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Episcopal Language | |
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Holy Oils: There are three oils used in contemporary Episcopal worship - (OI) Oil of Intinction and Unction (oleum infirmorum), (SC) Oil of Chrism (sanctum chisma), and (OS) Oil of Catechumens (oleum sanctum). Bishops often carry them on church visits and use one tiered three-part oil stock, made of metal. In earlier times, the material varied greatly and they were made of wood, metal, ivory, and earthenware. Most of the time, a Church uses oil stocks separately. Oils are kept in the sacristy in a chrismatorium when not being used. They should not be kept in a sanctuary tabernacle or aumbry, as this is the place reserved for the blessed wine and bread. Oil supplies are to be kept in small glass cruets marked OI, SC, and OS. Oils should be renewed at Eastertide from the oil consecrated on Maundy Thursday or Tuesday of Holy Week (a later tradition). When a bishop has the renewal of vows for clergy at a cathedral (normally on Holy Tuesday), oils are sometimes blessed at that time (as it is convenient) for parish and mission clergy use. Extra holy oils for the use of parish and mission clergy are traditionally kept at the cathedral of a diocese. Blessed oil which remains from a previous year should be reverently burned. Any cotton used to wipe the fingers following anointing and the lamb's wool used to suspend the oil in the oil stocks, should also be burned, and the lamb's wool and oil replenished. The liturgical blessing of oil is very ancient. It is met with in the 4th century and 11th centuries in various Christian writings. In one of those writings, the "Prayer Book of Serapion" in the fourth century, there is a formula for blessing of the oil and chrism for those who had just received baptism, which was in those days followed by confirmation in such a manner that the administration of both sacraments constituted a single ceremony. In the same book is found a separate form of blessing for the oil of the sick, for water, and for bread. It is an invocation to Christ to give His creatures power to cure the sick, to purify the soul, to drive away impure spirits, and to wipe out sins. In the Old Testament, oil was used for the consecration of priests and kings, also in all great liturgical functions, e.g., sacrifices, legal purifications, and the consecration of altars (Exodus/Leviticus/Psalms). In the New Testament, see James 5:14. In the early Eastern and Western churches toward the close of the sixth century, the oils were consecrated on Holy Thursday by a bishop. He blessed the oil which was to serve at the anointing of catechumens previous to baptism, next the oil with which the sick are anointed in the Sacrament of Extreme Unction, finally the chrism, which is a mixture of oil and balsam, and which is used in the administration of the Sacrament of Confirmation. Priests were obliged to provide themselves with oil sufficient for their needs throughout the year. In the Middle Ages, extreme unction became known as "Last Rites." Still today, people know - generally - what Last Rites are, but few know what Extreme Unction is. Oil used in healing was recovered in the Episcopal Church in the 1928 BCP. Oil of Intinction/Unction (OI) is the oil used to anoint the sick (Intinction) or dying (Unction). It is the same oil, not two different oils in two different oil stocks. Through the anointing, God's grace is given for the healing of the spirit, mind and body. Oil of Intinction is specifically intended for healing the sick, not for strengthening others to minister to them. Anointing should not be administered twice during the same illness unless a partial recovery is followed by a relapse. When this oil is used to anoint the sick, it is the Oil of Intinction. When it is used to anoint a person near death, it is the Oil of Unction (often called Extreme Unction) and it is used to anoint the person during the opening prayer (BCP, p. 462). A priest may bless this oil and a blessing is found on page 455 of the BCP and 159 of 'A Manual for Priests'. A lay person may use the Oil of Intinction and the Oil of Unction - because there is no rubric which says they cannot do this. However, their use of either oil falls under the rubric on page 456 of the BCP, which states, "In cases of necessity, a deacon or lay person may perform the anointing, using oil blessed by a bishop or priest." 'Necessity' is commonly an emergency situation when a priest cannot be obtained readily. 'Necessity' may also be interpreted as oil (OI) used in a ministry like the Order of St. Luke, where laity within a parish or mission have been properly trained and authorized in the use of these oils. 