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Chrism

post #1 of 16
10/9/10 at 5:17am
Thread Starter 
not sure this warrants its own thread, but I had to share this interesting article about Chrism, the fragrant annointing oil used by the Catholic church...
http://glasspetalsmoke.blogspot.com/...-for-soul.html
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post #2 of 16
10/9/10 at 7:19am
  • kbe
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How interesting rtamara! Thanks for sharing.
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post #3 of 16
10/9/10 at 10:06am
Thread Starter 
Isn't it, though? I have to admit that it makes me want to go to church on Holy Thursday for the sole purpose of catching a whiff of the Chrism. Apologies to Sr. Mary John
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post #4 of 16
10/9/10 at 2:56pm
Interesting. Growing up Catholic, I was always moved by the different fragrances of mass and in the church itself. I could write essay after essay about my olfactory connection with the Church.

Still, the juvenile schoolboy in me, sitting in the back pew cannot stop snickering at the word "Chrism". It sounds like a rather lewd portmanteau!
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post #5 of 16
10/9/10 at 7:40pm
That was fascinating! I'm "tempted" to buy some to see what it smells like. Also, I find this interesting.
THE POPE'S COLOGNE
A truly extraordinary cologne with surprising freshness and notes of violet and citrus, The Pope's Cologne is a classic Old World cologne made from the private formula of Pope Pius IX (1792-1878). The formula was obtained from descendants of the commander of his Papal Guard and lifelong friend, General Charles Charette. The complex, exclusive formula was followed meticulously, using the same essential oils that his perfumers used 150 years ago. Recently featured in INSIDE THE VATICAN magazine. Made in the USA. 2-ounce bottle in gift box.
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post #6 of 16
10/9/10 at 7:53pm
Thread Starter 
I don't think one can buy Chrism, though, Odysseusm. I believe it is only made for ritual use. Which makes it all the more tempting and desirable!
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post #7 of 16
10/10/10 at 8:58am
That was very interesting. I don't think I've ever smelled Chrism. I love the scent of frankincense used in the church censor. Our church - Episcopal - uses it at the Christmas Eve mass. I'm really tempted now to attend the Holy Thursday mass at our local RC church so I can experience Chrism. Also interesting about the Pope's cologne, Ody. And I didn't realize that Benedictine and Chartreuse were still made by the monks. And I'm very pleased about all of this!
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post #8 of 16
10/10/10 at 6:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by rtamara41 View Post

I don't think one can buy Chrism, though, Odysseusm. I believe it is only made for ritual use. Which makes it all the more tempting and desirable!

Oh but you can. Didn't you know that everything is for sale???
http://www.holyroodguild.com/xcart2/...m-Essence.html
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post #9 of 16
10/10/10 at 7:33pm
  • kbe
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Right Ody..and in the handy party size 3 gallon decant too.
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post #10 of 16
10/11/10 at 6:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by odysseusm View Post

Oh but you can. Didn't you know that everything is for sale???
http://www.holyroodguild.com/xcart2/...m-Essence.html

Well, it's their own blend. It's not the real deal.
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post #11 of 16
10/11/10 at 9:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by lilybelle View Post

Well, it's their own blend. It's not the real deal.

I love the air of mystery and the sacrosanct aspect, very much.
However, the following is what I find.
"The Holy Rood Guild, a part of St. Joseph’s Abbey, has been producing Chrism for over 30 years. The formula for the anointing oil is as secret as the identity of the Chrism maker; a single monk in charge of meeting the Chrism needs for half of the Roman Catholic Dioceses in the United States."
And that Holy Rood link (of the Cistercians) takes one to the product page. The concentrate is intended to be blended with olive oil and used liturgically. So, as I understand it, it is the real deal, namely what one would encounter in a Roman Catholic setting.
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post #12 of 16
10/12/10 at 6:21am
Quote:
Originally Posted by odysseusm View Post

I love the air of mystery and the sacrosanct aspect, very much.
However, the following is what I find.
"The Holy Rood Guild, a part of St. Joseph’s Abbey, has been producing Chrism for over 30 years. The formula for the anointing oil is as secret as the identity of the Chrism maker; a single monk in charge of meeting the Chrism needs for half of the Roman Catholic Dioceses in the United States."
And that Holy Rood link (of the Cistercians) takes one to the product page. The concentrate is intended to be blended with olive oil and used liturgically. So, as I understand it, it is the real deal, namely what one would encounter in a Roman Catholic setting.

Thanks for the correction, Ody. I suppose it's good that anyone can purchase some, but it bothers me a little. I was going to ramble off on a longer post about this, but best not get into that territory here.
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post #13 of 16
10/12/10 at 6:32pm
I share your ambivalence, lillybelle. Part of what makes something sacrosanct, special; is its limited application in controlled (and ritualized) circumstances among like-minded community.
Maybe we can think of it this way: the "raw materials" which would be put to liturgical use and taken to a higher plane are available for all consumers, including strictly secular ones.
I think that is as it should be. And we can leave the mystery to the ceremony, where it happily resides.
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post #14 of 16
10/13/10 at 6:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by odysseusm View Post

...And we can leave the mystery to the ceremony, where it happily resides.

Yes.
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post #15 of 16
10/13/10 at 9:46am
Thanks for posting that link. It's so interesting. I never even realized the oil had a name or that they'd be different for different occasions. I do remember it smelling of frankincense and myrrh and olive oil primarily and I can see the patchouli coming into play, it did have a sort of mintiness to it in the way it feels on the skin, sort of warm and tingly. I've never seen it sold at religious stores although I have seen the incense blends sold, unfortunately it comes in giant containers only, so I've never bought it. high mass with incense makes me so sleepy, it's so weird how it almost puts you in a trance, super relaxed.
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post #16 of 16
10/13/10 at 1:59pm
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Originally Posted by jacona View Post

high mass with incense makes me so sleepy, it's so weird how it almost puts you in a trance, super relaxed.

Last year I went to a Catholic supply store and dropped over $100 on different liturgical incenses. I love it. I have a huge loft with high ceilings and I've even painted some gothic looking archway designs on one wall-- the incense really complements everything-- and it's very powerful, but thankfully I have enough square footage that it doesn't choke me out. If I burn some of this earlier in the day and then leave and come back, my place smells incredible; so much better than some Bed, Bath and Beyond candle.
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