Chrism Mass? Never heard of it?

Don't worry, you aren't alone. I was a Catholic for two whole years before i even heard of the Chrism Mass. As a new Catholic i had weekly sessions with my Spiritual Director Monsignor Brian Arahill up in his room at St. John Vianey house in Ponsonby. In his own words he explained that the Chrism Mass is one of the Church's most beautiful liturgies on it's calendar and believe it or not, most Catholics go through life without experiencing a Chrism Mass.

Every year bishop Pat consecrates oils that are to be used throughout the diocese. At this Mass, priests from all over the diocese gather with their bishop and the faithful to remember the day of their ordinations and also renew their commitment to ministry and service to the Church. At this Mass the bishop also asks the faithful to remember him and his brother bishops in their prayers, so that they may remain faithful to the office of the apostle which Christ has entrusted to them.

The Chrism Mass is usually celebrated on the morning of Holy Thursday but can also be transferred to another day during Lent. For the Catholic Diocese of Auckland - the Chrism Mass is always celebrated on the Monday after Palm Sunday every year. So if you haven't experienced the joy of the Chrism Mass, make sure to enter the date in your diary for next year.

The liturgy begins like any other Mass with the Entrance Procession and this year we had 7 Deacons, something like 30 plus Priests - both diocesan and religious and 3 Bishops. Celebrating was Bishop Patrick Dunn (Bishop of Auckland) assisted by Bishop Dennis Browne (Bishop Emeritus of Hamilton) and Bishop Stuart O'Connell (Bishop Emeritus of Rarotonga) all processing in to the hymn "Praise to the Lord the Almighty the King of Creation".

From the very beginning in the collect (opening prayer) through to the readings in the liturgy of the word, the word that stands out the most is "anointed" and "anoint" - which is what we use the oils for.

• Oil of the Sick
• Oil of Catechumens
• Oil of Sacred Chrism

We use the holy oils to "anoint" and those that gather to renew their commitments to ministry are also known as "anointed ones" - (well we are all anointed ones) Except priests and bishops are anointed with the oil of sacred chrism at their ordinations. Bishop Pat's homily focused on the verses from the book of the Prophet Isiah where he speaks of the "anointed ones" and pointed out in the gospel of Luke that same phrase of Isiah's referring to it as the "Mission Statement" for the Church.

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
    because he has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
    and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

The liturgy continued on to the liturgy of the Eucharist and again the word "anoint" continued to be the on going theme for the night as pointed out in the Preface of The Priesthood and the Ministry of Priests.

"For by anointing of the Holy Spirit you made your only Begotten Son
High Priest of the new and eternal covenant"

and during the Consecratory Prayer when the bishop and all concelebrating priests pray together:

"Pour out the gifts of your Holy Spirit on our brothers and sisters who will be anointed with it." & "Above all, Father we pray that through this sign of your anointing".

At the end of communion, representatives from each of the diocese's parishes and chaplaincies come forward to greet the bishop and collect the oils. So as you can see, the Chrism Mass is a big deal for the priests of the diocese as they come together to one - recall their ordinations and two - renew their commitment to serve the church and the ministry which has been appointed to them. For those who aren't ordained, the Chrism Mass is also an opportunity to renew our commitment to serve the Church and to faithfully serve our bishops and priests as they serve us.

Phot credit: Rochelle Dias - Auckland Catholic Youth Ministry Office.

For a full album of photos from Monday nights Chrism Mass head to the ACYM Facebook page.