The annual chrism Mass will be celebrated this year at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 6, at St. Mary’s Cathedral in St. Cloud.
This special Mass takes its name from the chief anointing oil, the holy chrism, which can only be consecrated by the bishop. At the chrism Mass, Bishop Donald Kettler will bless the oils that will be used for the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, initiation, holy orders and the anointing of the sick. Also at the Mass, priests of the diocese come together to renew their priestly vows.
The holy chrism oil is used at the baptism of infants, in confirmation, to anoint the hands of priests at their ordinations, to anoint a bishop-elect and to bless church buildings.
The oil of the sick is used in the sacrament of the anointing of the sick.
The oil of catechumens is for those who are preparing for baptism through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Once the oils have been blessed, they are dispensed into containers and brought back to each parish and kept in a dedicated place, until their next use.
After the blessing of the oils, Barbara Sutton of the St. John’s School of Theology and Seminary in Collegeville will lead a dismissal with the catechumens. To register a parish group, call the Office of Worship at 320-255-9068.