Welcome to the Chrism Mass

Intermountain Catholic

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Deacon Rick Huffman (second from left) presents the Oil of Catechumens to Bishop John Wester accompanied by Steve Sevier (left) and Dawn Sevier, RCIA coordinators at St. Rose of Lima Parish, Layton, at last year's Chrism Mass. IC file photo

SALT LAKE CITY — On Thursday, March 13, at 7:00 p.m., Bishop John C. Wester will celebrate the Mass of Chrism at the Cathedral of the Madeleine, where he will bless the Oil of Catechumens, the Oil of the Sick, and the Oil of Chrism. This is a wonderful opportunity for the faithful to gather with our shepherd and prayerfully support the sacramental celebrations that occur throughout the year in our diocesan parishes and missions.

The bishop is the only person who may consecrate the holy oils. The Chrism Mass helps the faithful focus on the bishop’s role as chief shepherd. We witness to our faith and stand in solidarity with him and his brother priests and deacons. When Bishop Wester blesses the oils, in a symbolic way he will be with us during all of the sacraments throughout the diocese when these oils are used.

At the Easter vigil, the newly baptized catechumens will receive the oil the Bishop has blessed. Whenever infants are baptized by priests or deacons in our parishes, the blessing of the bishop will continue. Our prayers and his blessing from the Chrism Mass will extend to homes and hospital bedsides when the laity gather to pray and priests anoint parishioners with the oil of the sick. At baptism, confirmation and the ordination of priests, the oil of chrism will be used. Whenever an altar is consecrated in a new mission or parish church, the bishop anoints it with the Oil of Chrism.

During the Mass of Chrism, priests and deacons renew their commitment to serve. The lay faithful witness and support their ministry. "I thought I would die of beauty!" was the comment of a friend who attended the Mass for the first time last year. The innate beauty of the ritual and the lovely music help us experience the power and unity of our diocese and the mission of the Catholic Church throughout Utah.