Our Lenten journey will come to a close as we enter into Holy Week next week. While many people are aware of the Triduum that begins with Holy Thursday, we want to highlight the Chrism Mass that will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 26 at 12:00 noon at Saint Mary’s Cathedral Basilica.
The Chrism Mass is held during Holy Week in every Catholic diocese. During this Mass, the priests, deacons and representatives of the entire diocesan community gather around Archbishop Dunn, who blesses the Holy Oils for use in the coming year.
The oils are:
Oil of the Sick
Oil of Catechumens
Sacred Chrism
Whenever the Holy Oils are used in a diocese, the ministry of the Bishop who consecrated them is symbolically present.
The Chrism Mass reminds us of our oneness in Christ through Baptism and its holy anointing, made possible by the ministry of the Bishop and his priests. The Chrism Mass is also a key moment in which the unity of the Bishop with his priests (together, they form the presbyterate) is manifested and renewed. During the liturgy, the entire assembly is called to renew its baptismal promises; deacons and priests also renew their vow of obedience to the local Bishop and their commitment to serve God’s people. At the end of the Chrism Mass, the Holy Oils are brought back to parishes of the diocese for use in the coming year.
