How did chrism come about?

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chrism   /ˈkrɪzəm/ Show Spelled[kriz-uhm] Show IPA

-nouna consecrated oil, usually mixed with balsam or balsam and spices, used by certainchurches in various rites, as in baptism, confirmation, and the like.

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Also, chrisom.

Origin:

before 900; learned respelling of Middle English crisme,Old English crisma < Latin chrīsma < Greek chrîsma unguent, unction

-Related formschris·mal, adjective

A mixture of oil of olives and balsam, blessed by a http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/02581b.htmin a special manner and used in the administration of certain http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/13295a.htmand in the performance of certain http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/03744a.htmfunctions. That chrism may serve as valid http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/10053b.htmfor the Sacrament of Confirmation it must consist of pure oil of olives, and it must be http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/02599b.htmby a http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/02581b.htm, or at least by a http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/12406a.htmdelegated by the http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/07424b.htm. These two conditions are certainly http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/10733a.htmfor validity; moreover it is probable that there should be an admixture of balsam, and that the blessing of the chrism should be special, in the sense that it ought to be different from that which is given to the oil of the sick or the oil of http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/03430b.htm. (Cf. Lehmkuhl, Cas. Cons. II, n.102.) If either of the last two conditions is wanting the sacrament will be doubtfully valid. To deal with the subject in a sufficiently exhaustive manner, it will be enough to touch upon

1. the origin and antiquity of chrism;
2. its constituent nature;
3. its blessing; and
4. its use and symbolical significance.

