Chrism Mass Reminds Us Of Our Dependence On God

On Tuesday evening, March 26, the annual Chrism Mass for the Diocese of Evansville was held at St. Benedict Cathedral in Evansville. The ceremony reminds us of our oneness with Christ through the sacrament of baptism and its holy anointing.

And as Bishop Charles C. Thompson pointed out during his homily, the Chrism Mass also serves to remind us of our relationship with our Creator.

“Everything about the Chrism Mass points to the fact that each and every human being is absolutely dependent upon God for salvation,” said Bishop Thompson. “God alone who created us and gives us life is able to redeem us.”

During the Mass, priests and deacons from throughout the diocese gathered around Bishop Thompson, who consecrated the holy Chrism and blessed other holy oils for use in the coming year. Bishop Emeritus Gerald A. Gettelfinger also joined the priests and deacons as a concelebrant.

“The blessing and anticipated use of our sacred oils — namely the Oil of the Sick, the Oil of Catechumens and Chrism — signify our total dependency on the grace and power of the Holy Spirit to work in and through us as ministers of the Church — the Body of Christ,” Bishop Thompson told the hundreds in attendance at the Mass. “Furthermore, all that we are about and do must be done in no other name than that of our great High Priest, Jesus Christ. It is in His name that we effectively proclaim the Word of God, celebrate and dispense the grace of Sacraments and carry out his mandate of service in charitable works to those in need.”

The holy Chrism consecrated annually by the bishop is used to anoint the newly baptized, to seal candidates for confirmation and to anoint the hands of presbyters and the foreheads of bishops at their ordination, as well as the rites of anointing pertaining to the dedication of churches and altars. The oil of catechumens is used in the preparation of catechumens for their baptism; the oil of the sick is used to bring comfort and support to the sick.

The oil to be blessed at the Chrism Mass consists of simple olive oil. A fragrant essence is added to the holy Chrism just prior to its consecration. Any blessed oils from the previous year are to be burned or buried and replaced with the new oils from the Chrism Mass. 

The holy oils blessed at the Chrism Mass are then taken back to the parishes and other institutions of the diocese to be used for the benefit of the Christian people. They may be ritually received as part of the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper (Holy Thursday).

“Tonight we recommit ourselves to authentic discipleship in Jesus Christ to proclaim the Word of God, to celebrate the Sacraments faithfully and to carry out charitable works that reflect divine mercy and justice,” Bishop Thompson said toward the end of his homily. “May the Lord bless our blood, sweat and tears of ministry and service along with these sacred oils.”