Palestinian Olive Oil used for Holy Oils

Olive harvest - Image: Zaytoun.uk

Source: Pax Christi

In Holy Week our thoughts and prayers are very much on the Holy Land and particularly on the last days of Jesus, as he approached Jerusalem.

In an act of deep symbolism and solidarity a number of Catholic and Anglican Dioceses have again chosen Palestinian Olive Oil as the base for their Holy Oils. These include the Catholic Dioceses of Arundel and Brighton, Birmingham, Liverpool, Nottingham, Southwark and Westminster and the Anglican Dioceses of Coventry, Leicester, Rochester, Sheffield and Southwark.

Each year, during the Chrism Mass, the local bishop blesses new oils for the diocese. The holy oils are then taken to each parish, where they are used for Sacramental anointing throughout the year.

This year we are again deeply shocked and saddened by all we see and hear from our friends and partners living in the Holy Land.

Palestinians are living in vastly increased poverty as unemployment rises to unprecedented levels and freedom of movement is denied throughout the occupied West Bank. As well as Palestinian olive trees being burst, cut down or uprooted throughout the year, gathering the harvest last Autumn proved to be a greater challenge than normal with extreme violence from the Israeli Military and Israeli settlers. Many families were refused access to their lands and their olives were stolen. We received terrible stories were during this time and sadly one woman farmer, Hanan Abu Salameh, was shot by an Israeli soldier while harvesting olives in Faqua, near Jenin.

Never has our solidarity and support for the Holy Land been needed more and this Easter it's good to know that we are linked in such a special way to the Palestinian families who have produced the oil that will be used throughout the year in the Sacraments of the Sick, Baptism and Holy Orders and in the anointing of new bishops.

Canon Rob Esdaile, a priest of Arundel & Brighton Diocese, who has long been active in work for peace and justice, says: "The olive tree has long been a symbol of the heritage of the inhabitants of the Holy Land.

"Psalm 133 uses the vivid image of olive oil running down a man's beard as a symbol of peace in the community and of 'brothers dwelling in unity', while the same oil was used by Samuel to anoint both King Saul and King David.

"It is beyond tragic that Zionist settlers systematically and deliberately destroy Palestinian olive groves, while the annual olive harvest (always a communal effort in Palestinian settlements) in the face of military blockades and the theft of land has become a symbol of resistance and hope. Our liturgical use of Palestinian olive oil is both an act of solidarity and a very physical prayer for the peace of Jerusalem and of the whole Holy Land."

While we take part in the services of Holy Week, we remember that many Palestinians have been refused permits from the Israeli Authorities to enable them to worship in Jerusalem. We are asked to keep them in our prayers as we hope for a Just Peace for all in the Holy Land.

If we have missed your Diocese in the list above, please let us know at info@paxchristi.org.uk and we will make sure you are included.

If you'd like to use Palestinian Olive Oil next year, please let us know and contact: https://zaytoun.uk for details.

Ann Farr, Pax Christi International Working Group for a Just Peace in Palestine and Israel