Oils of Gladness and the Holy Priesthood
Reflection on the Chrism Mass – Holy Thursday
April 13, 2017
by Mico Pacheco
April 13, 2017
by Mico Pacheco
Holy Thursday contemplates on two great gifts that Christ has given the Church. In the evening of Holy Thursday, we remember the Last Supper of our Lord; the institution of the Eucharist, through which we, to this day, partake of the Body and Blood of our Lord and make present the Passion, Death and Resurrection of our Lord; and the institution of priesthood, which he showed by the mandatum: to “love one another as I have loved you”, exemplified by the washing of the feet as a call to servanthood.
We contemplate on these gifts on the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Passion which begins the three most important days in the liturgical year: the Paschal Triduum. In the morning of the said day, however, dioceses across the globe celebrate the Chrism Mass.
WHAT IS THE “CHRISM MASS”?
The Church, with its foundation on scriptures and tradition, has always held the use of oils with special significance. In the Old Testament, we see the use of oil to anoint the heads of kings, noblemen and prophets. In the New Testament, we see the prevalence of the use of oil in the Jewish society in which Christ was part of.
The Church uses three kinds of oil today. The first two oils are blessed, while the other oil is consecrated.. The Oil of the Sick (Oleum Infirmorum) is used to anoint the sick, assuring them of God’s healing mercy especially in times of grave illness. The Oil for Catechumens (Oleum Sanctum) is exorcised oil used to give strength to catechumens preparing for their baptism. The most special of oils is which is consecrated – the Chrism Oil which is used in the Sacrament of Initiation and the Sacrament of Holy Orders and even in sanctifying religious objects and places (such as the dedication of a Church).
During the Chrism Mass, these oils, which are very important in the ministry of the Church, are blessed and consecrated. These oils hold a special place in the mystery of the priesthood which is celebrated in the Chrism Mass. It, in fact, is the only Mass in every diocese during the said morning where all priests concelebrate with their bishop to show unity and communion in the priesthood of our Lord Jesus Christ.
A CELEBRATION OF PRIESTHOOD
During the Chrism Mass, as all priests join their bishop for morning Mass, priests renew their priestly vows before their local ordinary and the people of God. This is to show their fidelity, loyalty and obedience to their bishop who represents the Pope, who in turn is the Vicar of Christ. They renew the promises they made during their ordination – to serve God and his people by offering of their lives.
These oils, therefore, charge priests of rejuvenating their mission order - for these oils correspond to their ministry of initiating people into the fold of the Holy Mother Church, of bringing comfort to the sick and infirm, and to give strength to those in need.
Dear brothers and sisters in the faith, let us pray for our priests. Today, as they renew their priestly promises, let us ask God to shower them with the graces they need in order to minister to His people. May He grant us holy and devout priests and may He also grant strength to those priests who, due to their human frailty, have lost their way and fell to sin. A priest is also subject to human weakness but due to their ordination, they share in the priesthood of Christ which is charged with great holiness and zeal. May all priests be like Christ, holy and loving, caring and serving, ready to do all for those in his care.
To all our dear priests and bishops, TU ES SACERDOS IN AETERNUM! YOU ARE PRIESTS FOREVER IN THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK.
We contemplate on these gifts on the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Passion which begins the three most important days in the liturgical year: the Paschal Triduum. In the morning of the said day, however, dioceses across the globe celebrate the Chrism Mass.
WHAT IS THE “CHRISM MASS”?
The Church, with its foundation on scriptures and tradition, has always held the use of oils with special significance. In the Old Testament, we see the use of oil to anoint the heads of kings, noblemen and prophets. In the New Testament, we see the prevalence of the use of oil in the Jewish society in which Christ was part of.
The Church uses three kinds of oil today. The first two oils are blessed, while the other oil is consecrated.. The Oil of the Sick (Oleum Infirmorum) is used to anoint the sick, assuring them of God’s healing mercy especially in times of grave illness. The Oil for Catechumens (Oleum Sanctum) is exorcised oil used to give strength to catechumens preparing for their baptism. The most special of oils is which is consecrated – the Chrism Oil which is used in the Sacrament of Initiation and the Sacrament of Holy Orders and even in sanctifying religious objects and places (such as the dedication of a Church).
During the Chrism Mass, these oils, which are very important in the ministry of the Church, are blessed and consecrated. These oils hold a special place in the mystery of the priesthood which is celebrated in the Chrism Mass. It, in fact, is the only Mass in every diocese during the said morning where all priests concelebrate with their bishop to show unity and communion in the priesthood of our Lord Jesus Christ.
A CELEBRATION OF PRIESTHOOD
During the Chrism Mass, as all priests join their bishop for morning Mass, priests renew their priestly vows before their local ordinary and the people of God. This is to show their fidelity, loyalty and obedience to their bishop who represents the Pope, who in turn is the Vicar of Christ. They renew the promises they made during their ordination – to serve God and his people by offering of their lives.
These oils, therefore, charge priests of rejuvenating their mission order - for these oils correspond to their ministry of initiating people into the fold of the Holy Mother Church, of bringing comfort to the sick and infirm, and to give strength to those in need.
Dear brothers and sisters in the faith, let us pray for our priests. Today, as they renew their priestly promises, let us ask God to shower them with the graces they need in order to minister to His people. May He grant us holy and devout priests and may He also grant strength to those priests who, due to their human frailty, have lost their way and fell to sin. A priest is also subject to human weakness but due to their ordination, they share in the priesthood of Christ which is charged with great holiness and zeal. May all priests be like Christ, holy and loving, caring and serving, ready to do all for those in his care.
To all our dear priests and bishops, TU ES SACERDOS IN AETERNUM! YOU ARE PRIESTS FOREVER IN THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK.