Psalm
133. How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity! It
is like precious oil on the head.
The sweet fragrance of Holy Oil,
blessed by the Bishop, is always present at the Wednesday morning Eucharist in
the Chapel. At the close of the Communion service, those who wish to pray for a
special need, or celebration, are invited to kneel at the altar. One of the
clergy hears the prayer and responds, anointing the forehead with oil.
The beautiful part of this tradition
is that all the other parishioners rise and lay hands on the one who is
kneeling. This tender display of unity often brings tears to my eyes. It is
such a beautiful gesture of Christian Love.
At the 10:15 service on Sunday, during
the Communion, members of the Healing Hands Ministry wait, at the statue of the
Madonna in the East Transept, to pray and lay hands on all who wish to pray
with them. As we are lay people, we make the sign of the cross, using fragrant
Holy Oil, on the forehead of the supplicant, saying, “In the name of the
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.”This is another sign of The Blessedness of Unity.
Surely, the fragrance of this
anointing is pleasing to God.
—
Mary
Friedlander
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