Archbishop Cordileone celebrates annual Chrism Mass at the Cathedral
By Catholic San Francisco
On Thursday, April 10, Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone celebrated the annual Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in San Francisco, joined by more than 120 priests from across the Archdiocese.
The Chrism Mass is one of the most solemn and significant liturgies of the Church year. During the Mass, Archbishop Cordileone blessed the three sacred oils—Oil of the Sick, Oil of Catechumens, and Sacred Chrism—that will be used in sacraments throughout the coming year.
In his homily, the Archbishop spoke on the importance of the oils—especially Chrism oil.
“Our Mass tonight…derives its name from the third oil, which is not only blessed but consecrated, and solemnly so, the Oil of Chrism,” said Archbishop Cordileone. “The Sacred Chrism anoints Christ’s people to be his priestly people; it is used in the celebration of those sacraments which leave an indelible mark on the soul…The sacraments of initiation incorporate all of the faithful into the priestly people of God, the people whom, St. John tells us in his vision in the Book of Revelation, Christ has made into a kingdom of priests for His…Father.”
A second significant aspect of the Chrism Mass was the renewal of promises of priestly service by the priests in the Archdiocese. The promises include being evermore closely conformed to Jesus; being faithful stewards of the mysteries of God, including the sacraments; and faithfully following Christ the Good Shepherd with zeal for souls. The faithful then prayed for the priests and promised to support them in their ministry and in fulfilling their promises.
“[Bishops and priests anointed with Chrism oil] are the ones whom Christ calls to share in His three gifts of sanctifying, governing and teaching specifically for the sake of God’s people, to act in His place in providing this anointed service for all of the members of the Body of Christ for the building up of the Body,” said Archbishop Cordileone. “This is also a work of harvesting, a harvest of souls. And it is likewise hard work, such that at times the priest can feel like he is expending all of the energy he has but with little results…We whom Christ calls to be His coworkers in the harvest must recognize this, and condition ourselves through prayer, fasting, study, and the daily recommitment to our priestly service of sanctifying, serving and teaching God’s people for the sake of leading them in the way of holiness of life.”
Earlier in the day, the priests and deacons participated in a day of recollection centered on St. John Vianney, the patron saint of parish priests, led by former Phoenix Bishop Thomas J. Olmstead. Simultaneously, the wives of the deacons participated in a retreat led by Sister Toni Lynn Gallagher, RSM on the Stations of the Cross.
