Holy Oils

The Oil of Initiation
The Oil of initiation is traced over the heart of the candidate preparing for Baptism with the prayer,
``We anoint you with the oil of salvation in the name of Christ our Savior; may he strengthen you with his power, who lives and reigns for ever and ever."
One of the most interesting things about this oil, when Baptizing an infant is the connection to a minor exorcism. The prayer that Christ may strengthen the one for Baptism is simultaneously “to cast out the power of Satan, spirit of evil…We pray for this child: set her free from original sin and make her a temple of your glory.”
The use of this oil is not merely cosmetic, but positively effects a change in the person’s life trajectory. This oil is worthy of veneration.
The Oil of the Sick
The Oil of the Sick is used in the Sacrament of Anointing, it is intended for the sick, for those undergoing a steady decline of health, those preparing for major surgery and similar cases. This Oil and the accompanying prayer are extraordinary, since it has the power to absolve sin if the person is incapable of speech, or otherwise impossible to speak confidentially, such as in a crowded room of family or medical personnel (this is why it may only be administered by a priest).
While anointing the forehead and the palms of the hands, the priest prays, “Through this holy anointing, may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up."
This oil is also rightly an object of devotion, to pray for sick loved ones and ask for courage to bear our own illnesses.
Sacred Chrism
Sacred Chrism is more than blessed oil, it is oil consecrated by the bishop. Just as the bread and wine are more than blessed at Mass but are in fact consecrated into the Real Presence of Jesus’ Body and Blood.
Chrism establishes a person, place or thing the permanent service of God. Such items as the altar are anointed with Chrism, the church building itself is consecrated with Chrism. But the greatest receiver of Chrism’s consecration is the human person.
Chrism is first received on the crown of the head at Baptism, the forehead at Confirmation, and the palms of the hands of the priest (interestingly, this is why a priest who receives the anointing of the sick is anointed on the back of his hands, since his palms are already consecrated.)