Chrism Mass is Monday, March 30

All are invited to attend next week’s Chrism Mass. The annual liturgy will take place Monday, March 30 at Saint Augustine Cathedral in downtown Tucson at 2 p.m. Priests from throughout the diocese will join Bishop James Misko on the altar as he blesses the holy oils used throughout the year.  
 
Two significant and related things happen at the Chrism Mass. The first is the Renewal of Priestly Promises and the second is the Consecration of Chrism and the Blessing of the Oils of the Sick and Catechumens.   
 
These holy oils are used by our priests in their ministry to God’s people throughout the year.  Since the reforms of the Liturgy from the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), the renewal of priestly promises was added to this Mass which is usually celebrated on the morning of Holy Thursday.  In most dioceses, the Mass is celebrated at a time when people from the parishes can attend.  Our Mass has been celebrated on Monday of Holy Week for several years so that the priests, deacons, and faithful can be present.  
  
When the priests renew their promises, we are reminded that they renew their commitment before the bishop and the people gathered to be united to Jesus, to be faithful stewards of the mysteries of God (the sacraments), and to not seek any gain but to be moved “only by zeal for souls.”  The bishop, after asking the lay faithful to pray for their priests, asks them to pray for him as well that he may “be faithful to the apostolic office” entrusted to him.  
 
The Chrism Mass takes its name from the Chrism, the perfumed oil, that will be consecrated during the Mass.  The Chrism and the Holy Oils are used at significant moments in the life of the Church:  Baptisms, Confirmations, Ordinations of Priests and Bishops, Consecrations of new churches and Altars, and in the Anointing of the Sick.  
 
As we celebrate this Mass we are reminded of the important ministry of our priests and bishops, and we pray that God will bless our diocese with vocations to the priesthood.