Q: When anointing the Catechumen with oil is it always placed on the hands or is that just a preferred method ?  Also is it the Oil of the Catechumen that is used for this anointing ?  

I know during a normal baptism of a child the oil of the catechumen is placed on the chest and the chrism oil is placed on the head.

Thank You and God Bless !

==

A: OCIA 103 says a deacon or priest anoints the catechumens “on the breast or on each hand or even on other parts of the body, if this seems appropriate.”

Yes, it’s the oil of catechumens, which in the past has been called the oil of exorcism and is sometimes in a jar labeled OS for Olea Sacra. For more on this, see my book, Sacred Oils.

Incidentally, “catechumen” is singular. “catechumens” is plural.

View All Blog Posts | Explore Books | Submit a Blog Question | Share Post via Email