Bapt. et Confirm, etc.)[61] St. Basil in the
4th century attributes the origin of the custom of blessing the oils
to tradition. "We bless the water of baptism and the _oil of unction_,
as well as the person who receives baptism. By what scriptures? Is
it not from silent and secret tradition?" (De Spir. S. c. 27). It is
mentioned also in the second and third councils of Carthage, by S.
Cyprian, who says "The eucharist, and the oil, with which the baptised
are anointed, are sanctified at the altar". Ep. 70.
It would appear however from the 20th canon of the first council of
Toledo that anciently chrism could be blessed _at any time_; and hence
Benedict XIV is of opinion, that the custom of blessing it only on
holy Thursday began about the seventh century; for it is mentioned in
the Sacramentary of S. Gregory, in the old Ordo Romanus, and in other
works written after that period. This day has been with reason chosen
for this ceremony, as St. Thomas observes, in order that the chrism
may be prepared for the solemn baptism administered on Easter Eve;
and because on it the Eucharistic sacrament, for which the other
sacraments are as it were preparatory, was instituted. S. Isidore
however assigns a different reason, viz. that two days before the
pasch Mary _anointed_ the head and feet of the Lord". De Divi Off.
lib. 2, c. 28.
[Sidenote: Meaning of the ceremonies already described.
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