Chrism Mass: A renewal of commitment to faithful service

Intermountain Catholic

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The Very Rev. Martin Diaz

Rector, Cathedral of the Madeleine

SALT LAKE CITY — At the Chrism Mass, celebrated each year in Catholic dioceses, the bishop concludes the renewal of commitment with these words: “By God’s rich mercy, may we continue in faithful service to the Lord, embracing his Cross and giving ever-greater witness to his saving love. Having renewed our commitment to this service let us now call upon the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ, that he may come into our midst as we prepare to bless and consecrate the holy oils.”

Just prior to these words, the priests, the bishop, the deacons and their wives, the women religious and laity will all have renewed their commitment to be faithful servants.

Traditionally, the Chrism Mass is celebrated on Holy Thursday in the morning. However, in rural dioceses like our own, where there are great distances between the cathedral and some parishes, the Chrism Mass may be celebrated prior to Holy Thursday to allow priests to be at their parishes for the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. 

Holy Thursday is seen as the moment when Jesus instituted the sacrament of Holy Orders. Because the blessing of the oils takes place on Holy Thursday, a connection was made to the priests. Thus, the renewal of commitment was placed in the Chrism Mass.

The Second Vatican Council directed bishops to see themselves as brothers with the priests of the diocese, and the priests themselves were directed to see themselves forming a community or fraternity. Overall, it was seen that ministry in each parish and throughout the diocese was the responsibility of the bishop and priests working together as faithful servants. No one was to lord it over another.

Since the council, the renewal of commitment to faithful service has been extended to include the deacons and their wives, the religious women and men, and the laity. Each baptized person – married, single, ordained or vowed – has been given the gift of being a servant. Jesus told his followers he came not to be served, but to serve. (Mt 20:28) In the Chrism Mass, we all make a commitment to be faithful servants.

In the Mass, we will hear that, to continue in faithful service to the Lord, we are to embrace his cross and give ever greater witness to his saving love. What does it mean to embrace his cross? This is not pick up your own cross and follow me (Mt 16:24). To embrace the Cross of Christ is to celebrate well Holy Thursday and Good Friday.

Holy Thursday is the Last Supper in our time and place. We are with Jesus when he says to his disciples, “This is my body and this is my blood.” Not only is he speaking of the bread and wine, but he also is speaking of them as his body and his blood. The song “We are the Body of Christ” comes to mind. To embrace the cross is to move deeply into understanding my very being is changed in my discipleship to Jesus.

Second, the Holy Thursday Mass has the washing of the feet as Jesus did at the Last Supper. His act of humility demonstrates to us that indeed no matter who we are, we are servants.

To embrace his cross is to celebrate on Good Friday. The liturgy of Good Friday is in three parts. First, the Scriptures – that is, the reading or singing of the passion; second, the veneration of the cross; and third, receiving communion from the Mass of Holy Thursday.

This year at the Cathedral of the Madeleine, the veneration of the cross will occur not by kissing or touching the cross, but by bowing. Nonetheless, it is giving thanks to Christ for his death. In seeing Jesus, the redeemer, we understand our need for redemption. No matter who we are, we are sinners.

Servant and sinner are two words that well describe the priest. The priests of the diocese come together the afternoon of the Chrism Mass for a day of prayer and reflection. Included in the day is the opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession). We know better than most the sins of our fellow priests. When we come together, we share about our work. We strive toward a strong community and a strong fraternity. Not individually but as the community of priests of the diocese, we recommit to faithful service to the Lord, his people and the world.