UPDATED April 15, 2025
For the Church of Trenton, the Monday of Holy Week is a time of grace when members of the diocesan family join Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., for the annual Chrism Mass.
On April 14, lay persons, religious, priests and deacons filled the 1,100-seat nave of St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold, where they joined Bishop O’Connell for the annual Mass, regarded as one of the most solemn and significant liturgies in the Church year.
PHOTO GALLERY: 2025 Chrism Mass
Steeped in rich symbolism and tradition, the Chrism Mass is the annual gathering when the Bishop blesses the holy oils that are used in the sacramental ministry of priests and deacons in parishes throughout the coming year. During the Presentation of the Gifts, designated representatives carried vessels containing the Oil of the Sick and Oil of the Catechumen to be blessed by the Bishop, along with the Sacred Chrism, which the Bishop consecrates. The Sacred Chrism is used for the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, the Ordination of priests and bishops and the consecration of churches and altars. After the Mass, parish representatives carry the blessed oils back to their faith communities to be used in sacramental rites.
“The consecration of Chrism and the blessing of the holy oils of catechumens and the sick are a beautiful, sacred expression of the Church’s enduring, sacramental care for the people of God – gifts to and for them,” Bishop O’Connell said.
Renewal of Ministry
A major focus of the Mass is when the members of the presbyterate renew their priestly promises before Bishop O’Connell. “With all the diocesan and religious priests serving in the local Diocese present before and united with their Bishop as successor to the apostles, they renew their fidelity and loyalty to him and to Jesus Christ,” the Bishop said.
In turn, the Bishop asks for the support of their prayers. “For the Bishop, for me, these moments together – the sacramental oils, the gathering of priests, the Eucharistic assembly of this local Church – are all profoundly humbling. I thank you for being here.”
Bishop O’Connell took the opportunity to focus on the “words, hands and heart of a priest.”
Priestly ordination, the Bishop said, “places on your lips the Word of God.”
“When you speak, when you preach, when you teach, when you give counsel as priests, the faithful listen to God’s voice,” he said.
“My brothers, your words matter,” the Bishop said. “And not only what you say but how you say it, oftentimes your manner can be more instructive. Be thoughtful when you speak. Be careful when you speak. And be faithful in your words to truth.”
During the Rite of Ordination, the hands of a priest are anointed with the Oil of Chrism, “the same Chrism we consecrate tonight,” the Bishop said.
“Your hands were and remain anointed to sanctify, to offer sacrifice,” he said. “Your hands are anointed with oil as both an instrument and a symbol.”
The heart of a priest, Bishop O’Connell said, “gives the truest meaning to the words he speaks and how he speaks them.”
“The heart of the priest gives the truest purpose and direction to his anointed hands … The heart of the priest gives the truest love to those for whom he was ordained and how he serves them – always.”
Following the homily, Bishop O’Connell invited the priests to renew their personal dedication to Christ.
The Bishop also acknowledged Rev. Mr. Alan Bridges, a transitional deacon for the Diocese who is expected to receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders May 31 at 10 a.m. in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton.
Making the Connection
Kyle McBride of St. Thomas More Parish, Manalapan, found his first Chrism Mass to be meaningful, especially since he is discerning his own priestly vocation. McBride extended appreciation to Father Christopher Colavito, diocesan director of vocations, for the invitation to attend the Chrism Mass, and noted “how really beautiful it was to see so many priests, young and old” in one place as well as the Bishop who exuded much joy.
While Giovanna Jesusi, a member of St. Rose of Lima Parish, Freehold, has attended the Chrism Mass for the past five years, she found the 2025 celebration to be “much more joyful and overwhelmingly happy.
“I felt the warmth, the love and Holy Spirit among us,” she said, noting that she believes it’s important for the faithful of the Diocese to attend the Chrism Mass and show support for those men who are already priests and to encourage young men to consider the priesthood.
“To see all of the men in the Diocese who have given up their life to serve is such a joy,” Jesusi said, and reiterating Bishop’s homily, she added that it’s important for the people of the Diocese to support their priests.
“We need to be there for them because they are here with us,” she said.
First time Chrism Mass attendee Evelia Garcia of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Lakewood, also spoke of how impressed she was to see so many priests including her pastor, Divine Word Father Guilherme Andrino and, of course, the Bishop.
Garcia said it was a “great joy” to participate in the Chrism Mass with the Bishop and she appreciated how in his homily he spoke about the priests “and the mission they have.”
She added how moved she was when the Bishop acknowledged Rev. Mr. Bridges and his upcoming ordination.
“What I liked was that there was a new person who was looking to become a priest,” she said.
On Monday evenings, Rose McVey usually attends the 7 p.m. Mass in St. Michael Church, West End, where she volunteers as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion and a lector. But when the chance to attend the Chrism Mass for the first time surfaced, she readily arranged for coverage of her parish ministries and found her way to the Co-Cathedral.
“It’s true what the Bishop said about how a priest uses his voice, hands and heart to connect with his parishioners,” she said.
“This was wonderful to experience,” McVey added, “to hear the Bishop, see so many priests and be part of this diocesan community.”
Bishop O’Connell prepares to consecrate the Sacred Chrism to be used in parishes throughout the coming year. Sacred Chrism is administered in the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Ordination of Priests and Bishops and the consecration of altars. Mike Ehrmann photo