'In Memory of Him'
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
By Mary Stadnyk | News Editor
As the days of Holy Week are filled with liturgies rich in symbolism and tradition, the annual Chrism Mass stands out for its prayerful elegance and reflection of diocesan unity.
And so once again, on the evening of April 2, more than 800 lay persons, religious, priests and deacons came together as a family with their spiritual shepherd, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., for this solemn and significant liturgy which is celebrated in cathedrals around the world.
Click HERE for gallery of photos.
The overflowing throng of faithful who filled St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, including a large number of children, teenagers and young adults, and even a few babes in arms, intently looked on as Bishop O’Connell blessed the holy oils to be used in the sacramental ministry of priests and deacons in parishes and missions throughout the coming year. The faithful also witnessed the priests’ public renewal of their commitment of their life of service.
“The Church is more than only its bishops and priests,” said Bishop O’Connell in his homily. “We know that the Church is a community of believers…faithful pilgrims heading toward the Kingdom of God through the waters of Baptism to new life in Jesus Christ.”
Enriched by the solemn and sacred music offered by the Diocesan Festival Choir, the Chrism Mass engaged the congregation in the symbolic rituals that united the faithful and their sacramental life around their bishop.
At the Presentation of the Gifts, parish representatives carried vessels containing the Oil of the Sick, Oil of the Catechumens and Sacred Chrism where they were to be blessed by Bishop O’Connell at the end of the Mass. Parish delegates would then carry the blessed oils and chrism back to their faith communities to be used in sacramental rites throughout the year.
The Oil of the Sick, which is used to anoint those who are in need of healing, was presented by John Kalinowski, director of the diocesan Department of Pastoral Care, along with a contingent of pastoral caregivers serving in parishes. The Oil of the Catechumens, which is used in the Baptism of catechumens at the Easter Vigil, was carried by RCIA team members of St. Barnabas Parish, Bayville. The Sacred Chrism, which was consecrated by Bishop O’Connell and used for Baptisms, Confirmations, the ordination of priests and bishops and the consecration of altars and blessing of churches, was brought forth by baptismal preparation team members in St. Aloysius Parish, Jackson. The gifts of bread and wine were presented by parishioners of Resurrection Parish, Delran.
In consecrating the Sacred Chrism, which gives the Chrism Mass its name, the bishop mixed olive oil with a sweet-smelling balsam in a vessel. After reciting a prayer, Bishop O’Connell breathed over the opening of the vessel and asked God to fill it with the power of the Holy Spirit.
Along with the blessing of the oils, the Chrism Mass holds great significance for the priests of the diocese as it is the occasion when they renew their commitment to Christ and commitment of service to the people of God in the Diocese of Trenton. Bishop O’Connell led Bishop Emeritus John M. Smith and the more than 100 priests in their recommitment to priestly service.
In directing his remarks to the priests in his homily, Bishop O’Connell made a link between the ministry of the priesthood and Jesus’ Passion, Death and Resurrection.
“More than any other week of the year, Holy Week defines who you are and what you do” (as priests), he said. “It gives you your identity and assigns you your mission: you have been called to be Christ for the world and to be and do this in memory of him.”
“Holy Week is our life and our work as priests, our identity and our mission as priests, who we are and what we do as priests. It is why we were ordained, why we have been given the responsibilities we have, what we must teach and preach and offer to the pilgrim people of God as priests,” Bishop O’Connell said.
Rachel Bushar, a member of St. John Neumann Parish, Mount Laurel, said she and her husband, David, attend the Chrism Mass each year.
“It’s a wonderful way for us to begin our Holy Week by coming here to the cathedral for the Chrism Mass,” said Bushar.
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By Mary Stadnyk | News Editor
As the days of Holy Week are filled with liturgies rich in symbolism and tradition, the annual Chrism Mass stands out for its prayerful elegance and reflection of diocesan unity.
And so once again, on the evening of April 2, more than 800 lay persons, religious, priests and deacons came together as a family with their spiritual shepherd, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., for this solemn and significant liturgy which is celebrated in cathedrals around the world.
Click HERE for gallery of photos.
The overflowing throng of faithful who filled St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, including a large number of children, teenagers and young adults, and even a few babes in arms, intently looked on as Bishop O’Connell blessed the holy oils to be used in the sacramental ministry of priests and deacons in parishes and missions throughout the coming year. The faithful also witnessed the priests’ public renewal of their commitment of their life of service.
“The Church is more than only its bishops and priests,” said Bishop O’Connell in his homily. “We know that the Church is a community of believers…faithful pilgrims heading toward the Kingdom of God through the waters of Baptism to new life in Jesus Christ.”
Enriched by the solemn and sacred music offered by the Diocesan Festival Choir, the Chrism Mass engaged the congregation in the symbolic rituals that united the faithful and their sacramental life around their bishop.
At the Presentation of the Gifts, parish representatives carried vessels containing the Oil of the Sick, Oil of the Catechumens and Sacred Chrism where they were to be blessed by Bishop O’Connell at the end of the Mass. Parish delegates would then carry the blessed oils and chrism back to their faith communities to be used in sacramental rites throughout the year.
The Oil of the Sick, which is used to anoint those who are in need of healing, was presented by John Kalinowski, director of the diocesan Department of Pastoral Care, along with a contingent of pastoral caregivers serving in parishes. The Oil of the Catechumens, which is used in the Baptism of catechumens at the Easter Vigil, was carried by RCIA team members of St. Barnabas Parish, Bayville. The Sacred Chrism, which was consecrated by Bishop O’Connell and used for Baptisms, Confirmations, the ordination of priests and bishops and the consecration of altars and blessing of churches, was brought forth by baptismal preparation team members in St. Aloysius Parish, Jackson. The gifts of bread and wine were presented by parishioners of Resurrection Parish, Delran.
In consecrating the Sacred Chrism, which gives the Chrism Mass its name, the bishop mixed olive oil with a sweet-smelling balsam in a vessel. After reciting a prayer, Bishop O’Connell breathed over the opening of the vessel and asked God to fill it with the power of the Holy Spirit.
Along with the blessing of the oils, the Chrism Mass holds great significance for the priests of the diocese as it is the occasion when they renew their commitment to Christ and commitment of service to the people of God in the Diocese of Trenton. Bishop O’Connell led Bishop Emeritus John M. Smith and the more than 100 priests in their recommitment to priestly service.
In directing his remarks to the priests in his homily, Bishop O’Connell made a link between the ministry of the priesthood and Jesus’ Passion, Death and Resurrection.
“More than any other week of the year, Holy Week defines who you are and what you do” (as priests), he said. “It gives you your identity and assigns you your mission: you have been called to be Christ for the world and to be and do this in memory of him.”
“Holy Week is our life and our work as priests, our identity and our mission as priests, who we are and what we do as priests. It is why we were ordained, why we have been given the responsibilities we have, what we must teach and preach and offer to the pilgrim people of God as priests,” Bishop O’Connell said.
Rachel Bushar, a member of St. John Neumann Parish, Mount Laurel, said she and her husband, David, attend the Chrism Mass each year.
“It’s a wonderful way for us to begin our Holy Week by coming here to the cathedral for the Chrism Mass,” said Bushar.
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