Catholics And Nard: Fragrance Wear Or Not?

The Catholic Church does not have any official instructions on wearing perfume during services. However, some people are allergic to different scents, so it is recommended that individuals avoid wearing strong perfumes to church. The Second Council of Nicea of 787 decreed that all indulgence and adornment bestowed on the body is alien to the priestly order, which includes the use of perfumes by bishops and clerics. Despite this, there are perfumes on the market inspired by Catholic traditions, such as the fragrance Nard, which is mentioned in the Bible and was used by Mary Magdalene to anoint the feet of Jesus.

The Catholic Church's position on wearing perfume during services

The Catholic Church does not have an official position or instructions on wearing perfume during services. However, according to the canons of the Second Council of Nicea (AD 787), "all indulgence and adornment bestowed on the body is alien to the priestly order." This includes bishops and clerics wearing perfumes or decking themselves out in "brilliant and showy clothes."

The Catholic Church recognises that some people are sensitive or allergic to different scents and encourages individuals to be considerate when wearing perfumes or fragrances to church services. The act of wearing perfume can be seen as self-centred and contrary to the purpose of worshipping God. Additionally, the choice of fragrance can be significant, as certain scents like lavender, which was used to anoint Jesus' feet, hold symbolic value in the Christian tradition.

While there is no official prohibition, it is recommended that individuals refrain from wearing strong perfumes or scents during services out of respect for others' allergies and to avoid detracting from the spiritual nature of the gathering.

The Second Council of Nicea's stance on priests wearing perfume

The Second Council of Nicaea, also known as the Second Council of Nicea, was held in 787 AD. It was convened by Empress Irene, who was acting as regent for her son, Emperor Constantine VI, and was attended by 318 bishops. The council addressed the issue of iconoclasm, the belief that the use of religious images and icons was heretical. The council ultimately decreed that the use of icons and images was acceptable, as long as they were not worshipped as idols.

The council's stance on priests wearing perfume can be found in its sixteenth canon, which states:

> All indulgence and adornment bestowed on the body is alien to the priestly order. Therefore all those bishops and clerics who deck themselves out in brilliant and showy clothes should be called to order, and if they persist let them be punished. The same holds for those who use perfumes.

The council also decreed that bishops should not be appointed by rulers and that they should not be ordained for money.

The story of Mary anointing Jesus' feet with nard

In the Gospel of John, the woman is identified as Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. In Matthew and Mark, she is unnamed, referred to only as "a woman." In Luke, the woman is unnamed and described as a "sinful woman."

Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume worth about a year's wages, and poured it on Jesus' feet, wiping them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. This act of anointing with perfume was an exceptional gesture, frequently mentioned in other literature from that time.

The story highlights Mary's devotion and worship of Jesus, as she gave him the best she had to offer. It also showcases the wickedness of Judas and the religious leaders, who objected to the use of expensive perfume, arguing that it could have been sold and the money given to the poor. However, Jesus rebuked them, saying that Mary had done a beautiful thing and that she was preparing him for his burial.

The different types of nard

Nard, also known as spikenard, nardin, and muskroot, is a class of aromatic amber-colored essential oil derived from the flowering plant Nardostachys jatamansi, which is part of the honeysuckle family. This plant grows in the Himalayas of Nepal, China, and India, and can grow to about one meter in height. Its rhizomes can be crushed and distilled to create an intensely aromatic essential oil with a thick consistency.

Nard has been used for centuries in various ways, including as a perfume, a traditional medicine, and in religious ceremonies across a wide territory from India to Europe. The different types of nard are determined by the species of plants from which the essential oils are derived. Here are some of the different types:

• Indian Nard: This type of nard, also known as "nardus Indica" or "spica nardi," is derived from the plant Nardostachys jatamansi and is native to the Himalayas of Nepal, China, and India. It is the most common and well-known type of nard, known for its use in ancient times as a perfume and in religious ceremonies.
• False Nard: This type of nard is derived from the plant Lavandula stoechas and was used to adulterate true nard. It is also known as "pseudo-nard" and is native to the Eastern Mediterranean.
• Syrian Nard: This variety is derived from the plant Cymbopogon nardus.
• Gallic Nard: This type of nard is derived from the plant Valeriana celtica and is native to Europe.
• Cretan Nard: Also known as "agrion" or "phun," this variety is derived from the plant Valeriana italica (syn. V. dioscoridis, V. tuberosa) and is native to Crete.
• Wild Nard: This type of nard is derived from the plant Asarum europaeum and is also known as "asaron."

These different types of nard have been used throughout history, with some varieties being more common and others being more expensive and sought-after. The use of nard, especially Indian nard, is also significant in religious texts such as the Bible and the Mishnah.

The significance of Mary using nard to anoint Jesus' feet

Mary's use of nard to anoint Jesus' feet holds several layers of significance. Firstly, it symbolises her devotion, gratitude, and love for Jesus. The act of anointing with oil was traditionally associated with marking the special vocation and identity of authoritative figures, including holy persons. By anointing Jesus' feet, Mary was recognising and honouring his status as the Messiah or "the anointed one".

Secondly, Mary's action can be interpreted as a foreshadowing of Jesus' impending death and burial. Nard was often used as part of funeral preparations to mask the scent of decay. Mary's gesture, therefore, takes on a prophetic dimension, acknowledging Jesus' upcoming sacrifice and the salvation it would bring to the world.

Additionally, the use of her hair to wipe Jesus' feet was a shocking display of abasement and vulnerability in that cultural context. It symbolised Mary offering all that she was and had to honour Jesus. The sensory and symbolic nature of the act, along with the costly perfume filling the house with its fragrance, created a lasting memory for those present, including the disciples, who would later reflect on the deeper meanings of Mary's gesture.

Finally, Mary's act underscores the importance of sincere worship and devotion to God, even as it does not negate the duty of caring for the poor. The extravagance of her sacrifice, offering something so valuable, highlights that no gift or act of devotion can truly equal the infinite worth of Christ.

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