Oils blessed at Chrism Mass sign of unity

Published: April 11, 2025

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Bishop Anthony B. Taylor will celebrate the annual Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Little Rock on Monday, April 14 at 5:30 p.m. Priests serving across Arkansas concelebrate this Mass, during which they renew their commitment to priestly service. All are welcome to attend.

Anointing oils to be used for sacraments and dedications are also presented for the bishop's blessing. These include the oil for the sick, used in anointing the sick; the oil for catechumens, used during baptism; and the oil for the sacred chrism, which is the primary anointing oil.

The word "chrism" means "consecrated oil." It is used in the sacraments of initiation and holy orders as well as special acts of dedication, such as consecrating a new altar and blessing church bells upon their installation.

Chrism oil is olive oil mixed with balsam. The oil symbolizes strength, and the balsam represents the “aroma of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 2:15) "Anointing with chrism oil signifies the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is used to consecrate someone or something to God’s service," explained Simply Catholic.

See "Chrism Mass: The Symbols and Their Meaning" from the Archdiocese of New Orleans to learn more.

"In this Mass I will consecrate the chrism, which is used in the ordination of priests as well as for the sacrament of confirmation. I will bless the oil of catechumens and the oil for the anointing of the sick," explained Bishop Taylor in his 2022 Chrism Mass homily.

"These oils are blessed and consecrated at this one Mass as a sign of our unity as one Church and will be taken from here to all the parishes in our state and used throughout the coming year for the administration of the sacraments in which we all share," said Bishop Taylor. "The sacraments in which these oils will be used are moments of personal encounter with the Lord not only for our own personal benefit, but also for the purpose of mission: sent forth to do God’s work."

After the Mass, each pastor takes his share of the anointed oils, to be used for the next 12 months, back to his parish. Oils left over from the previous year are removed and replaced with the new oils in an ambry, in Latin “armaria” meaning "cupboard" inside the church, according to Arkansas Catholic.

Any unused chrism from the previous year must be burned. Because the oil of the sick and catechumens is merely blessed olive oil with no additional fragrance added and is not consecrated like the chrism oil, it can be thrown away or used for other purposes. Learn more.