Church Background: Holy Oils

As we pass by the baptismal font, we also pass the ambry. This is the term for the cabinet that contains the holy oils used for several sacraments. The ambry contains Oil of Infirmed used in the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. There is the Oil of Catechumens, used to bless adults preparing to join the church (called catechumens) and to anoint infants who have been baptized to remind them that they are joining Jesus as priest, prophet and king. Then there is the Sacred Chrism. This oil is used for Confirmation, for ordination of priests, and to bless a new altar. As we pass by the baptismal font we are near the items used for the three sacraments of initiation: Eucharist (in the Tabernacle), Confirmation (Chrism in the ambry) and Baptism (of course at the baptismal font).