By Gerard Hall | For On Mission
The chrism Mass is celebrated annually in every diocese and is one of the most solemn and important liturgies of the liturgical year. This Mass shows forth the unity of the diocese and the many ministries serving the bishop and the Eucharist.
During this Mass, the bishop blesses the Oil of the Catechumens and the Oil of the Sick, and he consecrates the sacred chrism.
The Oil of the Sick is used for anointing the sick. It is through the anointing with this oil that the sick receive a remedy for infirmity of body and soul, so that they can bravely endure and fight against evil and obtain pardon for sins.
The Oil of the Catechumen is used for those who are preparing to receive the Easter Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. It strengthens the candidate with the power to renounce the devil and sin before they go to the font of life for rebirth.
The sacred chrism is used in the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Orders, or the ordination of priests. It is also used in the dedication of churches and the dedication of altars.
In the early Church, the sacred chrism was blessed at the Easter Vigil, right before the bishop baptized the catechumens. While the bishop was consecrating the chrism, he blessed the other holy oils as well. Eventually, bishops began blessing the holy oils on Holy Thursday. This also allowed time to transport the holy oils from the cathedral to all the churches in the diocese in time for the Easter Vigil.
For more than 1,000 years, the custom of the bishop blessing the holy oils at the cathedral at the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday remained. In 1955, the Church moved the chrism Mass to the cathedral earlier in the day for the blessing of the holy oils. Today, the chrism Mass may be celebrated on a day before Holy Thursday, on Holy Thursday or close to Holy Thursday, usually during Holy Week, so that the priests of the diocese, as well as more of the faithful, may attend. In the Diocese of Green Bay, the chrism Mass is celebrated on the Tuesday of Holy Week.
Because the bishop is the only one who consecrates the sacred chrism, the chrism Mass also highlights his ministry and the relationship of the faithful in union with him. Although he will not baptize and confirm all of those being initiated, nor anoint all of the sick, he will be symbolically present in the holy oils and the sacred chrism, which will be used throughout the diocese in the administration of the Sacraments.
The chrism Mass also celebrates the ministry of priests. They are invited to renew their commitment of service and are given the prayers and support of the people of the diocese, represented in the faithful who have gathered for the Mass.
It is appropriate that the holy oils blessed at the chrism Mass be received by the parish community, usually at the Evening Mass of Thursday of the Lord’s Supper.
Gerard Hall is the director of divine worship for the Diocese of Green Bay.