The Blessing of the Holy Oils

Recital of the Terce and Eucharist for the Blessing of the Holy Oils
presided over by His Excellency Monsignor Archbishop All morning services are suspended

It is possible to the celebration live on television on the digital terrestrial channel 195 and in streaming on the Diocese of Milan website (www.chiesadimilano.it).

On the morning of Holy Thursday, despite the limitations due to the current health situation, the Duomo is transformed into an authentic liturgical centre of the entire Ambrosian Church: it is here that a representation of the diocesan presbytery converges for the solemn Chrism Mass presided over by the Archbishop, during which the Chrism is consecrated, and the Oil of the Catechumens and the Oil of the Sick are blessed.

White is the colour of the vestments used by the Archbishop, the only ritual exception at this time. An Ambrosian characteristic throughout Holy Week is, in fact, the use of the liturgical colour red: more than a penitential aspect, which predominated during Lent, the emphasis shifts therefore to the Mystery of the Body given and of the Blood shed, as well as to the centrality of the Cross and the redemptive Passion.

The amphorae containing the oils are in front of the altar, whose blessing has preserved, in the Ambrosian liturgy, the traditional location: prior to the Eucharist Prayer, the consecration of the Chrism, and the blessing of the Oil of the Catechumens, and only prior to the conclusion of the Eucharist Prayer is the blessing of the Oil of the Sick. Furthermore, at the moment of the Chrism’s consecration, the Archbishop infuses balms and perfumed essences into the amphora.

At the end of the Mass, the blessed Oils are conserved in the Sacristy of the Duomo, where they remain available to all the Parishes of the Diocese, for the administration of the Sacraments throughout the year.