My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Some ancient traditions hold that the “tree of life” in the Garden of Eden was an olive tree. Mentioned over and over in the Bible, the oil flowing from olive trees often seems to represent God’s favor, peace, mercy, power, or healing and bestowal of authority.

In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus sent his apostles out to preach repentance. The Lord endowed them with power over unclean spirits. “They drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.” (Mark 6:13)

Today, many Christians continue to use blessed oil on themselves and others as a symbol of God’s empowering, strengthening, and healing power. Blessed oil is a Church-approved sacramental.

Simply put, sacramentals are prayer aids –– holy objects or ritual acts used by the faithful to outwardly express their devotion and to be open to God’s grace. A rosary is a sacramental. Making the Sign of the Cross is a sacramental. Holy water is a sacramental.

Blessed oil is one of the many sacramentals available for a suggested offering from the Association of the Miraculous Medal. You may request a half-ounce bottle for $19. Your offering covers more than the cost of the item to help AMM continue its ministry –– bringing God’s love and healing to the world through Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.

May the use of blessed oil bring you or someone you know closer to Our Lord.

I’d like to share a member’s story. Carol shared how she used the blessed oil to anoint her husband, who was in a memory care unit.

     “Jerry was in a dementia unit for a while, and many times I used the blessed oil to anoint him. I prayed for him to have a peaceful death, and I feel like he did, thanks to the many prayers.”

Even though Carol used the blessed oil to anoint her husband, sacramentals and prayer are not substitutes for taking prescribed medicine, for seeking medical attention, or for receiving the Sacrament of the Sick by a priest during serious illness. Sacramentals are used as a sign of faith in God’s power to intervene in our lives. We can surrender in peace to the manner in which he chooses to answer our prayers.

I would also like to pray for Mary’s intercession for you and any loved ones in your life who are in need of restored physical, mental, or spiritual health. I invite you to send me these names of those you would like me to pray for.

These loved ones will be remembered in the daily Mass and prayers here at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. You may also request to burn Votive Lights to burn for your needs and those of your loved ones. 

May God continue to bless all our efforts to serve him and draw us ever closer to himself.  O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.

P.S. Sacramentals like the blessed oil, when used in conjunction with prayer, can open hearts to receive the blessings God desires to bestow upon you and those you love.