Oil of Catachumens

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What is it for? (the oil of Catechumens).

I attended our diocese’s Chrism Mass yesterday, and saw the Bishop bless all three oils. I understand the oil of the sick and the Chrism.

At RCIA last evening, I asked our pastor “what is the oil of Catechumens, what is it used for?” and he replied “it’s optional and we don’t use it.” Really a non-answer, I know.

Thanks!
 
It is used for a blessing preparatory to Baptism to strengthen the catachumen on his journey. It is not usually used in infant baptisms since that rite leads to immediate Baptism and anointing with Chrism. It is being revived in the RCIA process for preparing adults, and children, for the sacraments of initiation. Our diocese now requires it. For the first couple of years we did it on Holy Saturday morning. However, we now do it in late November or early December and a step toward the Lenten rites.

As the catechumens approach the Easter Vigil the attacks on their incipient faith increase, and doubts run rampant. They need all the prayers and blessings we can give them to strengthen them for this battle.
 
Perhaps this is the oil they use during the scrutinies too? They are especially for catechumens.
 
Well, we did not do any of the rites nor any of the scrutinies. Perhaps that explains why we don’t use the oil of catechumens!

I hope that the priest does not take similar short-cuts during our baptisms and confirmations!
 
GwenL said:
What is it for? (the oil of Catechumens).

I attended our diocese’s Chrism Mass yesterday, and saw the Bishop bless all three oils. I understand the oil of the sick and the Chrism.

At RCIA last evening, I asked our pastor “what is the oil of Catechumens, what is it used for?” and he replied “it’s optional and we don’t use it.” Really a non-answer, I know.

Thanks!
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The Oil of Catechumens is used for the first pre-baptismal anointing during an infant Baptism and also can be(should be) used during the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens.
 
GwenL said:
Well, we did not do any of the rites nor any of the scrutinies. Perhaps that explains why we don’t use the oil of catechumens!

I hope that the priest does not take similar short-cuts during our baptisms and confirmations!
Click to expand...
They are optional I think. However, I always did all, or most of, the rites available. *

Two reasons for this:
  1. As I said the catechumens and candidates need all the spiritual help they can get in the final weeks.
  2. I wanted the congregation to be aware that people are working hard to get what they already have, and to understand better what they already have.*
 
GwenL said:
Well, we did not do any of the rites nor any of the scrutinies. Perhaps that explains why we don’t use the oil of catechumens!

I hope that the priest does not take similar short-cuts during our baptisms and confirmations!
Click to expand...
You would not participate in any Rites or Scrutinies if you do not have anyone being Baptized.
 
Joe_Kelley said:
They are optional I think. However, I always did all, or most of, the rites available. *

Two reasons for this:
  1. As I said the catechumens and candidates need all the spiritual help they can get in the final weeks.
  2. I wanted the congregation to be aware that people are working hard to get what they already have, and to understand better what they already have.*
The Oil of catechumens is always used at the beginning of an Infant Baptism. The Rite of Acceptance is also NOT optional for an unbaptized person seeking Baptism. ( unless we are talking about Emergency Baptism)
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Br Rich, we have nine people at our parish being baptized and confirmed on Easter Vigil. I’m one of them. We did no rite of acceptance, no rite of election, no scrutinies.

I tried to (gently and charitably) ask our priest about the rite of acceptance and if we were going to do that. His answer: “we don’t bother with that here, unless you have a problem with that.” At that time, it was too late for me to start over with another parish on the RCIA process.

I’ve gotten spiritual help and direction elsewhere. Easter Mass will be my last one at this parish.
 
The Rite of Acceptance is the most moving of the Rites, second only to the Vigil itself. Why any priest would want to skip that is beyong me. The best way to convert a priest to doing them is to actually have it done to him. In workshops that I have attended for priests, and RCIA coordinators and team members, we have actually modeled the Rites allowing all present to experience them as if they were catechumens. If that doesn’t convince them, nothing will. Many of the reactions we get are amazing, especially from priests and deacons. They just don’t realize how wonderful these rites are since they are simply the ones presiding at them. But once they have them done to them, they see the light…hopefully, unless they are so closed minded.
 
GwenL said:
Br Rich, we have nine people at our parish being baptized and confirmed on Easter Vigil. I’m one of them. We did no rite of acceptance, no rite of election, no scrutinies.

I tried to (gently and charitably) ask our priest about the rite of acceptance and if we were going to do that. His answer: “we don’t bother with that here, unless you have a problem with that.” At that time, it was too late for me to start over with another parish on the RCIA process.

I’ve gotten spiritual help and direction elsewhere. Easter Mass will be my last one at this parish.
Click to expand...
Your Initiation Sacraments will be validly received, you have done nothing wrong. I’m sorry your parish and pastor has choosen to ignore the Rites of the Church, but that does happen in many parishes to various degrees.
 
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