The faithful gather for the annual Chrism Mass

Intermountain Catholic

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Newly confirmed Heather Fisher (left) and Jonathan Byrne from St. Olaf Parish, accompany Deacon John Kranz to present the Oil for the Chrism to Bishop John Wester (right). Bishop Wester pours balsam into the Chrism giving it a special fragrance. The Chrism, consecrated by the bishop, is used to anoint the newly baptized, to seal candidates for Confirmation, to anoint the hands of priests and the heads of bishops during their ordination, and in the rite of dedication for churches and altars. IC photos by Christine Young

SALT LAKE CITY — "I am particularly pleased to be able to join with you at this Chrism Mass, with my brother priests and deacons, men and women religious, and the faithful," said Bishop John Wester of the Diocese of Salt Lake City. "It is a special gift for me to have been installed so close to this Chrism Mass."

Bishop Wester concelebrated his first Chrism Mass with the priests of the diocese March 29 in the Cathedral of the Madeleine. The faithful from parishes throughout the diocese gathered for the Chrism Mass celebrated annually by the bishop prior to the Sacred Triduum of Holy Week.

In his homily, Bishop Wester said he realized after flying into Utah, that airports are very much a metaphor for life. He said the leave-taking and the uniting are part of the pattern of living, the journey of life.

"We have this gift of impulse to want to be united with our loved ones, our friends, and our community," said Bishop Wester. "At the same time, which is also a part of life, we say ‘goodbye,’ we let go, surrender, and move into a new chapter in our lives.

"Deep within us, I think, all of us have that fear of abandonment, and that is certainly what Jesus experienced in the garden before his crucifixion," the bishop said. "We know, as we gather here tonight as church, that we have been formed by love – the love of Jesus Christ. Jesus, risen from the dead, is an antidote to this fear of abandonment and loneliness. Tonight we see the effects of Christ’s love as we gather around this altar and this Word, to celebrate the Eucharist and to bless the oils that will flow through our community life for the year to come.

"The readings celebrate that God’s Word is a word of unity," said Bishop Wester. "The Word became one of us in Jesus, that we might hear this Word that gathers us together and that breaks down the barriers that divide us. What is significant is that the Word is transformed action. Jesus performed actions that unite us – preacher, teacher, healer – all that Jesus did in action was to put the Word into practice and make it real in our lives. Jesus gives us hope, particularly tonight as we celebrate the oils, the anointings, that are the action of the Word in our midst."

Bishop Wester said the Oil of the Catechumens initiates people into our community. The Oil of the Sick massages human unction into the pores of those who are ill and who are opening themselves to the healing of Christ. We use the Holy Chrism, at baptism, confirmation, and holy orders, which bespeaks our dignity as Christians."

"The oils blessed and consecrated connect the Word into action in our lives," said Bishop Wester. "The oils seep into our being and help us live each moment as Christ would have us live it, fully, completely and with gratitude. We are called to be an anointed people who welcome the stranger, to be instruments of healing, or instruments of life and salvation."

The bishop, priests, deacons, religious, and laity renewed their commitment to Jesus Christ and to their state of life.