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The Ceremonies of the Holy-Week at Rome by Charles Michael Baggs
page 64 of 154 (41%)
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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