Description
St John XXIII healing oil
St John XXIII healing oil is dedicated to the Pope that initiated the 2nd Vatican Council in the 1960s.
The man who would be Pope John XXIII was born in the small village of Sotto il Monte in Italy, on November 25, 1881. Roncalli’s career within the Church began in 1904 when he graduated from university with a doctorate in theology. He was ordained a priest thereafter and soon met Pope Pius X in Rome.
Italy was eventually drawn into the war (World war 1). Roncalli was drafted into the Italian Army as a stretcher bearer and chaplain. He did his duty and was eventually discharged from the army in 1919. Free to serve the Church in new capacities he was appointed to be the Italian president of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, handpicked by Pope Benedict XV.
Roncalli becomes Pope
Roncalli’s papal predecessor died on October 9, 1958 and he was soon summoned to Rome where he was to participate in the process of selecting a new pope. The College eventually settled on Roncalli for election and he accepted, saying “I will be called John,” a surprising choice because of that name’s association with schism.
Perhaps his most influential decision was the call for an ecumenical council which would be known as Vatican II. As a result of this council, many practices of the classic Church would be altered with a new emphasis on ecumenism and a new liturgy.
Pope John XXIII addressed several topic of importance to Catholics around the world. He prohibited the use of contraceptives which interfere with the procreative will of God. The Pope upheld the traditional view that married couples may not divorce. Also, he moved to protect the Church from scandal, ordering confidentiality when dealing with matters of clergy accused of the sexual abuse of children.
Pope John XXIII did the best he could although his health was failing. On June 3, 1963, Pope John XXIII died in his bed at age 81.
Tradition of oils
The tradition of anointing with sacred oil is very old indeed. It is used in sacraments and also as a devotional practice. The sick person applies the oil and blesses themselves. As they do so, they are asked to pray to whomever the oil is dedicated to. The Irish blessings oils do not have miraculous power. It is God who has the power to heal. Applying the oil while praying are important ways for us to express our faith in God’s power. Moreover, by doing so we place our trust in God.
Luke 10; 33-34. The Good Samaritan
“But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them”.
