I Read more…. Once again this year this event needed to be a virtual gathering rather than in person. As the banner above indicates, the theme Read more…. Categories: Uncategorized. It is, of course, the Chrism Mass at which the holy oils to be used in every parish are consecrated, blessed and distributed. It is also the occasion at which the priests of the diocese concelebrate Mass with the bishops to manifest the unity of the presbyterate the priests with the episcopate the bishops.
During the celebration all of us renew our priestly vows. The Chrism Mass is an important and unique example of church with priests and people gathered for a significant event in the life of the local diocese. The renewal of priestly vows and the blessing and dissemination of the holy oils are necessary and life-affirming actions in carrying out the day-to-day ministry in every one of our churches.
That is why I especially look forward to this part of the liturgy every year. Affirm young Catholics and the elect in their faith. Many parishes send their confirmation candidates to the chrism Mass. It is a joy to see so many young people there, often wearing their best clothes and perhaps participating in this Eucharist for the first time.
For here, Bishop Kettler consecrates the chrism that will be used to sign their foreheads at their confirmation and seal them with the Holy Spirit. These young Catholics have one foot in the Church of today and one foot in the Church of tomorrow. It is good for us older folks to pray with them and for them in this celebration of praise and blessing, and it is good for them to see us doing so. And their presence and participation in this Mass are a powerful witness for each other.
Some of the elect, those who are preparing for Christian initiation at Easter, and candidates for reception into the full communion of the Catholic Church will be present at this Mass but will be dismissed with the prayer of the assembly for a special catechesis.
We look forward to the day when all of them can join us in sharing holy Communion. The chrism Mass expresses most clearly the unity of faith that binds together the bishop, clergy and people of our diocese.
We are visibly and tangibly united in the holy oils that we all share in the sacraments and in the mission of the Church, a mission to make all things one in Christ.
The chrism Mass highlights the many ministries by ordained and non-ordained persons who work to create that unity. The Apostolic Tradition of St. Hippolytus recorded one of the earliest formulas for blessing the oil of the infirm.
Also, in the early Church, a priest or several priests would bless this oil at the time it was to be used, a tradition that has been retained in the Eastern Churches. However, in the Latin Rite, at least since the time of the Middles Ages, priests have used oil blessed by the bishop; for instance, St. Boniface in ordered all priests in Germany to use the oil of the infirm blessed by bishops only. Finally, holy chrism is a mixture of olive oil and balsam, an aromatic resin.
This oil is linked with the sanctification of individuals. In the Old Testament times, the priest, prophets and kings of the Jewish people were anointed.
This oil is used in the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and holy orders, since they impart an indelible sacramental character. The blessing of the holy chrism is different from that of the other oils: Here the bishop breathes over the vessel of chrism, a gesture which symbolizes both the Holy Spirit coming down to consecrate this oil, and the life-giving, sanctifying nature of the sacraments for which it is used.
Regarding baptism, St. He now anoints with the chrism of salvation. As Christ was anointed Priest, Prophet and King, so may you live always as a member of His body, sharing everlasting life. Sacred chrism is also used in the sacrament of holy orders. In the ordination rite of a priest, the bishop anoints with chrism the palms of each new priest. In the ordination rite of a bishop, the consecrating bishop anoints the head of the new bishop.
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