1.Introduction:
The Chrism Mass is a Mass where the Bishop of a diocese gathers with his priests to bless three types of holy oils, for renewal of priestly vows and celebration of the Eucharistic. It is a significant liturgical celebration in the Catholic Church that takes place on Holy Thursday morning. The Significance of the Chrism Mass highlights the importance of the sacraments and the role of priests in administering them. It’s also a celebration of the unity and communion among priests and their bishop.
2.The Chrism Oil:
The Olive tree is the most common tree in Palestine, and it grows abundantly in Galilee. The Sacred use of Olive oil is found in the Old Testament: Jacob anointed pillar at Bethel (Genesis 28:10-22); Aaron and sons anointed as priests (Exodus 30:22-31), Kings anointed with oil: Saul, David, Solomon (I Samuel 16:12,13. The Purpose of Anointing was to dedicate person or object as sacred in God’s service
3. Jesus, the “Anointed One”:
The Hebrew word “messiah” and Greek word “Christos” mean “the anointed one”. Jesus attributed Isaiah’s words to Himself, stating He was anointed by the Spirit of the Lord (Luke 4:18). St. Peter confessed Jesus as the Messiah or Christos (Matthew 16:16). The Catholic Church teaches that Jesus Christ was anointed by the Father with the Holy Spirit and established as priest, prophet, and king (CCC 783). The whole People of God participate in these three offices of Christ and bears responsibilities for mission and service.
4.The Chrism Mass:
The Mass of Chrism liturgy focuses on three aspects of our Roman Catholic tradition:
- The blessing of the oils used for the respective sacraments as signs of healing, unity, anointing, and mission.
- The offices of Christ that each baptized person shares in (i.e. priest, prophet, and king) and the mission and service that flow from them.
- The specific offices of Christ that bishops and priests have conferred on them in ordination (i.e. to teach, to sanctify, and to govern).
Because bishops are direct successors to the apostles and the mission left them by our Lord, the bishops of the world, they share in the fullness of Christ’s priesthood. Through ordination, priests, in turn, are given a share in the fullness of their local bishop’s priesthood. Hence, at the Chrism Mass each year, the priests, with their bishop, renew their priestly commitment to fulfill their offices in the Church, to serve the Lord and His people. After the renewal of priestly service, the oils are brought forward in procession and the bishop blesses them.
5. The Three Holy Oils
- The Oil of the Sick: plain olive oil, carried by one who is ill or a medical professional, blessed for healing and wellness.
- The Oil of Catechumens: plain olive oil, carried by one preparing for baptism, blessed for wisdom and strength.
- The Oil of Chrism: olive oil with balsam, carried by one preparing for confirmation or ordination, consecrated with prayer and invocation of the Holy Spirit.
The Bishop blesses each oil with specific prayers, asking for healing, wisdom, strength, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. After the Mass, the oils are distributed to parishes and missions. Delegates take the oils back to their communities. Some parishes present the oils to the pastor or faith community on Holy Thursday.
The Chrism Mass is a beautiful expression of the Catholic Church’s sacramental life and the Unity in the Priesthood of Christ. In our Archdiocese the anticipated Chrism Mass and Blessings of Holy Oils is scheduled on 10th of April at 3:30 pm.
Fr. Josely Rocha