Sacramental oils blessed at Chrism Mass

By Tanya Connor | The Catholic Free Press

The Chrism Mass was different this year.
People could attend! On Tuesday many priests, and some deacons, religious and laity, practically filled sections of St. Paul Cathedral – still socially distanced, of course.
And Bishop McManus reminded them that the COVID-19 pandemic that kept them out of church last year, and sitting apart this year, highlighted the importance of being anointed with oil he was about to bless.
At this annual Mass during Holy Week the bishop blesses or consecrates oils to be used for sacraments throughout the diocese in the coming year.
Usually the oil of the sick, the oil of catechumens and the holy chrism are carried forward to the bishop in a grand procession, with several people participating, but this year the ritual was simplified. And clergy, rather than laity, were to pick up oils for their parishes at the front of the church after Mass.
Still part of the Chrism Mass this year as in the past, was the recognition of priests celebrating significant jubilees, and the renewal of commitment to priestly service.
This year Bishop McManus greeted not only those present, but those watching the Mass remotely.
In his homily he said it is sad to remember that the cathedral was empty last year because of the pandemic, and priests, who usually attend in great numbers, were sadly absent.
But, he said, “We still celebrated the Chrism Mass … as a poignant reminder that even in times of sickness and death caused by this insidious virus, Christ does not abandon the Church.” He conquers all moral and physical evil. Even with the pandemic still present, he reminds us, “Do not be afraid … for I have overcome the world.”
Jesus is living among us through the celebration of the sacraments, the bishop said.
For months, during the height of the pandemic, Catholics throughout the world had to refrain from attending Mass and receiving the Eucharist, he recalled. He said he prays that now they have a deeper awareness of the importance of physical attendance at Mass in their parishes, standing shoulder to shoulder with brothers and sisters in the faith.
Bishop McManus also talked about the oil of the sick in light of the pandemic. During this long year, he asked, how many Catholics became seriously ill with the virus and longed for a priest to anoint them? He said they longed for this because they are people of faith, and they wanted the grace of Christ, the divine physician, and the consolation of the Holy Spirit.
The bishop implored the priests to remember daily how important the sacrament of the anointing of the sick is in the pastoral life of the church, and to celebrate it with the fervor they had when they administered it for the first time as young priests.
He expressed hope that, as more people are vaccinated and we begin to emerge from the long social isolation, economic loss and anxiety, we will echo with renewed faith and sincere thanksgiving the words of the responsorial psalm: “For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.”

PHOTO ALBUM