On Tuesday of Holy Week, Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., joined by priests of the Diocese, will celebrate the annual Chrism Mass at St. Mary\u2019s Cathedral \u2013 a celebration that includes the blessing of oils and the renewing of priestly promises. It will take place at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 22, and all are invited to attend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Oil is an ancient symbol of strengthening, healing and preparation and, following the homily in the Mass, Bishop da Cunha will bless the three oils to be used in the sacramental life of the Diocese during the year. The Oil of the Sick and the Oil of the Catechumens consist of an olive oil and are blessed in the same way holy water is blessed. The Oil of the Sick is used for the anointing of all who suffer in mind and body; the Oil of the Catechumens is used for the anointing of infants, children and adults who are preparing for baptism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The third oil, the Sacred Chrism, is an olive oil mixed with balsam and will be consecrated by the bishop during the Mass. The bishop will breathe on the oil, which is symbolic of the Holy Spirit. Sacred Chrism is used in baptisms, confirmations, ordinations, and the dedication and blessing of churches and altars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Chrism Mass is also a time for priests in the presence of the bishop and the faithful to renew their commitment to the ministry to which they were ordained. Bishop da Cunha will then ask the lay faithful present at the Mass to pray for their priests as well as for him in his ministry as diocesan bishop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After the Mass, the oils are distributed to all parishes in the Diocese for their use throughout the year.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
On Tuesday of Holy Week, Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., joined by priests of the Diocese, will celebrate the annual Chrism Mass at St. Mary\u2019s Cathedral \u2013 a celebration …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_crosspost_to_16":false,"_crosspost_to_17":false,"_crosspost_to_18":false,"_crosspost_to_19":false,"_crosspost_to_20":false,"_price":"","_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"","_ticket_start_date":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":false,"_tribe_ticket_use_global_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_global_stock_level":"","_global_stock_mode":"","_global_stock_cap":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_going_count":"","_tribe_ticket_not_going_count":"","_tribe_tickets_list":"[]","_tribe_ticket_has_attendee_info_fields":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[154],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[13],"class_list":["post-3767","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"pp_force_visibility":null,"pp_subpost_visibility":null,"pp_inherited_force_visibility":null,"pp_inherited_subpost_visibility":null,"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n