'God is Truly Alive' - Chrism Mass Celebrated
The annual Chrism Mass took place Tuesday morning, March 30, at the Cathedral of St. Patrick in Norwich. Although closed to the public because of COVID-19 restrictions, clergy attended in person and the Mass was live streamed.
The Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, D.D., Bishop of Norwich, blessed the sacramental oils used by parishes throughout the diocese in the coming year for baptism, confirmation, anointing of the sick and the ordination of priests.
"Today in the midst of Holy Week, we gather as the Church of Norwich to bless the oils that will be used throughout the year in our parishes and institutions, bringing Christ to us through His sacraments," the Bishop said. "During this Holy Week and throughout the year, God is truly alive in our midst: in our Diocese and our families, and in each one of us today."
In his homily, the bishop told the online viewing audience that, "your priests and your bishop miss you. I pray you miss us as well."
"Distance has become too frequent a word," he said. "While pandemic has limited us, I pray we may retain a deep desire to gather to worship God as individuals, but also as communities, because God called us as individuals, but He called us as a people. A community of faith."
To the priests, Bishop Cote quoted Pope Francis: "We are not distributors of bottled oil. We anoint by distributing our selves, our vocation. When we anoint others, we ourselves are anointed anew by the faith and affection of our people."
After his homily, the Bishop led the Renewal of Priestly Promises before the assembled priests and Jubilarians. Twelve Jubilarians celebrating anniversaries of between 25 and 55 years took part.
"Our priests are here to renew their priestly promises, and we gather together in spirit with the faithful throughout our Diocese to call upon the Savior of the world to renew His presence in our lives, our ministries and our work in building God's kingdom in this portion of His vineyard," Bishop Cote remarked.
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.”
The Mass of Chrism
Tuesday, March 30, 2021
Check the Holy Week Schedule for other Masses and services being streamed from the Cathedral.
Holy Week Schedule