'Necessity' is always interpreted by the rector or vicar. He or she may have a preference for use of this oil, regardless of what the BCP rubric states. Oil of Chrism (SC) is the oil used for those who have received Holy Baptism. Chrism is olive oil mixed with balsam, which is only consecrated by a bishop. It connects each baptism with the bishop even when the bishop is not present. It is preferable that chrism be consecrated when the bishop presides at Holy Baptism in the parish or mission. When there is no baptism on the occasion of the bishop's visit, olive oil and balsam 'may' be presented at the Offertory. They are placed on a table (not the altar) until after the Post Communion prayer. Then, a brief remark is given to introduce the consecration of the oils. Whether or not this is done, is up to the discretion of the bishop. Therefore, the only use of Oil of Chrism (SC) authorized by the BCP is for anointing in Holy Baptism. In older traditions, it was also used for Confirmation, Ordination, and the Consecration of a Church and an altar. In the present BCP rite for Confirmation, its use is to be avoided for these purposes, lest it give the impression that the Holy Spirit is conferred by that rite rather than in Holy Baptism. Other uses are also best avoided. In the present BCP, chrism is meant to express the initial gift of the Holy Spirit, not later strengthening by the Spirit. 'A Priest's Handbook' states (p.220) that, "If desired the bishop may anoint each candidate for Confirmation with Chrism." Therefore, some bishops - at their discretion and outside the older tradition - use chrism at Confirmation, Reception and Reaffirmation and they may note that in the work of the Holy Spirit, there is always room for "more" Holy Spirit. Oil of Catechumens (OS) is the oil used in the baptism liturgy to anoint a candidate for baptism who has not been prepared through a period of the catechumenate, and in the ordinations of priests. In the first case, it can only be used by bishops and priests. In the latter case, it can only be used by bishops. It is also used in the coronation of kings and queens. Obviously, however, this would not be the case in the Episcopal Church. A catechumenate is a person who desires to become a Christian and undergoes a period of instruction to do so. In the early church, this was a period of three years and catechumenates were not allowed in the church with Christ's followers until they had been baptized. Also, during this time, those who were about to become Christians received one or more anointings with holy oil. The oil used in this way has been mentioned as far back as the Apostolic Constitutions. Obviously, exclusion prior to baptism and the lengthy 'course of instruction' are no longer required. Today, we include all people into worship, with the hope of either strengthening them or converting them through worship and fellowship. Baptism instruction in the 21st century is a matter of several hours, several weeks, or in growing cases, thankfully, - a one year catechumenate. Today, all candidates are normally instructed, so it is unlikely this 'oil' would be used. It would be more common to see it used in ordination of priests, who have undergone an even longer period of instruction and training. If used during the baptismal liturgy, the celebrant may (and should) anoint such a candidate who has not had baptism instruction with the Oil of Catechumens following the final affirmation, which is, "I do, and with God's grace, I will follow him as my Savior and Lord." The celebrant then continues with, "Will you who witness these vows…" 'A Priest's Handbook' gives several prayers for the anointing. One such prayer is, "Drive out of this catechumen, Lord God, every trace of wickedness. Protect him from the Evil One. Bring him to the saving waters of Baptism, and make him yours for ever; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." Holy Water: Water blessed by a bishop or priest for use in blessing the people, in the setting apart of objects for use in the church, or for other liturgical purposes. Holy Water is often used at the Burial of the Dead, at Baptism, at Weddings, and at other times at the discretion of the priest. Host: Literally, "a sacrificial victim." The consecrated bread set apart for the Holy Communion. In some Episcopal churches a wafer is used as the host, but some churches are using actual baked bread. The larger host the priest breaks at the fraction is called a priest's host. Hymn: A Christian song of adoration, praise and appeal addressed to God. Hymnal: The current version of the Episcopal Hymnal was published in 1982, replacing the 1940 edition. Its goals are: To present "Christian faith with clarity and integrity." To "reflect the nature of today's Church." To extend the ecumenical spirit by including music from other denominations and faiths. To "embody both practical and esthetic" values. The Hymnal is provided as a resource for congregations across the Episcopal Church. Many churches also supplement it with other musical material. |
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| Address: | 202 South Massachusetts
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