The Oil of Unction is an apostolical tradition, originating
from the oil consecrated by the Apostles themselves, and
which by succession has been handed down in the Church
of God to this day. The purpose of its use we learn from
its own physical properties, and from the sacred Scriptures.
The Divine book (Bible) instructs us that, according to
the Law, such as were set apart for the symbolical priesthood,
or for earthly sovereignty, were anointed with the oil
of unction. And in like manner with us: such as are set
apart for the kingdom of heaven and for the true priesthood,
must be anointed with this same manifoldly symbolical unction;
in order that they may be truly anointed ones and brethren
of Christ, who by oneness and His union with God is truly
and supernaturally anointed. “Therefore hath the
Lord Thy God anointed[31] Thee with the oil of gladness
above Thy fellows.” He is the Anointer and the Anointed:
the Anointer by His Godhead, and the Anointed by his humanity.
As to the natural properties of oil, we know that the
most eminent artists, after having completed a picture
with all its rich colouring, anoint it with oil, in order
that it may not easily be injured, or receive damage when
brought into contact with other objects. In like manner,
those who are drawn after the likeness of the Heavenly
King are for the same reason anointed, lest they should
receive damage from the chances of the world and from the
opposition of the devil.
The matter of the Oil of Unction is pure olive oil. The
form the apostolical benediction.
