Chrism Mass

The ancient Christian Apostolic Tradition (c. 200 A.D.) described a "ceremony taking place during the Easter Vigil at which two holy oils were blessed and one was consecrated.Balsam is poured into the oil, which gives it a sweet smell intended to remind those who encounter it of the "odor of sanctity" to which those who are marked with it, are called to strive.[15] The service is a 1967 restoration of the rite recorded in the early 200s by the historian Hippolytus who writes of a ceremony taking place during the Easter Vigil at which two holy oils were blessed and one was consecrated.The change took place not only due to the large crowds that assembled for the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night, but to fully emphasize Christ's institution of the ordained priesthood during what is traditionally called The Last Supper.[3] In the decree renewing this rite Pope Paul VI said “The Chrism Mass is one of the principal expressions of the fullness of the bishop’s priesthood and signifies the closeness of the priests with him.”[3]
Blessing of the Chrism on Maundy Thursday in the Lateran Basilica . Signed P. Villanueva, circa 1900
Blessing Chrism
ChristmasLateran BasilicaRoman CatholicismLutheranismAnglicanismMaundy ThursdayHoly WeekliturgiesChristian liturgical calendarApostolic TraditiondiocesearchdioceseChrismBaptismConfirmationHoly Ordersoil of catechumensAnointing of the SickCatechumensHoly SaturdayEaster VigilHoly SpiritGospelapostlesProsper GuérangerPontificate of Pope Pius XIIcathedralholy oilssacramentsparishesbishoparchbishopcardinalHippolytusMass of the Lord's SupperChristThe Last SupperPope Paul VIconsecratedEvangelical Lutheran Church in AmericaWayback MachineLiturgical yearCatholic ChurchOrdinary FormRoman RiteLatin Church1969 CalendarAdventImmaculate ConceptionDecember 17 to 23Christmas SeasonChristmas EveMidnight MassHoly FamilyMary, Mother of GodEpiphanyBaptism of the LordOrdinary TimePresentation of the LordAsh WednesdaySaint JosephAnnunciationPalm SundayPaschal TriduumHoly ThursdayGood FridayEaster SeasonEaster SundayOctaveDivine Mercy SundayAscensionPentecostTrinity SundayCorpus ChristiSacred HeartVisitationNativity of John the BaptistSaints Peter and PaulTransfigurationAssumptionNativity of MaryExaltation of the CrossAll Saints' Day / All Hallows' DayAll Saints' Eve / All Hallows' EveAll Souls' DayPresentation of MaryChrist the KingTridentine Mass1960 CalendarRorate MassGreater FeriasWinter Ember DaysOctave Day of ChristmasHoly Name of JesusEpiphany SeasonPurification of MaryPre-LentSeptuagesimaSexagesimaQuinquagesimaSpring Ember DaysPassiontidePassion SundayTenebraeRogation DaysPentecost SeasonSummer Ember DaysSaint John the BaptistPrecious BloodAutumn Ember DaysMaternity of MaryRoman Ritualholy days of obligationpre-1955TridentineLiturgical coloursRankingComputusEaster cycle