Anointing oil can be used as part of a blessing ceremony.
Anointing with oil is an ancient tradition often associated with religious practice. It is the process of applying oil or an oil ointment to a person during a religious ceremony or blessing. For Catholics, anointing with oil is often used as a consecration and should not be performed by anyone except for a priest, unless the priest has given you council to anoint someone else with oil.
Instructions
1. Ask for guidance from your parish priest if you are not a member of the clergy and want to anoint someone with oil. The priest will give you personal and specific guidance about the process and he will also consecrate, or bless, the oil for you.
2. To perform a consecration with oil, pour a small amount of the oil onto your right thumb.
3. Paint a cross with your oiled thumb on the person's forehead. As you are making the cross, say aloud the person's name, then "I anoint you with oil in the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."
4. Say any prayers with the person that you have been advised to say by your parish priest. There may not be any specific prayers accompanying the ceremony, but if there are prayers to say, do so immediately after applying the oil.
Tags: anoint someone, parish priest, your parish, your parish priest