What is the name of the oil used to anoint the sick in the Catholic church?

Answer 1

This would depend on which sacrament, ceremony or consecration is being preformed as the Catholic Church uses two oils, the Oil of Catechumens and Holy Chrism although some Churchmen make a third division, that being the Oil of the Sick. Each one of these oils is considered a sacramental and after the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass there is nothing so holy.

The Oil of Catechumens is olive oil that is specially consecrated. It is used to anoint those that are to be baptized before the application of the water. Two unctions are made: first one on the breast over the heart, then one on the back. The unction over the heart symbolizes the Faith the Christian must carry in his/her heart and the unction on the back is a reminder one must be ready to carry their cross with Christ. The Oil of Catechumens is also used in the rite of priestly ordination to consecrate the hands of a priest.

The Holy Chrism is olive oil and balsam that is specially consecrated. It is used in baptism after the pouring of the water to anoint the head of the baptized. The Council of Trent teaches concerning this, "The person being now baptized, the priest anoints with chrism the crown of his head, to give him to understand that from that day he is united as a member of Christ, his head, and engrafted on His Body, and that therefore is he called a Christian from Christ, but Christ from chrism." (Part II, Chapter ii., No. 73). Christ, of course, means "Anointed one". The reason for this application comes from when the sacraments of baptism and confirmation were conferred together. However, the bishop was the ordinary minister of confirmation and could not always attend, thus pope Sylvester I granted priests permission to anoint the baptized with chrism though not on the forehead as a bishop to confer the sacrament, but on the crown as a signification. Eastern Rite Catholics and the Orthodox still administer baptism and confirmation together, whereas the Latin Church waits till the confirmand is of adolescent age and still applies the chrism signification in the baptismal rite. Which brings us to consider that chrism is also used to anoint the forehead of the confirmand in the sacrament of confirmation, as well as to anoint the hands of a priest who is being consecrated a bishop, to anoint a man or woman who is becoming a Catholic Monarch, to consecrate a chalice and paten that is to be used for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and to consecrate altar stones.

The Oil of the Sick is used in the sacrament of Extreme Unction, or the Sacrament of the Sick or Last Rites. The oil is applied on the five senses of the body, that they might be purified.

The Oil of the Catechumens and Holy Chrism is mixed together into water at the ceremonies of Holy Thursday in order to consecrate baptismal water that is usually stored in a baptismal font.

Answer 2

Not normally used to anoint the sick. However if so used it is for the same purpose - in that the blessing is 'sealed' with the Holy Spirit.

Traditionally the Holy Chrism is the oil used to anoint people at their Confirmation, and is also used to anoint priests at their ordination. It is also used in the consecration of altars and Church buildings.

In Anglo-Catholic parishes it is additionally used by bishops when they consecrate chalices and patens.

'Consecration' means making holy or setting apart for God's purposes. unlike other oils used it is not pure olive oil. A scented balsam is mixed with the oil to make the Chrism.

Answer 3

In Christianity the oil represents the Holy Spirit.

James 5:14 Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

Answer 4

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Catholic AnswerNo. There are two oils blessed by the bishop at the Chrism Mass, and one consecrated. The consecrated one is the Sacred Chrism. The other two are known as the Oil of the Sick, and the Oil of Catechumens. Only the Oil of the Sick is used for Anointing of the Sick.

Answer 5

The oil used for the annointing of the sick is usually apprepreviated O.I. (oleum infirmorum, oil of the sick). It is olive oil and blessed by the Bishop. It is permissible, since 1974 when Pope Paul VI published the new Order of Anointing the Sick, to use any oil from plant, and it may be blessed by any duly authorized priest, and in an emergency, any priest.

Answer 6

At the sacrament of anointing of the sick, chrism is used. Chrism is also used to anoint those receiving confirmation.