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We support ourselves primarily through financial donations. However, we supplement our donations with additional projects that we believe are of spiritual benefit to others. For example, we have created “Fragrant Blessing Oil.” We suggest this oil be used as described in the book Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers, published by the U.S. Conference of Bishops which encourages the laity to bless one another and suggests blessings for the “persons and special times in the life of your family” (p.xii). These times might be birthdays, anniversaries, or celebrations of special accomplishments. The oil might be used to bless and soothe during periods of stress, or during personal prayer. It might be used to start the day much as we sometimes do with holy water. By using “Fragrant Blessing Oil”, we remind ourselves that we are gift.

The book Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers points out that some blessings should be reserved for the bishops, priests, and deacons. These are the official ecclesial and sacramental blessings which should be administered by the ordained clergy. However, the book goes on to explain that there are other kinds of blessings that do not require the presence of ordained clergy.

However, there are other blessings, like the ones contained in this book, that can be prayed by anyone who has been baptized, “in virtue of the universal priesthood, a dignity they possess because of their baptism and confirmation.”

It is in this spirit that we offer our “Fragrant Blessing Oil” to be used by you for blessings of persons and special times in the life of your family. The late Bishop of Saginaw Ken Untener wrote this explanation of our “Fragrant Blessing Oil” for home and family worship.

“We are a Church of Symbols –water, bread, wine, oil, ashes, colors, ritual gestures. These speak what words cannot say. This oil provides a splendid opportunity to bring one of our traditional religious symbols into our home and nurture the day to day holiness of which saints are made.”