Chrism Mass celebrates unity of local Church
SALT LAKE CITY — This year’s Chrism Mass drew a standing-room-only congregation as the Cathedral of the Madeleine welcomed diocesan priests, deacons and their wives, the religious men and women who minister in Utah, along with members of the laity from throughout the diocese.
“We gather together – the clergy, religious men and women and the laity of the Diocese of Salt Lake City – to manifest our unity and communion in Christ,” said Bishop Oscar A. Solis as he welcomed those present at the Mass on March 30.
Traditionally, the Chrism Mass is celebrated on Holy Thursday, but in the Diocese of Salt Lake City as in others, because of the distances some priests have to travel to participate, the Chrism Mass is celebrated the week before Holy Week. This allows local priests to celebrate the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at their parish.
During the Chrism Mass, the bishop consecrates the sacred Chrism and blesses the oil of catechumens and the oil of the sick, which are used in the sacraments “to build up, heal and strengthen the Body of Christ,” Bishop Solis said.
Anointing is the mark of the identity of the missionary disciples of Christ, the bishop said during his homily.
“The prophet Isaiah, in the first reading, articulated God’s dream: we are anointed as priests and sent to bring the good news of God’s love, healing, comfort, joy and freedom to the world,” he said. “The Book of Revelation reminds us that Christ has made us into a kingdom of priests for God and his glory. In the Gospel, Jesus fulfilled God’s promise of salvation as the high priest in his ministry of love, compassion and service.”
Referring to the fact that priests are ordinary men, the bishop underlined that they are anointed with the Sacred Chrism for the love of God and the service of his people.
“Priesthood is a grace from God and a sacred privilege,” he said.
“Our identity is not defined by the white collar around our neck nor the cassock we wear but our ministry as priest, prophet and servant as we manifest the name of Christ. We are on a constant mission of love and obedience, always in deference to the needs of our Church more than our own,” the bishop said.
With 44 years as a priest, he understands the trials and difficulties that priests experience, and “for this reason, I thank each and every one of you for your fidelity and dedication, as well as your obedience and collaboration in accepting your assignments wherever you are called and sent,” he said to his brother priests who were concelebrating the Mass.
During the celebration the diocesan priests renewed the vows of their ordination as a sign of unity with the bishop and with the Universal Church.
Afterward, the bishop asked the baptized to renew their promises to help build the Kingdom of God.
“All of us are called to renew the Spirit of God in us for our sanctification that we may be Christ-like – messengers of the joy of the Gospel,” he said.
“Let us pray that the grace of God helps us to remain faithful to our sacred vocation as ministers of unity in a polarized society, of healing amid suffering, and instruments of peace in a world beset by war, violence and senseless killings,” he added.
In his final remarks, Bishop Solis thanked everyone and asked that “through the intercession of our Blessed Mother, Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Mary Magdalene, may the promise of God’s favor be fulfilled in our life and in the world.”
Among those present at the Chrism Mass was Federico Galvan of Sacred Heart Parish in Salt Lake City, who said he has attended the event for many years, and that this year’s had particular meaning.
“I was impressed to see all of us together as one Church, and to see many of our priests that I have not seen in a long time makes me very happy,” he said, adding that attending the Chrism Mass made him feel ready to start Holy Week with gratitude and joy.
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