Chrism Mass

This past Thursday, we gathered with a full Cathedral of faithful to join our Bishop and priests for the annual Chrism Mass. 

The power having unexpectedly failed right before Mass, the Cathedral interior was infused by the colors of the recently restored stained glass windows. The "different" light created by stained glass calls to mind the reality that we are in a "different" space, a sacred space.  

The Chrism Mass, traditionally celebrated the morning of Holy Thursday but ordinarily anticipated for pastoral reasons, contains two beautiful ceremonies: the renewal of priestly promises and the blessing of the Holy Oils.

After the homily, the Bishop asks the clergy present: "Beloved sons, on the anniversary of that day when Christ our Lord conferred his priesthood on his Apostles and on us, are you resolved to renew in the presence of your Bishop and God’s holy people, the promises you once made?" Later, he asks the faithful to do their part, "As for you, dearest sons and daughters, pray for your Priests, that the Lord may pour out his gifts abundantly upon them, and keep them faithful as ministers of Christ, the High Priest, so that they may lead you to him, who is the source of salvation."

As for you, dearest sons and daughters, pray for your Priests,
that the Lord may pour out his gifts abundantly upon them, and keep them faithful as ministers of Christ, the High Priest, so that they may lead you to him, who is the source of salvation.

The Order for the Blessing of the Holy Oils describes the importance of the oils and their intimate link with the priests and Bishop: ​

"The Chrism Mass, which [the Bishop] concelebrates with Priests from various regions of the diocese and during which he consecrates the sacred Chrism and blesses the other oils, is among the principal manifestations of the fullness of the Bishop's Priesthood and is considered to be a sign of the close bond of the Priests with him. For it is with the sacred Chrism consecrated by the Bishop that the newly baptized are anointed and those to be confirmed are signed. It is with the Oil of Catechumens that catechumens are prepared and disposed for Baptism. Finally it is with the Oil of the Sick that those who are ill are comforted in their infirmity."

Chrism Mass Slideshow