Catholic Activity: St. Joseph's Oil
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The tradition of anointing with sacred oil is very old indeed. It is used in sacraments and also, in some places, as a devotional practice. Brother André used to invite some of the sick people who came to him to apply oil on the part of their body they wanted healed but, as they did so, he always told people to pray to Saint Joseph. He always insisted on the fact that the oil itself did not have any miraculous power. He would remind people that it is God who has the power to heal. He underlined the fact that prayer and a gesture of faith, like applying oil, are important ways for us to express our faith in God's power.
As it has been done since Brother André's time, the oil is placed in front of the statue of Saint-Joseph and burns for sometime before it is bottled and offered to pilgrims. The Oratory invites people to use this oil as a symbol of faith and, at the same time, to pray for the grace they solicit. There is no special prayer to be used. Each one can pray in his own way or use a prayer he or she likes.
The Fr. Claude Grou, c.s.c of the Oratory says that they receive many letters from people who say that they have been cured after using the oil and praying to Brother André and Saint Joseph.
The oil may be obtained from the Oratory:
Saint-Joseph's Oratory 3800, Chemin Queen Mary Montreal (Quebec) Canada H3V 1H6Telephone: (514) 733-8211 Free phone number: 1-877-672-8647 Fax: (514) 733-9735
For informations or any other questions fatherweb@saint-joseph.org
