What Is Chrism in the Bible?
Object
Perfumed oil that the bishop consecrates every year. It is used to anoint at Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Orders.
It can mean
- When it is consecrated: on Holy Thursday, at the Chrism Mass, the bishop consecrates it for his whole diocese.
- What it means: the gift of the Holy Spirit. “Christian” means “anointed.”
- Where it is kept: with respect, in a safe place in the church, together with the other holy oils.
- In the Bible: Samuel anointed Saul as king with a small flask of oil.
Where it appears in the Bible
1 Samuel 10:1
What the Bible says
1 Samuel 10:1
And Samuel took a little vial of oil and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said: Behold, the Lord hath anointed thee to be prince over his inheritance, and thou shalt deliver his people out of the hands of their enemies, that are round about them. And this shall be a sign unto thee, that God hath anointed thee to be prince.
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
Source: Catechism 1241, 1297 and 1183; RAE, “crisma”