The Ceremonies of the Holy-Week at Rome by Charles Michael Baggs
page 64 of 154 (41%)
page 64 of 154 (41%)
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Cyprian, who says "The eucharist, and the oil, with which the baptised
are anointed, are sanctified at the altar". Ep. 70. It would appear however from the 20th canon of the first council of Toledo that anciently chrism could be blessed _at any time_; and hence Benedict XIV is of opinion, that the custom of blessing it only on holy Thursday began about the seventh century; for it is mentioned in the Sacramentary of S. Gregory, in the old Ordo Romanus, and in other works written after that period. This day has been with reason chosen for this ceremony, as St. Thomas observes, in order that the chrism may be prepared for the solemn baptism administered on Easter Eve; and because on it the Eucharistic sacrament, for which the other sacraments are as it were preparatory, was instituted. S. Isidore however assigns a different reason, viz. that two days before the pasch Mary _anointed_ the head and feet of the Lord". De Divi Off. lib. 2, c. 28. [Sidenote: Meaning of the ceremonies already described.] Pouget (Institut. Cath. t. 2, c. 8) proves that the blessing of the oils originates in apostolic tradition, as St. Basil cited above observes. He proves also that since the fifth and sixth centuries the bishop and priests used to breathe three times over the chrism and oil of catechumens, and to salute them with the words "Ave sanctum chrisma: ave sanctum oleum". Our Saviour breathed on His apostles, when He said 'Receive ye the holy Ghost': and hence his ministers breathe over the chrism, by which the Holy Ghost is conferred in confirmation, and over the oil of catechumens, which is used in other sacred rites. Respect is paid to them, because they are employed in God's service, and hence it is a relative respect directed to Him. |
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