BALSAM. - An ointment much used by the pagans and therefore rejected by Christians. Nevertheless, from the 4th century there is evidence of the use of mixing b. with chrism during its consecration on Holy Thursday, a rite that was formerly performed, as it still is in Milan, before the Mass. Today in the Roman rite it is performed during the Holy Sacrifice. Although from the beginning the mixture of b. with oil seems to have been imposed under grave precept and held necessary for having chrism, it is difficult to specify the reason, which can nevertheless be indicated by the relative liturgical prayers. The b. is first blessed, then the bishop accompanies the mixture with this invitatory: "Let us pray God to bless and, by blessing, to sanctify in the power of the Holy Trinity these juices drawn from different kinds of creatures, and to grant us that, mixed together, they may become one, and that whoever is sprinkled with them by us outwardly may also receive them inwardly...". This brings to mind the words of St. Paul: "We are the good odor of Christ" (Eph. 5, 2). Medieval liturgists saw other equivalent meanings. Durandus commented: "To the oil that shines is added the b. because we must shine by faith working through love and give forth fragrance to the honor of God and for the benefit of neighbor" (Rationale divinorum officiorum, LXXIV, 10). V. CRISMA.
Bibliography
Enrico Cattaneo