By Rose O’Connor | Correspondent

The sanctity and the significance of Holy Week in the salvation story of Catholic Christians were ever present at the Chrism Mass April 14 in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton. The faithful from all four counties of our diocese gathered for a celebration that the Roman Missal cites as "one of the principal expressions of the fullness of the unity of bishops’ priesthood and signifies the close unity of the priests with him."

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That close unity was evident as some 200 priests joined Bishop David M. O'Connell, C.M., in the concelebration of Mass where that ministry in the Church is "particularly signified by the blessing and consecration of the oils: Oil of the Infirm, Oil of the Catechumens and the Sacred Chrism” which is used in the celebration of the sacraments throughout the year."

The Chrism Mass is a centuries old celebration traditionally observed on Holy Thursday. It was not until 1955 when Pope Pius XII called for the Chrism Mass to be a separate celebration held in dioceses during Holy Week.

"The Chrism Mass is a special occasion to re-think our call and recommit ourselves to Christ and the Good News to one another and to the people of God,” said Bishop O’Connell.

 During his homily Bishop O’Connell addressed his brother priests and reminded them of the great magnitude of and purpose of the oils and that in "every use with each sacrament the Lord Jesus Christ is in them."

This mission and call to a new evangelization is one wrought with many challenges in a society where, as Bishop O’Connell disclosed, "entitlement has replaced effort, venom has replaced virtue, relativity has replaced resolution, confusion has replaced conviction, passivity has replaced passion.”

Prior to the Renewal of Commitment to priestly service, Bishop O'Connell addressed the congregation, speaking of how the Chrism Mass is an ancient custom in which priests “renew our priestly commitment, here in your presence…”

“We recognize, all of us, that being a priest, staying a priest, dying a priest takes effort, takes nurture, takes resolution, takes conviction and takes passion.  All these things must be present in the oils which we bless and use in the sacraments that we share, must be there in the ministry that we exercise, in the preaching that we do; in the crosses that we bear, in the light of the people, in the witness that we give in the communities that we love and serve as priests.”

He continued, “May the sacramental fraternity renew us all, as we, as brothers, as presbyters, renew our commitment and let us as priests re-kindle hope. Let us as priests, re-present mercy. Let us as priests re-write concern for others in the unfolding story that is the people of God.”

Following his homily, Bishop O'Connell invited all those present to pray for the priests of this diocese and also for him.

The Oil of the Sick or Oleum Infirmorum was presented to Bishop O'Connell by members of the Hospital Pastoral Care Ministers. The Oil of Catechumens, the Oleum Catechumenorum or Oleum Sanctum, was brought forth to the altar by members of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults  team of Sacred Heart Parish, Trenton. The Sacred Chrism was presented by the Confirmation candidates and staff of St. George Parish, Titusville. Representatives of the jail and prison ministries presented the gifts of bread and wine.

"The kids were thrilled to be part of the Mass" Gabrielle Casieri of St. George Parish said. 

Drew Brodine, a candidate who is preparing for Confirmation in May concurred. "It’s an honor to be a part of this," he said of the Chrism Mass.

Following the Liturgy of the Eucharist, Bishop O'Connell poured the balsam, fragrant oil that symbolizes the sweet scent of virtue associated with Christ, into the oil and mixed the chrism.

The bishop then breathed over the opening of the vessel of the chrism and said the consecratory prayer.  At the end of the prayer of consecration, he invited his fellow priests to extend their right-hand toward the chrism to silently join the bishop in prayer.

“To the deacons, I express special thanks for the witness and commitment of your love to the people of God, to our seminarians-how blessed we are to have you pursuing vocations, to all of our women religious in consecrated life, thank you for your service to the people and to all of you,” he said. “…We are so honored for all that you do for us and for one another, as you grow together in faith in the Church.”

During remarks of gratitude to the diocese’s priests, Bishop O’Connell said, “I thank you, thank you for your service, I thank you for your commitment, and thank you for your witness and the love that you shower so generously on your people. You are as good as it gets in the Church.  I believe that with all of my heart and I thank you for all that you are, and all that you do.”  

Those in attendance echoed the sentiments of Bishop O’Connell and showed their heartfelt love and appreciation with a resounding round of applause. 

The many priests in attendance we are also honored to take part in the Chrism Mass.

Father Joy Chacko, parochial vicar of St. Gabriel Parish, Marlboro, commented on how meaningful it was for him to concelebrate the Mass with the Bishop and to witness the consecration of the sacred oils. He also remarked on the sense of unity he experienced with his brother priests and people from throughout the diocese at the Chrism Mass.

““It’s always good for the priests of the diocese to gather with the Bishop at the cathedral and to pray as a presbyterate in this ancient tradition of the Church,” Father Joseph Jakub, pastor of Corpus Christi Parish, Willingboro, said as he reflected on the Chrism Mass.

Deacon Ed Wilson of St. Leo the Great Parish, Lincroft found the Chrism Mass to be “a very moving, very spiritual experience and a great way to begin our journey through Holy Week.”

The Chrism Mass, he said, “helps us prepare for the great Paschal Mystery that we will be celebrating this weekend at Easter.”