"May your holy oil, O Lord, be blessed by You, for our sake"
The annual Chrism Mass took place Tuesday morning, March 26th, at the Cathedral of St. Patrick in Norwich, continuing the celebration of Holy Week leading up to Easter.
The Most Rev. Michael R. Cote, D.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Norwich, blessed the sacramental oils that will be used by parishes throughout the diocese in the coming year for baptism, confirmation, anointing of the sick and the ordination of priests.
In his homily, the Bishop remarked, "It is the clergy, religious and laity, gathered here for this yearly event, that is church at its most visible." When speaking to his brother priests, he said, "Our people are hungry for the anointing of God... to be touched and healed by the generous overflow of God's life and grace." He continued, "The faithful look for the Good News of the gospel that touches their daily lives. When they sense that the Anointed Christ has come to them through their priest, they are encouraged to entrust to him everything they want to bring before the Lord."
It was in this spirit that Bishop Cote led the Renewal of Priestly Promises before the assembled priests and Jubilarians.
Priests from various parishes convened, renewing their priestly vows and recommitting to their pastoral mission. The priests resolved to renew their promises, to be more united with and more closely conformed to the Lord, to “be faithful stewards of the mysteries of God” in liturgical rites, and to “discharge faithfully the office of teaching.”
A gallery of photos from the Chrism Mass can be found here.
Please click here for a complete schedule of Masses and other services streamed from the Cathedral during Holy Week.
This year's Chrism Mass can be viewed in its entirety below.
Article by Andrea DePaola
Photos by Catherine Hoffman
Have a Blessed Holy Week!