Our annual diocesan chrism Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, April 11 at 7 p.m. at St. Mary’s Cathedral in St. Cloud. This Mass takes its name from Jesus Christ, the Anointed One of the Father, and from the fragrant oil consecrated at this celebration and used in the sacraments of Christian initiation and holy orders, and for the dedication of a church and an altar.
The chrism Mass evolved from the early Church’s practice of preparing and blessing the oils for Christian initiation at the Easter Vigil Eucharist. In Rome, this blessing was transferred back to the Mass of Holy Thursday and later became a separate Eucharist on the morning of that day with elaborate blessings for the oil of catechumens, oil of the sick and sacred chrism. A revised chrism Mass was included in the 1970 Roman Missal, with the provision that it could be celebrated on another day near Easter. New translations of the Mass prayers are provided in the current Roman Missal (2011). The new English translation of the “Order of Blessing the Oil of Catechumens and the Sick and of Consecrating the Chrism” is available for use this year.
Here I offer you some reasons why you owe it to yourself to participate in the chrism Mass:
1. Be part of a grand diocesan tradition. In 1982, Bishop George Speltz moved our diocesan chrism Mass from its traditional date on the morning of Holy Thursday to April 2, a Friday evening. This happy change enabled clergy and people from all parts of the diocese to gather in a more convenient and leisurely way. Following the Mass, the St. Cloud Visitor included this observation: “Last Friday’s chrism Mass, at a new time and outside of the usual hectic Holy Week schedule, was a splendid celebration. The nearly full cathedral church joined together parishes from all over the diocese to share in the blessing of oils and prayers for their priests. Much talent was shared in choirs, musicians and dancers, and powerful prayer was prayed. For those present, the celebration was exquisite. Tears of joy and jubilant prayer were in good supply and God indeed was praised by his people in the Diocese of St. Cloud.” Such a “splendid celebration” has been the experience of those who have participated in the evening chrism Mass for the past 37 years. Why not be part of this diocesan tradition and make it your own tradition?
2. Praise the Lord with melodious song. The chrism Mass brings together a choir of talented singers and instrumentalists from around our diocese. They generously offer their gifts to lead the assembly in sung prayer. The celebration includes liturgical music in English, Spanish and Latin, as well as one Scripture reading proclaimed in Spanish. These are important ways of recognizing and honoring the cultural richness of immigrants who now make their home in our diocese. The musical menu of the chrism Mass is sure to be diverse and nourishing.
3. Renew your commitment to discipleship. At the chrism Mass, Bishop Kettler invites his priests to renew their priestly promises and recommit themselves to ordained ministry. Pope St. Paul VI added this rite to the chrism Mass in the 1970 Roman Missal. But at our chrism Mass, this is preceded by a renewal of commitment by the laity and deacons. It is very fitting that all present are invited to recommit themselves to the service of God and others that is rooted in their baptismal mission, whatever their vocation in life. As you join with your fellow believers to recommit yourself to being what Pope Francis calls a “missionary disciple,” you will be enlivened and energized for the task.
4. Celebrate finding the spiritual through the material. In the ancient world, oil was everywhere: in the kitchen; in the bathhouse; and in the gymnasium, where it was used to help athletes limber up before their contests. The Church took over these natural uses of oil and raised them to a spiritual plane in its sacramental celebrations. In the rite of Christian initiation, the oil of catechumens is used to help baptismal candidates limber up for their lifelong struggle against evil. Sacred chrism is used to anoint these new Christians as members of Christ’s royal priesthood. Like Jesus Christ, we are to be the fragrance of life itself for a world that needs it.
We Catholics revere the sacramental principle whereby material things can convey spiritual realities. Oil is a fitting symbol of the gift of God’s blessing to us. Its rich and easy flow — plus its power of healing, soothing and strengthening — make it a fitting sign of the coming of God’s grace into our lives. God touches us, heals us and empowers us through the holy oils that help us experience God’s salvation even now.
5. Experience beautiful and powerful ritual. In 1983, hymn writer Benedictine Sister Delores Dufner and composer Jay Hunstiger collaborated on a “Hymn for the Oil” and “Acclimation for the Oil” for use during the procession and blessing of the holy oils. These texts have worn well, and they still accompany and highlight the presentation of the oils by parishioners from around our diocese and the blessing by Bishop Kettler. There is a bit of drama in his consecration of the chrism. Bishop Kettler pours fragrant balsam into the oil. Then, as the Spirit-filled leader of our diocese, he breathes three times into each large jar of chrism, just as Jesus breathed on his disciples for the gift of the Holy Spirit. The procession with the oils, sung texts and prayers of blessing constitute an elegant ritual that is familiar but new every year. That is why I especially look forward to this part of the liturgy every year.
6. Affirm young Catholics and the elect in their faith. Many parishes send their confirmation candidates to the chrism Mass. It is a joy to see so many young people there, often wearing their best clothes and perhaps participating in this Eucharist for the first time. For here, Bishop Kettler consecrates the chrism that will be used to sign their foreheads at their confirmation and seal them with the Holy Spirit. These young Catholics have one foot in the Church of today and one foot in the Church of tomorrow. It is good for us older folks to pray with them and for them in this celebration of praise and blessing, and it is good for them to see us doing so. And their presence and participation in this Mass are a powerful witness for each other.
Some of the elect, those who are preparing for Christian initiation at Easter, and candidates for reception into the full communion of the Catholic Church will be present at this Mass but will be dismissed with the prayer of the assembly for a special catechesis. We look forward to the day when all of them can join us in sharing holy Communion.
7. Put “you” into unity. The chrism Mass expresses most clearly the unity of faith that binds together the bishop, clergy and people of our diocese. We are visibly and tangibly united in the holy oils that we all share in the sacraments and in the mission of the Church, a mission to make all things one in Christ. The chrism Mass highlights the many ministries by ordained and non-ordained persons who work to create that unity. No matter how much we may differ from one another theologically and politically, the chrism Mass expresses our enduring unity in Jesus Christ and deepens it. Just as “unity” needs a “u,” so the chrism Mass looks for you and me to participate fully, consciously and actively in this liturgy. See you there!
Benedictine Father Michael Kwatera is a monk of St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville, serves as the abbey’s director of liturgy.