Holy Week begins with annual blessing of oils liturgy

By Mary Moore
The Catholic Sun

Hundreds of faithful gathered for the annual Chrism Mass at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral April 10. The yearly Holy Week celebration draws Catholics together from all parts of the diocese with its rich tradition and symbolism.

During the Chrism Mass, Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted consecrated the oil of catechumens, the oil of the sick and the oil of chrism. The first is used for adult catechumens and infants, the second for anointing the sick and the sacred oil of chrism is used for baptism, confirmation, the ordination of priests and the consecration of altars.

Since the early Church, bishops have blessed oil prior to the Triduum so a fresh chrism could be used to baptize catechumens at the Easter Vigil. The tradition grew to include all oils used in Church ministry.

Cars, buses and vans brought parish ministry representatives and other worshipers to Phoenix for the bilingual celebration. Also present were religious, priests and deacons from throughout the diocese as the Chrism Mass also serves as an opportunity for them to recommit themselves to their vocation. A section of the liturgy is devoted especially to the priests who stand and recommit themselves to their role in response to the bishop’s formal petition.

Bishop Olmsted gave a special address to the more than 80 of his fellow priests present during the homily, encouraging them to increase and maintain their prayer life, especially in daily Mass and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. He asked each of them to devote specific prayer intentions to an increase in vocations to the priesthood.

“Join me in asking the Lord to send more laborers, more priests, to join our ranks,” he said.