Blessing of Chrism oils brings light into darkness, salvation from sin

An ancient tradition that creates a new beginning? The blessing of the Chrism oils.

The oils, consecrated during a special Mass, will be used to welcome the catechumens to the Church at the Easter vigil, and other sacraments throughout the years.

St. Joseph Cathedral welcomed a packed house to witness and participate in the sacred Chrism Mass on March 26. The number of priests and deacons overflowed the sanctuary into the first few pews of the Cathedral, which was packed to near capacity.

“My goodness what a joyful noise,” said Bishop Michael W. Fisher, referencing both the Roman Catholic Community of the Tonawandas Choir performing and the congregation. “As we come together with our voices filled with joy, filled with faith this Holy Week as we walk those steps with our Lord Jesus in His passion, His death and ultimately His resurrection. I welcome all of you here today to our cathedral as we celebrate this Chrism Mass.”

Also present were candidates and elect who will join the Catholic faith during the Easter vigil.

“We thank them and welcome them as they come to witness the blessing of those oils that will be used for the sacraments,” the bishop said.

In his homily, Bishop Fisher explained that Catholics celebrate that which is the “source and summit of our Christian life – the Holy Eucharist.” During the Chrism Mass Catholics give thanks for the gift of the Holy Eucharist as well as the priesthood, which is so intimately tied to it.

“Today, no matter where we are, we are bound together in Christ Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. This is an unshakable and unbreakable bond, one that brings joy to life for all of us who embrace it. For this above all, we give thanks to God in this Eucharist,” he said.

That bond gives us access to God. It is a bond with a purpose and a mission set over 2,000 years ago.

As we celebrate salvation from darkness and sin, we are aware that darkness can still creep in and dampen our hopes and suppress our ability to love as fully as God wants us to.

“We are not fully delivered from fear and worry, nor from pain and sickness. And we face death with what waits for us. So, it is comforting to us when we hear those words from Scripture – ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon us.’”

“This Chrism Mass reassures us, and reminds us of the constant comfort that Jesus the Savior gives. Jesus is close to us. Do we experience that encounter daily in our lives and in our hearts? Do we listen to His voice in our souls? Jesus is present and continues to carry out His saving work in a wonderful way through the sacraments of the Church to which we belong.”

The bishop called the sacraments the “inexhaustible treasure that comes from God’s presence in our lives.”

Following his homily, Bishop Fisher asked the priests present to renew their priestly promise. They resolved to become more united with the Lord and be faithful stewards to the mysteries of God.

Three copper urns were brought to the altar, where Bishop Fisher blessed and consecrated them.

He asked the candidates and elect, who cannot yet partake in the Eucharist, to stay during Communion as a sign of hope.

Following Mass, the priests present gathered bottles of each of the three oils to use at their parishes.

St. Joseph, St. John Paul Schola Cantorum and the Roman Catholic Community of the Tonawandas Choir performed.

Listen to Michael Mroziak’s report: