The Oil of the Catechumens is the
oil used in Christian churches during baptism; it is believed to strengthen the
one being baptized to turn away from evil, temptation and sin. The catechumen,
the person prepared for baptism, is also anointed as a symbol of being the heir
of the Kingdom of God, as kings and queens were anointed at coronations, and
empowered for their Christian life as prophets were anointed for their
ministry. Oil of Catechumens is intended to help strengthen the person about to
be baptized, and prepare them for the struggle (ascesis) of the Christian life,
the way a wrestler in ancient Greece and Rome was anointed before a wrestling match.
The ilustration is a detail from the Seven Sacraments Altarpiece by Rogier van
der Weyden. In the lower left the priest is anointing an infant before it is
baptized ■
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