Biblical scholar to present Scriptural reflection

Friday, Mar. 13, 2015

SALT LAKE CITY — Dianne Bergant, C.S.A., who teaches Old Testament Studies at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, will speak March 25 at the Cathedral of the Madeleine, reflecting on the Scripture readings that will be used at the Chrism Mass.

Sr. Dianne, a past president of the Catholic Biblical Association of America, was for more than 15 years the Old Testament book reviewer of The Bible Today. Currently, she works in the areas of biblical interpretation and biblical theology. She is the author of numerous books and articles.

Originally she was invited to the Diocese of Salt Lake City to speak at the priests’ retreat the day of the Chrism Mass, but she agreed to give a public presentation as well. The title for both talks will be “The spirit of the Lord God is upon me,” taken from Isaiah 61:1.

“I’m going to explain the readings that are used at [the Chrism Mass] liturgy and connect those readings with the practice of anointing that we have,” Sr. Dianne said.

During the Chrism Mass, the bishop blesses three oils – the oil of catechumen, the oil of the infirm and holy chrism; these oils are used during the administration of sacraments throughout the year. 

Sr. Dianne will present much of the same information in each of the talks, but she will have a different focus because some of the laity may not have the theological or Biblical background that the priests receive in the seminary, she said. 

She hopes those who attend her public session gain a deeper appreciation for the rites.

“Knowledge is nice, but it’s got to be more than knowledge,” she said. “Knowledge can be in a certain sense ‘head stuff,’ but it’s got to somehow or another influence [the understanding] of what the priests are doing ministerially, and an appreciation of the religious tradition.”

She also plans to reflect on a point that Pope Francis made in his apostolic exhortation Evangelii Guadium about the importance of preaching Scripture, not just the catechism of the Catholic Church, she said.

“Some people think the catechism should be the center of our religious education, and I don’t want to say it shouldn’t be, but the Scriptures are basic to the catechism; the catechism is not basic to the Scriptures,” she said.

She suggests that those who plan to attend the public session read the readings for the Chrism Mass prior to that evening “so that they have sense of what I’m talking about,” she said.

Those readings are Isaiah 61:1-9, Revelation 1:5-8 and Luke 4:16-21.

Sr. Dianne is a very engaging, insightful and knowledgeable presenter, said Father Martin Diaz, pastor of the Cathedral of the Madeleine, who heard her speak at a conference and invited her to come to Utah.

He asked her give a public presentation as well as the talk to the priests because “I think that people hunger for the Scriptures,” he said. “I think they’re looking to enhance their faith, to grow in their faith.”

The talk will be an opportunity to sit with someone who has spent her entire adult life studying the Scriptures, Fr. Diaz added. “We talk about breaking open the Word – she has spent her life breaking open the Word.” 

WHO: Sister Diane Bergant, C.S.A.

WHAT: Scriptural reflections 

WHEN: March 25, 7 p.m.

WHERE: Cathedral of the Madeleine, 309 E. South Temple, SLC

Free and open to the public.