BALSAMO

BALSAM. — An ointment widely used by pagans and therefore reproved by Christians. Nevertheless, from the 4th century there is evidence of the practice of mixing the balsam with chrism during the consecration of the latter on Holy Thursday, a rite which was formerly performed, as it still is in Milan, before Mass. Today, in the Roman rite, it is performed during the Holy Sacrifice. Although from the beginning the mixing of balsam with oil seems to have been enjoined under grave precept and considered necessary to obtain chrism, it is difficult to specify the reason, which, however, may be indicated by the relevant liturgical prayers. The balsam is first blessed, then the bishop accompanies the mixing with this invitatory: “Let us pray to God that He may bless and blessed, saying holiness in the virtue of the Holy Trinity, these juices drawn from different kinds of creatures and, when mixed together, become one thing, and that whoever is sprinkled with it by us externally may also receive it internally...” This suggests the words of St. Paul: “We are the good odour of Christ” (Eph. 5:2). Medieval liturgists saw other equivalent meanings in II. Durandus commented: “To the oil which shines is added the balsam so that we may shine with active faith and give a fragrance to the honour of God and to the benefit of our neighbour” (Rationale divinorum officiorum, LXXIV, 10).