Each year during Holy Week a special Mass is celebrated by the bishop at the cathedral that brings together all of the priests. While the Church prescribes for it to take place on Holy Thursday, our bishop brings us together today for the Chrism Mass to help encourage priest participation.

During this Mass, the bishop blesses the new oils that after Mass will be distributed to all the parishes in our 19-county diocese for our sacramental use for the next year. The three distinct oils are used for various Sacraments: Oil of the Sick (anointing), Oil of the Catechumenate (baptism) and Sacred Chrism (baptism, confirmation, holy orders).

Additionally during the Mass, the priests and bishop will renew their promises.

Please whisper a prayer for your priests today.