The Holy Cross Mass is celebrated until noon on the large Thursday. It is besides called the Oil Mass. This is due to the fact that during this liturgy the bishop consecrated the crucifix and blessed the oils of the sick and catechumens. How do they rise? The liturgist, Fr Stanislaw Szczepaniec, is liable for preparing oils for the Archdiocese of Krakow, Fr Łukasz Jachemiak.
Great preparations
Big Tuesday. Evening. economical area at Wawel Cathedral. This is where the last work is going on to prepare the oils for this year's Holy Cross Mass. There's only a fewer days left. Sister Cecilia is active in this process for the 13th time. Fr Luke 3. Work on the cross starts in winter. This is primarily about gathering the essential ingredients. This year's oil was imported from northern Italy. He reached the Wawel Hill in February.
However, direct preparations only begin around the large Week. It usually lasts 2 or 3 days. The tradition is that the process is held by the vicar of the Archathedal parish. This is due to past and the fact that for many years Mass of the Holy Cross was celebrated in the cathedral. This year, like last year, it will be held in the Sanctuary of St. John Paul II, but the preparation of holy oils inactive belongs to the duties of the priests of Wawel. 1 of the sacristians' sisters is helping. “We usually start on the large Monday and accompany us with the Gospel sister about how Mary anointed Jesus with precious oil,” explains Fr Łukasz Jahymiak. – Our individual tradition is that erstwhile we prepare the oil of the cross, we say prayer together, or actually psalms. In specified an atmosphere, this mixture is formed – adds, heating the oil in a peculiar pan. During this time, Sister Cecilia carefully marks the dishes. White ribbons mean cross, purple - sick oil and yellow - catechumen oil. Precision is essential to avoid confusion erstwhile separating oils on Thursday.
Old Testament Tradition
The meaning of the cross can be found in the prayer of consecration. – It refers first to events and texts from the Old Testament, which show how the signs of oil and anointing were applied in the past of the chosen nation. The combination of washing and anointing is besides clearly indicated in prayer. This mystery, already present in the Old Covenant, was most full revealed in Jesus Christ, upon whom the Holy Spirit descended after leaving the waters of Jordan. For this Holy Spirit the Church prays for further part of the consecrated prayer: “We beseech you, O God, to sanctify this oil with your blessing, let the power of the Holy Spirit penetrate it in favour of the co-operation of the power of Christ your Son,” explains Fr Stanislaw Szczepanec.
The president of the Archdiocese Committee on Liturgy and Liturgical Pastoral Ministry and the Consul of the Committee on Divine Culture and the Discipline of Sacraments at the Polish Episcopal Conference explains that the oil of the cross is utilized in the sacrament of baptism. It is besides anointed by the sacraments of confirmation and ordination. – The Church utilized them in the first centuries. This tradition continues to this day – he emphasizes.
On the Holy Thursday, after the Holy Cross Mass is completed, along with another holy oils, it is taken to parishes and rectorates to service in pastoral ministry there.
How is the crucifix prepared?
The main component of the crude oil is olive oil. Must be good quality. It adds aromas that give a mixture a characteristic smell. – The provisions in this respect are the same for the full Catholic Church. In any east Churches, more ingredients are added to the oil, with their symbolism," says Fr.
Oil, which this year will be consecrated on the Kraków White Seas, apart from olive oil and nard oil, is enriched with the aromas of myrrh and Damascus rose. His herbal odor is all over the room. Fr Luke and Sister Cecilia prepare about 35 liters of the cross each year.
In addition, they besides prepare the oils of the sick and catechumens. Vicars of the Archatedal parish of St. Stanislaus BM and St. Wenceslas open 1 of the dishes with a purple ribbon. – This is besides a composition of oils: olive oil, respective types of natural oils: Geranim, lavender and rosewood. Additionally – according to the old recipe – we besides add Szostakowski's lotion, which soothes all wounds. It is used, for example, to treat hard to heal wounds, specified as the lesion. another oils besides have medical properties. The rose has a soothing effect on the skin, while lavender calms. So is Geranium. It's the symbolism on which we are based. This oil, even from the physical side, is intended to bring comfort in the illness – Fr Jahymiak explains.
It takes between 15 and 25 kilograms of flowers to produce 5 milliliters of rose oil. The rose, however, gives the oil a delicate sweet fragrance, so it is impossible to leave without it.
The oil of catechumens smells completely different. In addition to the fruity odor of oil, heavy, natural notes are felt. This oil has a natural smell. It is by mixing sandalwood oil with it – corresponds to the vicar from Wawel. This severity is almost immediately after the age is discovered.
It's the least common of holy oils. For it is only utilized erstwhile adults are baptized.
It's almost over.
Big Tuesday. Evening. This is the end of the preparations. Almost. On the large Wednesday, the oils will be transported to the Sanctuary of St John Paul II, where they will be expected for Mass by the Holy Cross. Then the Kraków metropolitan, Archbishop Marek Jędraszewski, will finish preparing the crucifix. – The 1 who makes the crucifix is the bishop. It is he who pours oil and mixes it during the liturgy," says Fr Łukasz Jachemiak.
Along with Sister Cecilia, they're ordering an economical area at the Waz Gate. And the odor of crosses and oils spreads through open windows. For the cathedral and its staff, it smells like the large Week and the upcoming Passover Triduum.
