As has been the longstanding tradition in the Diocese of Trenton, the Chrism Mass will be celebrated by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. on the Monday of Holy Week, which this year is March 30.

A change, however for this year’s Chrism Mass is its location.

While it is customary that major diocesan liturgies are celebrated in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, which is the mother church of the Diocese, a scheduling conflict has prompted that the Chrism Mass be moved to St. Robert Bellarmine Church, 61 Georgia Rd., Freehold. The Mass will begin at 7:30 p.m.

The Chrism Mass is the time when the holy oils to be used for sacramental ministry throughout the year are blessed by the Bishop. The Bishop blesses the Oil of the Sick, which is used for the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, and the Oil of Catechumens, which is imposed on those preparing for Baptism. The Bishop also consecrates the Sacred Chrism, which is used at the ordination of priests and bishops, Baptisms, Confirmations, the dedication of altars and the blessing of churches.

The Mass is also a time for all priests of the Diocese to stand before the Bishop and renew their vows, recommitting themselves to their priestly service and vocation.

For this year’s Chrism Mass, there will be Sign Language Interpretation, with well-marked reserved areas near the interpreter for those who are deaf, and also for persons in wheelchairs. Low-gluten hosts for those who have a wheat intolerance will be administered during the reception of Holy Communion and newly consecrated and blessed oils are to be picked up for the parish after Mass in classroom areas that will be clearly marked according to counties.