Thursday, March 29, 2018

The Chrism Mass in Rome

This Easter I will be staying in Rome.  No trips, no visits - just time to pray, to reflect, to celebrate, to rejoice - as we follow the Lord through these holiest of days - the Sacred Triduum.

Traditionally, the first event of the 3-day period is the Chrism Mass - in the morning of Holy Thursday.  In many dioceses, because of the difficulty of gathering the priests on Holy Thursday itself, the Chrism Mass is celebrated (as the rubrics say) "the Mass of Chrism may also be transferred to another day, but near to Easter..."

Well, here in Rome, it is celebrated on Holy Thursday morning.  So this morning, with the priests of the Diocese of Rome, the many priests who live, work and study here in Rome, the Bishops and Cardinals who live and work in Rome, I was able to concelebrate the Chrism Mass with our Holy Father, Pope Francis.

Pope Francis following the reception of Holy Communion

A very important moment during the Chrism Mass is when all the priests renew their priestly promises.  I must admit, as great as it is to do that each year with my bishop, there really is something about renewing your priestly promises with the Holy Father himself - the Vicar of Christ and successor to the Apostle Peter.  They are words about which I reflected this morning in my prayer (in preparation).

The Holy Father says:
"Beloved sons, on the anniversary of that day when Christ our Lord conferred His priesthood on His Apostles and on us, are you resolved to renew in the presence of your Bishop and God's holy people, the promises you once made?"

The Priests respond: "I am."

The Holy Father says:
"Are you resolved to be more united with the Lord Jesus and more closely conformed to Him, denying yourselves and confirming those promises about sacred duties towards Christ's Church which, prompted by love of Him, you willingly and joyfully pledged on the day of your priestly ordination?

The Priests respond: "I am."

An aside: I highlighted the words above because they are the ones that really struck me in prayer today.  I remember well the day nearly 22 years ago, that I made those promises.  They were INDEED filled with joy and with love for Christ, His Church, and His people.  What a great and precious gift God has given to me, unworthy though I am.

The Holy Father says:
"Are you resolved to be faithful stewards of the mysteries of God in the Holy Eucharist and the other liturgical rites and to discharge faithfully the sacred office of teaching, following Christ the Head and Shepherd, not seeking any gain, but moved only by zeal for souls?"

The Priests respond: "I am."

The Holy Father then addresses the People of God gathered and says:
As for you, dearest sons and daughters, pray for your priests, that the Lord may pour out His gifts abundantly upon them, and keep them faithful as ministers of Christ, the High Priest, so that they may lead you to Him, who is the source of salvation."

 The Holy Oils as they leave the Basilica.

Later next week I will go to the Cathedral church of Rome, St. John Lateran, to refill our oil stocks for the house.  Just like everywhere, you have to get the oils.  Fortunately, not having a parish, it's not something that has to be done today (in order to have the oils for the Easter Vigil and the confirmation of those being baptized and brought into the Church).  So one day next week, while seminarian Peter Rettig from Waynesboro is visiting, I'll make the trip to get the oils for the house.



And my "boss" - Edwin Cardinal O'Brien, as he processes out of St. Peter's Basilica at the conclusion of the Chrism Mass.

This evening Cardinal O'Brien is presiding at the Mass of the Lord's Supper at the North American College (the US Seminary here in Rome).  Then tomorrow and Saturday night we'll again be commemorating these important days with our Holy Father.  I'll keep you posted!

1 comment:

  1. It’s wonderful to be able to connect with you through your blog. Have a blessed Easter!

    ReplyDelete