Three oils that unite and bless

Before the Chrism Mass, seminarians, including Robert Weisberg, pictured above, carefully measure and fill the vessels with oil to be blessed. About 22 gallons of olive oil is blessed and distributed. (NTC/Richard Rodriguez)

Can you imagine the Catholic Church without the sacraments or the priesthood?

Both are tremendous sources of grace for the faithful, and both are emphasized in the liturgy of the Chrism Mass, which the Diocese of Fort Worth usually celebrates on the Tuesday of Holy Week.

The Chrism Mass derives its name from the blessing of the three holy oils used in all parishes across the diocese in the coming year.

At the Chrism Mass, Bishop Michael Olson blesses the oil of catechumens, used in baptism; the chrism oil, used for baptisms, confirmations, holy orders, and the consecration of altars and dedication of churches; and the oil of the sick.

Deacons carry vessels of oil to be blessed by Bishop Michael Olson during the Chrism Mass. (NTC/Juan Guajardo)

After the Mass, a team of volunteers divide the oils and distribute them to the parishes for their sacramental use. 

Immediately after the Chrism Mass, teams of volunteers divide the oil into vials then box the vials for each parish, according to the size of the parish. (NTC/Susan Moses)

By using the oils blessed in this manner, this binds the sacraments at each parish to the universality of the Church through the bishop, explained Father Samuel Maul, pastor of St. Maria Goretti Parish in Arlington, who served as the master of ceremonies for the March 31 Mass at St. Patrick Cathedral.

Fr. Maul said, “The bishop is originally the chief baptizer, the chief confirmer of the Holy Spirit, and the one who ordains. It’s his blessing. So it’s his ministry that is operated by all of the workers in the vineyard. 

Bishop Olson stirs fragrant balsam into the sacred chrism to represent the “aroma of Christ.” (NTC/Juan Guajardo)

“Ultimately, it’s Christ’s ministry, but it’s the bishop who grounds us in that universal reality and connects us to Christ through the Apostolic tradition of the Church. So [the Chrism Mass] is really important.”

Olive oil, which was used for lighting lamps, cooking, healing, and ceremonial anointing in the Bible, forms the basis for each of the three oils. “Olive oil was so ubiquitous in ancient life; now it’s the material that is used to formulate the sign that signifies the invisible grace” of the sacrament, Fr. Maul continued.

Balsam is added to the sacred chrism to add a fragrance. “It permeates the scene when someone is baptized or confirmed or ordained, because it represents an indelible mark. ... You’re supposed to know a change,” Fr. Maul said.

Also during the Chrism Mass, more than 100 priests renew the promises they made at their ordination.

In blessing the sacramental oils and in renewing priestly promises, the Chrism Mass displays the unity of the Church in the diocese and across the world.