The wiping off of the Holy Chrism at the Baptism...

[Joshua G.]

Does anyone know if there is any particular significance to the wiping off of the Chrism at the Baptism or is that just done out of practicality (so that Holy Chrism isn't just coming off onto whatever mundane surface it later touches)?

A Catholic friend asked me.

Thanks!

Josh

 

[ProScribe]

I think it *might* portray the realistic event of St. Monica wiping the face of Jesus with cloth, so maybe we do that with holy icons.

 

[Joshua G.]

Interesting thought, Proscribe. Anyone else have ideas?

 

[Dorothea]

I have no clue, Joshua. Sorry.

 

[MrJim]

OK I was just rereading a chapter in Facing East where the author records a baptismal/chrismation event. She said she didn't know why either but was told it was done so "the new believer would not put his trust in the magic of the externals but in the Spirit."

Funny, I was just reading this passage a few hours ago.

 

[Ortho_Cat]

I heard somewhere that people would go for long periods of time without washing off the chrism, so the Church decided to start wiping it off after application to prevent this.

 

[Knee V]

I have a hunch that it has no theological significance except for what we give it.