The Chrism Mass

Monday was the Chrism Mass here in our Diocese - a significant event in the life of the Diocese which occurs only once each year.  Normally it is a day when the priests of the Diocese gather with our Bishop to renew our priestly commitments and when the Sacred Oils are blessed.  However, as we all know, we are currently without a bishop - so the Diocese has arranged for an axillary bishop to come from another diocese to celebrate this Sacred Rite with us.  

During the Mass the bishop will bless the oil of catechumens (OC - often marked with a green ribbon), the oil of the sick (OI - often marked with a purple ribbon), and the oil of Chrism (SC - often marked with a gold or white ribbon).  We use the first for adult catechumens and infants, the second for anointing the sick, and the sacred oil of Chrism for baptism, confirmation, the ordination of priests, and the consecration of altars.  All three are basically an olive oil; chrism spices the air with the scent of a perfume, traditionally balsam. 

Historically, bishops have blessed oil since the early church.  They baptized catechumens at the Easter Vigil and prepared Chrism fresh for the occasion.  While they were blessing chrism, they blessed the other oils as well.  Rather than overburdening the Vigil with this ritual, bishops blessed these oils at the previous celebration of the Eucharist, the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday.  This also allowed time to transport vessels of oil from the cathedral to all the churches in the diocese.  For more than one thousand years, bishops blessed the oils at the cathedral Holy Thursday liturgy, but in 1955 we added a separate Mass earlier in the day at the cathedral for that purpose, the Mass of Chrism.  Today many dioceses, including our own, celebrate the Chrism Mass (or Mass of the Oils) a few days before Holy Thursday.  This is to allow sufficiient time for the transportaiton of the oils to the parishes of the diocese - and to give the priests the time they need to gather together for a day of spiritual reflection and renewal as they prepare to rededicate themselves to their priestly ministry. 

Since a bishop is the only minister who may consecrate chrism, this Mass highlights his ministry and the unity that exists between him, his priests and the people of the diocese.  At the Easter Vigil, the bishop will symbolically be present in every parish through the Sacred Oil which is used.  

This Mass is also a significant moment in the lives of us priests.  As I mentioned, it is a day when we gather for an entire day of spiritual renewal and prayer.  We also have the opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance before Easter.  This moment always has a significant meaning for me, as a priest - but this year it holds special significance since we are in the midst of this Year for Priests.  Following the homily, which is usually directed to us priests, we will recall the promises we made on the day of our ordination and renew our dedication to be men of prayer, service and celibate chastity.  We certainly are aware of our unworthiness to exercise the priestly ministry, yet we are reminded to rely on the help of the Lord - and the prayers of the faithful - to sustain us in our priestly ministry and commitment to be configured to Christ, the Eternal High priest.  

It is a great source of blessing and encouragement for us that so many of the faithful also attend this liturgy and show their love and support for us, their priests.  Your prayers, the prayers of all the faithful, are so important for us. 

The Ceremonial of Bishops beautifully describes the Chrism Mass: “This Mass, which the bishop concelebrates with his college of presbyters and at which he consecrates the holy chrism and blesses the other oils, manifests the communion of the presbyters with their bishop. … Presbyters are brought together and concelebrate the Mass as witnesses and cooperators with their bishop in the consecration of the chrism because they share in the sacred office of the bishop in building up, sanctifying and ruling the people of God. This Mass is therefore a clear expression of the unity of the priesthood and sacrifice of Christ, which continue to be present in the Church” (no. 274).