OriginIn its primitive meaning the word chrism, like the Greek chrisma, was used to designate any and every http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/14322c.htmthat served the purpose of smearing or anointing, such as the various kinds of oils, unguents, and pigments. This was its ordinary signification in profane literature, and even in the early http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/11560a.htmwritings. Gradually however, in the writings of the Fathers at all events, the term came to be restricted to that special kind of oil that was used in religious http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/03538b.htmand functions, especially in the administration of the http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/13295a.htmof http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/02258b.htmand Confirmation. Thus http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/11306b.htmrefers to the visible chrism in which we have all been http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/02258b.htm: http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/01383c.htmvenerates in the chrism the oil of grace which makes kings and http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/12406a.htm; and http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/04595b.htmcelebrates the praises of the mystic chrism (cf. Dict. De theol. Cath., s.v. Chreme, where many references are given to patristic passages in which the word occurs.) The early councils of the http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/03744a.htmhave also references to chrism as something set apart for sacred purposes and making for the sanctification of http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/09580c.htm. Thus the Council of Constantinople held in 381 (Can. vii) and the Council of Toledo, 398 (Can. x). Regarding the institution of chrism, or its introduction into the sacramental and ceremonial system of the http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/03744a.htm, some http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/14580a.htmlike http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/14663b.htm(Summa Theologiæ III.72.4) and Francisco Suárez (De Conf., D. xxxiii) hold that it was instituted immediately by Christ, while others contend that it is altogether of http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/03744a.htmorigin. http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/05601a.htm, in his famous "Instruction for the Armenians" (http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/03052b.htm"Exultate Deo", apud http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/04736b.htm, "Enchiridion", p. 160) asserts that chrism is the matter of the Sacrament of Confirmation, and, indeed, this opinion is so certain that it may note be denied without incurring some note of http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/03532a.htm. (Cf. Catechism of the Council of Trent, Pt. II, c. iii, q. 7.) All that the http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/15030c.htmhas defined in this connection is that they who attribute a certain spiritual and salutary efficacy to holy chrism do not in any way derogate from the respect and reverence due to the Holy Ghost (Sess. VII, c. iv).NatureTwo elements enter into the constitution of legitimate chrism, viz. olive-oil and balsam. The former is indeed the preponderating, as well as the principal, ingredient, but the latter must be added in greater or lesser quantity, if not for reasons of validity, at all events in obedience to a grave http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/03744a.htmprecept. Frequent reference is made in the http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/14526a.htmto the use of oil in religious ceremonies. It was employed in the http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/04380a.htmof kings, in the http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/04276a.htmof the http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/12407b.htmand in the http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/11279a.htmof the http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/09206a.htm, and indeed, it figured very prominently in the http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/10596a.htmordinances generally, as can be abundantly gathered from Exodus (30:22 sqq.), Leviticus (viii), and Deuteronomy (xxvii, 40). Such being the prevailing usage of the http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/14526a.htmin adopting olive-oil for religious ceremonies, it is no cause for wonder that it also came to receive under the New Dispensation a certain religious recognition and approval. The second element that enters into the constitution of genuine chrism is balsam. This is an aromatic, resinous substance that is extracted from the wood of certain trees or plants, especially those belonging to the terebinthine group or http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/05782a.htm. In the manufacture of this sweet-smelling unguent the early http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/06752a.htmwere wont to employ as many as forty different perfumed spices or essences (Goar, Euchologion, p. 627). In the beginning the http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/04636c.htmbalsam was obtained from http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/08544a.htm(opobalsam) and from Arabia Felix (balm of http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/10099a.htm), but in modern times it is also procured, and in superior quality, from the West Indies. What is required for chrism should of course be such as is sanctioned by the usage of the http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/03744a.htm. The first mention of balsam as an ingredient in the composition of chrism seems to be found in the "Gregorian Sacramentary", a work belonging to the sixth century. (Cf. http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/11702b.htm, Prael. Theol., III, 135.) Now, however, according to existing legislation, the addition of balsam is requisite for lawful chrism, but whether it is http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/10733a.htmfor the validity of the sacrament, assuming that chrism is the matter of confirmation, this is a matter about which http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/14580a.htmdo not agree. (Cf. http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/02411d.htm, De Conf., ix.) The modern view appears to be that it is not so required. But owing to the uncertainty mere olive-oil would be http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/05141a.htmmatter and could not, therefore, be employed apart from very grave necessity. BlessingFor proper and legitimate chrism the blessing by a http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/02581b.htmis http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/10733a.htm, and, probably too, such a blessing as is peculiar to it alone. That the http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/02581b.htmis the ordinary http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/10326a.htmof this blessing is certain. So much is amply recognized in all the writings of the early centuries, by the early councils (cf. Const. Apos., VII, 42; the Second http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/01199a.htmof 390, and Third Council of http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/02728a.htm, 572), and by all modern http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/14580a.htm(cf. http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/06244a.htm, xi, 440). But whether a http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/12406a.htmmay be the extraordinary minister of this blessing, and, if so, in what circumstances, this is a question that is more or less freely discussed. It seems agreed that the http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/12260a.htmmay delegate a http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/12406a.htmfor this purpose, but it is not so clear that http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/02581b.htmcan bestow the same delegated authority ex jure ordinario. They exercised, it seems, this perogative in former times in the East, but the power of delegating http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/12406a.htmto http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/02599b.htmchrism is now strictly reserved to the http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/07424b.htmin the http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/09022a.htm. (Cf. http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/11702b.htm, Prael. Theol., III, 135.) The rites employed in consecrating the sacred chrism go to show that it is a http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/03538b.htmof the highest importance. Formerly it could be http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/02599b.htmon any day of the year according as necessity arose. Now, however, it must be http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/02599b.htmduring the solemn high Mass of http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/10068a.htm. (Cf. Decr. S.R.C., ed., Gardellini, n. 2475.) For the full solemn ceremonial the consecrating http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/12386b.htmshould be assisted by twelve http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/12406a.htm, seven http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/04647c.htm, and seven http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/14320a.htm. The oil and balsam, being prepared in the http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/13322b.htmbeforehand, are carried in solemn procession to the sanctuary after the Communion, and placed on a table. Then the balsam, held on a silver salver, is blessed, and similarly the olive-oil, which is reserved in a silver jar. After this the balsam is mixed with the oil. Then, the chrism, being perfected with a final http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/12345b.htm, receives the homage of all the sacred http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/10326a.htmpresent, making each a triple genuflection towards it, and each time saying the words, Ave sanctum chrisma. After the http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/03538b.htmit is taken back to the http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/13322b.htm, and distributed among the http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/12406a.htmwho take it away in silver vessels commonly called oil-stocks, what remains being securely and reverently guarded under lock and key. (Cf. Catalani, Com. in Rom. Pont., I, 120; Bernard. Le Pontifical, II, 470-495.) Use and significanceChrism is used in the administration of the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/11279a.htm, in the http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/04276a.htmof churches, http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/03561a.htm, http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/11541b.htm, altars, and altar-stones, and in the solemn blessing of bells and http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/02258b.htmwater. The head of the newly-baptized is anointed with chrism, the forehead of the http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/11726a.htmconfirmed, the head and hands of a http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/02581b.htmat his http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/04276a.htm, and the hands of a http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/12406a.htmat his http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/11279a.htm. So are the walls of churches, which are solemnly http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/04276a.htm, anointed with the same holy oil, and the parts of the http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/01357e.htmused in the Mass which come in contact with the Sacred Species, as the http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/11541b.htmand http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/03561a.htm. If it be asked why chrism has been thus introduced into the functions of the church liturgy, a reason is found in its special fitness for this purpose by reason of its symbolical significance. For olive-oil, being of its own nature rich, diffusive, and abiding, is fitted to represent the copious outpouring of sacramental grace, while balsam, which gives forth most agreeable and fragrant odours, typifies the innate sweetness of http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/15472a.htm. Oil also gives strength and suppleness to the limbs, while balsam preserves from corruption. Thus anointing with chrism aptly signifies that fulness of grace and spiritual strength by which we are enabled to resist the contagion of http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/14004b.htmand produce the sweet flowers of http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/15472a.htm. "For we are the good odour of Christ unto http://wiki.answers.com/../cathen/06608a.htm" (2 Corinthians 2:15).

CHRISM is an association for all Christians who see their secular employment as a primary field of Christian ministry and for those who would support and encourage that vision. Most of us during our major active years spend the bulk of our time, talents and energy in secular occupations of some sort, some paid, some unpaid. All of us have responsibilities and some degree of power in those roles, some are even in positions where the decisions we make can affect the lives and well-being of thousands of our fellow men and women. For those who are also Christian ministers it is vital to see how the great Christian truths are fully consistent with our working experience and with contemporary scientific and social understanding, for an essential part of our ministry must be to support and nurture those around us who also recognise and apply these truths in their working lives or are seeking to do so. The fundamental aims of CHRISM are:

To help ourselves and others to celebrate the presence of God and the holiness of life in our work, and to see and tell the Christian story there.