SACRED OIL. – The term, also in canon law (can. 1271), applies to products of vegetable or animal origin, or adulterated products, resembling oil; but in its proper and canonical sense (cann. 734 ff., 781, 945 ff.) it denotes the liquid, pressed from ripe olives, consecrated to serve as the matter in certain Sacraments and consecrations.
In literature, art, and religious symbolism, oil is often used as a figure of abundance, joy, strength, sweetness, fertility, and incorruptibility; it is also taken to signify certain realities of the supernatural order: Grace, mercy, and the outpouring of the charisms of the Holy Spirit (Sum. Theol., 3°, 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), and of kings (I Reg. 10, 1; 16, 13); in sacrifices and offerings of first fruits (Lev. 2, 1 ff.; Deut. 14, 23); and in the purification of lepers (Lev. 14). The Savior is called “Christ” (Anointed One) par excellence. In the New Testament it is used to heal the sick, in Extreme Unction, mixed with spices to honor guests (Lc. 7, 46; Io. 11, 2), in burial (ibid. 19, 40; Mc. 16, 1), etc. The s. o., distinct from oil for lamps (can. 1271; V. LAMPADA) and from that blessed for the use of the faithful (Rituale, tit. 8, cap. 19), is oil blessed with a constitutive blessing by the bishop in a solemn rite. Consecration is distinguished from blessing by the use of s. o. There are three kinds: 1) s. o. of the sick (oleum infirmorum): this is the matter of Extreme Unction, and is also used to bless bells externally; 2) of the Catechumens (Sanctum oleum, Oleum catechumenorum): used in Baptism, to anoint the hands of the newly ordained priest, and to pour into the baptismal font; 3) Holy Chrism (oil mixed with balsam): the matter of Confirmation, used in all consecrations, and poured into the baptismal font, on the heads of the newly baptized and newly consecrated bishops, whose hands are also anointed.
The essential element is the blessing, usually performed by the bishop on Holy Thursday; the Pope may probably delegate to a simple priest the faculty of blessing the Chrism; certainly that of blessing the oil of the sick (can. 945), a faculty ordinarily exercised by Eastern priests. For liceity, it is required that the s. o. be recent, that is, from the current year; but in urgent cases old s. o. may be used for up to four years, provided that they have not deteriorated (Collectanea S. C. Prop. Fide, nn. 183; 263; 1965, 3-4). In case of need, a smaller quantity of pure oil may be added (can. 734); the operation may be repeated. They must be kept in the church in a separate place, in sealed and tightly closed vessels; when necessary, they may be kept at home. The parish priest must promptly obtain them from his own bishop; and this important act may be subject to various local regulations. Transmission by post or courier is excluded; it is licit through a trustworthy layperson (Collectanea cit., n. 2106).
In an improper sense, s. o. is also sometimes used to designate a liquid resembling oil that comes from the tombs or relics of certain saints, also called “oleum martyris” (Paolino da Nola, Carmen, 18, 38-48: PL 61, 491) or “manna” (Gregorio di Tours, De mirac., I, 30: PL 71, 934, for example, that of s. Martino and s. Nicola di Bari).