Ingredients: made from olive oil only
- Oil of the Sick
- OI for Oleum Infirmorum, also called Oil of Healing
- Sacrament: used in the Anointing of Sick
- Ingredients: made from olive oil only
Does this help? Does this resolve all the confusion? Please let me know if you have any more questions!
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