Chrism Mass - an expression of the ‘unity of the priesthood’
SALT LAKE CITY — Each year at the Chrism Mass, priests from throughout the diocese gather with the bishop at the Cathedral of the Madeleine to renew their priestly promises, resolving to be more united with Jesus and to be faithful stewards of the mysteries of God. The bishop asks the congregation to pray for their priests, that the Lord will pour out his gifts abundantly upon them and keep them faithful as ministers of Christ. He also will ask the people to pray for him, that he will be faithful to his office and be made a more perfect image of the Good Shepherd.
The Chrism Mass traditionally is celebrated in the morning on Holy Thursday; however, it may be moved to an earlier date if it is difficult for the clergy and people to gather on that day. In the Diocese of Salt Lake City, because of the distances many priests must travel, the Chrism Mass usually is celebrated a few days before Palm Sunday. This year, Bishop Oscar A. Solis will preside at the Chrism Mass in the cathedral on March 21.
During the Mass, the bishop will consecrate the holy Chrism and bless the holy oils. The holy Chrism is used “to anoint the newly baptized, to seal the candidates for confirmation, and to anoint the hands of presbyters and the heads of bishops at their ordination, as well as the rites of anointing pertaining to the dedication of churches and altars. The oil of catechumens is used in the preparation of the catechumens for their baptism. The oil of the sick is used to bring comfort and support to the sick in their infirmity,” states the Ceremonial of Bishops.
It adds, “Presbyters are brought together and concelebrate this 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.”
The Intermountain Catholic asked several priests of the diocese what the renewal of their priestly promises means to them. Their answers follow.
Msgr. Colin F. Bircumshaw, Vicar General, Diocese of Salt Lake City
All Christians are anointed twice with Sacred Chrism, the “oil of gladness” – at Baptism and at Confirmation. Priests are anointed a third time with this “oil of gladness” to serve God’s people as priests of his Son. Diocesan priests make two promises, celibacy and obedience, as part of their ordination ceremony before being anointed. These promises are meant to help conform us in a special way to Christ, “the anointed one” (that’s what “Christus” means) who shared the joy of the Holy Spirit that has its source in the love of God the Father. Jesus, the Son, wants his priests to have this joy, the joy that was in him, even during his passion, the joy of his Father’s love and the joy of doing the Father’s will (obedience).
In renewing our promises, we pledge each year, in unity with our bishop who represents Christ, to make our ministry not about ourselves, our agenda and needs, but about serving the people of God from whom we have much to learn, and in conformity with the direction of our bishop. These promises of “obedience and celibacy” have a parallel in the promises Christian couples make in marriage – to make their lives of love not about themselves, but about surrendering service to their spouse and to their children. Priestly service to God’s holy people, these “living stones,” often brings out the best in us priests when we allow it to happen.
Fr. Jose A. Barrera, Pastor, San Felipe Parish, Wendover
The priestly promises that we renew at the Chrism Mass are intrinsic to the relationship of the priest with God. Just as Jesus obediently to his Father surrendered to death, when the priest accepts his priesthood ordination, he surrenders his life to the Church. Saying the priestly promises that we do publicly to the bishop and to the community perfectly echoes when Christ surrenders in the Cross.
To renew is to live again. I can say that after the priestly promises’ renewal we, the priests, feel like we have been recently ordained, and our ministry never gets old; only a person turns gray or we lose our hair, but our ministry never gets old.
Fr. Charles Cummins, Administrator, Weber State Newman Center, Ogden
“I think the priesthood means more to me now,” said Fr. Cummins, who will celebrate the 56th anniversary of his priestly ordination on April 27. As he gets older the renewal of his promises brings mixed emotions for him, “because this year could be the last.” Although he looks forward to life eternal, “it’s human nature to cling to this life,” he said.
Fr. Tristan Dillon, Parochial Vicar, St. George Parish, St. George
I look around at the other priests and see them as my brothers in prayer, celibacy and obedience called to serve here in Utah. We share the same promises and the same mission to bring the Gospel and the sacraments to the People of God here in the Diocese of Salt Lake City. I am always amazed at the quality of the priests around me.
Fr. Anil Kumar Kakumanu, Administrator, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Salt Lake City
I am ever grateful to God for the gift of priesthood. To renew my promises – they remind me to refocus on who I am and what I am. What are the priorities of priesthood? Every day and every prayer begins with the Sign of the Cross. Good Friday is the Friday right before Easter and is a day to remember what Christ did for us on the cross. It’s a time to reflect on the sacrifice that he has made and the great love that God has for us. As we think about all that was done for me and the joy it gives, it becomes easy to pass the love forward with encouraging words to others.
Fr. Edward Leondhas, Administrator, St. Helen Parish, Roosevelt
[To renew the promises] is the relationship with Jesus and to serve his Church, promoted by the love for him. Being present at the Chrism Mass is a great way to witness the unity of the local Church. The Chrism Mass is about who we are as Church, the Body of Christ, and we priests are just one part of that Body.
Fr. Jorge Roldan, Pastor, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Salt Lake City
To renew the priestly promises at the Chrism Mass is to remember the commitment that I made of saying “I do” at my ordination to the questions “Do you want to implore divine mercy on behalf of the people entrusted to you, thus fulfilling the mandate to pray continually?” and “Do you want to unite yourself more closely every day with Christ, who for us gave himself to the Father as a holy victim, and consecrate yourself to God together with him for the salvation of men?” And to renew this promise in front of the bishop and the People of God who journey in our local Church of Salt Lake. This is how to keep fresh our commitment to serve God in his Church.
Fr. Sebastien Sasa, Administrator, Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Salt Lake City
The priestly promises are, for me, to renew my commitment made on the day of my ordination, 27 years ago. These commitments are the service to the bishop, the desire to follow Jesus Christ, to be poor, chaste and obedient and finally, the pursuit of my mission in the Church.
Every year, I must renew them to continue following Jesus Christ, the highest priest, our brother and Redeemer, and to be aware of my priestly identity.
Since the day of my priestly ordination, I have freely accepted to “become a priest, collaborator of the bishops in the priesthood, to serve.” From that day to today and forever, I want to continue to follow Jesus Christ and to “unite myself more closely to Christ, the highest priest.” I was ordained and am a priest of the Catholic Church. I am a member of this Church of Jesus Christ. I continue my Master’s mission with joy, passion and love. This Church is present in Africa, America, Asia, Europe and Oceania. I love her and I give my life with passion for her until my last breath.
I am here in our local Church of Salt Lake City, in communion with our Bishop Oscar A. Solis to serve the People of God in Utah with passion, love and a sense of responsibility.
Father Kenneth Vialpando, Vicar for Clergy, Diocese of Salt Lake City
To me, the renewal of the priestly vows that we make at the Chrism Mass gives all the priests a chance to live out the story of the Apostles: At first, they were ready, willing and able to follow the Lord wherever he went, until he was condemned to death and their own lives were at stake. It wasn’t until he rose from the dead, met them in that Upper Room, breathed on them and empowered them with the Holy Spirit that they went out in full force like a band of brothers to proclaim the Good News. During the Chrism Mass, the bishop breathes over the vessel containing the Chrism, symbolizing the Holy Spirit’s descent upon the oil and upon the hearts and souls of the priests, so that with the Holy Spirit we can catch our second wind and renew our promises to follow Christ by being “faithful stewards of the mysteries of God in the Holy Eucharist.”
Editor’s note: Bishop Oscar A. Solis will celebrate the Chrism Mass on Thursday, March 21, at 6:30 p.m. in the Cathedral of the Madeleine, 309 E. South Temple, Salt Lake City. All the faithful are invited to attend.
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