SACRED OIL. - The term, also in canon law (can. 1271), is applied to vegetable, animal or adulterated products resembling oil; but in the proper and canonical sense (cans. 734 ff., 781, 945 ff.) it denotes the liquid pressed from ripe olives, consecrated to serve as matter in certain Sacraments and in consecrations.
In literature, in art, in religious symbolism, oil is often used as a figure of abundance, joy, strength, sweetness, fertility and incorruptibility; it is also taken to indicate certain realities of the supernatural order: Grace, mercy, the outpouring of the charisms of the Holy Spirit (Sum. Theol., 3rd, q. 72, a. 2 ff.). For this reason, from antiquity it was used in sacred worship, as in the consecration of altars, vessels and places (Gen. 28, 18; 35, 14; Ex. 30, 24 ff.; 40, 9 ff.), of priests (ibid. 29, 7 ff.; Lev. 8, 11), of kings (I Reg. 10, 1; 16, 13); in sacrifices and in the oblations of first-fruits (Lev. 2, 1 ff.; Deut. 14, 23); in the purification of lepers (Lev. 14). The Savior is called "Christ" (Anointed) by antonomasia. In the New Testament it is used to heal the sick, in Extreme Unction, mixed with aromas to honor guests (Lk. 7, 46; Jn. 11, 2), in burial (ibid. 19, 40; Mk. 16, 1), etc. Holy oil, distinct from oil for lamps (can. 1271; v. LAMP) and from that blessed for the use of the faithful (Rituale, tit. 8, ch. 19), is oil blessed with a constitutive blessing by the bishop with a solemn rite. Consecration is distinguished from blessing by the use of holy oil. This is of three kinds: 1) holy oil of the sick (oleum infirmorum): it is the matter of Extreme Unction, also used to bless bells externally; 2) oil of Catechumens (Sanctum oleum, Oleum catechumenorum): used in Baptism, to anoint the hands of the newly ordained priest, to pour into the baptismal font; 3) Holy Chrism (oil mixed with balsam): matter of Confirmation, used in all consecrations, to be poured into the baptismal font, on the head of the newly baptized and of new bishops, whose hands are also anointed.
Essential is the blessing, usually performed on Holy Thursday by the bishop; the Pope can probably delegate to a simple priest the faculty of blessing Chrism; certainly that of blessing the oil of the sick (can. 945), a faculty used in the ordinary way by Eastern priests. For liceity it is required that the holy oils be recent, that is, of the current year; but in an urgent case the old holy oils may be used within 4 years, provided they are not corrupted (Collectanea S. C. Prop. Fide, nn. 183; 263; 1965, 3-4). In case of need, pure oil may be added in a smaller quantity (can. 734); the operation may be repeated. They must be kept in church in a distinct place, in sealed and well-closed vessels; in case of necessity they may be kept at home. The parish priest must promptly obtain them from his own bishop; and this important act may have various local norms. Transmission by post or courier is excluded; it is lawful by means of a trusted layman (Collectanea cit., n. 2106).
In an improper sense, a liquid similar to oil coming from the tombs or relics of certain saints is also customarily called holy oil, also called "oleum martyris" (Paulinus of Nola, Carmen, 18, 38-48: PL 61, 491) or "manna" (Gregory of Tours, De mirac., I, 30: PL 71, 934, for example, of St. Martin, St. Nicholas of Bari).
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