The Chrism Mass, during which sacred chrism is consecrated and oils used by the Church for the year are blessed, will take place during Holy Week. The Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Earl K. Fernandes at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 31, at Westerville St. Paul the Apostle Church.
The Mass is concelebrated by priests from across the diocese, a significant manifestation of the fullness of a bishop’s priesthood. The sacred liturgy also signifies the close bond of a bishop and his priests.
The Mass is traditionally celebrated on Holy Thursday morning. Pope Leo XIV will celebrate Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday, which falls on Thursday, April 2 this year.
Locally, the Mass was moved to Tuesday of Holy Week to secure the attendance of as many diocesan priests as possible.
“This is because, in addition to the blessing of oils, all priests renew their priestly promises annually at the Chrism Mass,” said Father Paul Keller, O.P. (Order of Preachers), director of the diocesan Office of Divine Worship.
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The Order of Blessing the Oil of Catechumens and of the Sick and of Consecrating the Chrism was implemented in the United States during Lent 2019. The order provides direction on the blessing and use of holy oils in the liturgical life of the Church.
Two oils are blessed during the Chrism Mass: Oil of the Sick and Oil of Catechumens. Chrism is also consecrated.
Consecration of objects is reserved to the bishop. Priests, however, can also bless oils.
At the Chrism Mass, the bishop first blesses the Oil of the Sick.
In a prayer of blessing, the bishop prays that the oil safeguard the body, soul and spirit. He asks that all who are anointed be free of pain, infirmity and all sickness.
He then blesses the Oil of Catechumens.
The bishop implores three effects on catechumens who will be anointed: understanding of the Gospel, undertaking of the labors of Christian life and rejoicing to be born anew.
Consecration of chrism, a mixture of olive oils and balsam, is the high point of the ritual.
Only a bishop can consecrate chrism. The aromatic oil signifies the power of the Holy Spirit.
Olive oil represents the outpouring of sacramental grace, and balsam, emanating a fragrant odor, symbolizes the sweetness of Christian virtue.
Oil is also known to give strength, while balsam preserves from corruption. Anointing with sacred chrism signifies the fullness of grace and spiritual strength to resist sin.
Chrism is used in the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation.
It is also used in the sacrament of Holy Orders. Priests and bishops are anointed with sacred chrism in their respective ordinations to the Order of the Presbyterate and Order of the Episcopate.
Newly-blessed oils are poured into smaller vessels and distributed to diocesan parishes following the Chrism Mass.
Before or during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, celebrated the evening of Holy Thursday, the meaning of the holy oils is explained to the congregation.
The term “Chrism Mass” did not appear until reformation in 1955. The Roman liturgy was previously limited to one celebration on Holy Thursday, during which oils were blessed by the bishop.
Pope Pius XII, separating the blessing of the oils from the Holy Thursday evening Mass, emphasized that all sacramental grace flows from Christ’s sacrifice.
The Chrism Mass has since become centered on communion between the bishops, his priests and people.