Hello everyone! Heyo! Welcome back to Scattering Flowers with Elise and Miles, a podcast where we read the daily Gospels and the Saint of the Day.
Let’s get started! Today is Friday, June 26th, and for the summer weeks we are going to do the ABCs of our Catholic faith and saints.
Today is the letter O for oils, and the scripture to reflect on is Luke 4, 18.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.
The Catholic Church uses three holy oils in its sacraments and sacred rituals.
Holy Charism is a consecrated mixture of olive oil and balsam.
It’s used in baptism, confirmation, holy orders for priests and bishops, and the consecration of churches and altars.
Oil of the catechumens, pure olive oil, used to strengthen and protect those preparing for baptism, and oil of the sick, pure olive oil used in the anointing of the sick, bringing spiritual and physical healing and comfort.
Each year, the bishop blesses these three oils at a chrism mass.
Today’s Saint of the Day is O.
St.
Olaf.
He was born 1015 to 1028.
He is the patron saint of Norway.
Olaf was a pagan Viking warrior at the age of 18.
He traveled to France, where he converted to Christianity and was baptized.
Upon his return to Norway, he conquered territories held by other tribes, and in a short time became king of all of Norway.
As king, Olaf brought missionary priests and monks from England to spread faith among his people.
He had pagan temples and altars destroyed, and shrines with churches erected into their prelacies.
He outlawed pagan practices in 1084 and established a Christian religious code that is now considered Norway’s first national law.
Have you ever wondered why the oil smells so sweet?
The perfume is added so that when we are anointed, we remember that we belong to Christ, that we are a child of God, and that we have Holy Spirit as our helper.
The word anoint means to rub or pour oil onto someone.
When we are anointed by God, that means that we belong to him and we can go out into the world to share the gospel.
In 1028, Olaf was forced to flee his country by his enemies.
He attempted to regain his throne but was killed on the battlefield.
Almost immediately after his death, miracles were reported.
And in connection with his tomb and intercession, Olaf remains to this day a symbol of Christianity and Norwegian national pride.
Let’s pray.
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Dear God, thank you for all the promises you’ve given to us.
We love you.
And help us to always stand for what’s right for you.
St.
Olaf, pray for us.
Amen.
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Thank you so much for listening.
We’ll be back next week, scattering more flowers.
See ya!