Annual Chrism Mass celebrates vocations, blesses oils

Intermountain Catholic

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Retired Bishop Richard Hanifen of Colorado Springs is accompanied by Diocesan Consultors Msgr. Robert Servatius, Msgr. J. Terrence Fitzgerald, Father Hernando Diaz, and Father Colin Bircumshaw at the Consecration during the annual Chrism Mass in the Cathedral of the Madeleine. Above, right, Bishop Hanifen blesses the Oil of Catechumens, offered by Deacon Manuel Velez with Brittany Rogers and Shane Peterson, confirmandi from St. John the Baptist Parish, Sandy. IC photos by Barbara S. Lee

SALT LAKE CITY — The annual diocesan Chrism Mass, celebrated this year by Retired Bishop Richard Hanifen of Colorado Springs, recognizes the ongoing vocations of service of the priesthood, the sisters and brothers in religious life, and the laity, and in the blessing of the oils to be used throughout the next year, assures that the sacramental needs of the diocese will be fulfilled.

Bishop Hanifen, after conducting a day of reflection for diocesan priests, began the Chrism Mass with gratitude.

"After a bishop retires," he said, "they don’t ask you to celebrate the Chrism Mass, and it’s one of my favorite ceremonies. I was very pleased to be invited."

Calling his service to the Diocese of Salt Lake City, currently waiting for its ninth bishop to be assigned, "Rent-a-Bishop," he spoke of his love for the Cathedral of the Madeleine, calling its building, "a testimony to what a few people can do in difficult times."

The sacraments and the oils to be blessed for their use, "are symbols of who we are, distinct in our calls, and in our roles in the Church. We are united in love of Jesus, who came not to be served, but to serve.

"The Holy Spirit, first in creation, breathed on the chaos, and made beauty and order out of that chaos. It was the breath of God on us, and today that breath brings order to a troubled world."

During the Liturgy of the Word, the priests, sisters, brothers, and lay people of the diocese were each asked to stand and repeat their vows and promises of service to the diocese.

After the renewal of vows, Bishop Hanifen blessed the oils for sacramental use – the Oil of the Sick, presented by Deacon John Bash with Lorraine and Enrique Fonseca, communion ministers to the sick at St. Francis Xavier Parish, Kearns; the Oil of Catechumens, offered by Deacon Rubel Salaz with Anna Kontas and Holy Cross Sister Martha Ann Norwood, RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) at St. Martin de Porres Parish, Taylorsville; and the Oil for Chrism, presented by Deacon Manuel Velez with Brittany Rogers and Shane Patterson, confirmandi from St. John the Baptist Parish, Draper.

The Oil for Chrism is mixed with special scents and is used for the dedication of churches, the blessing of altars, and the ordination of priests, deacons, and bishops.

"The sacraments are the tangible touches of Jesus in our lives," Bishop Hanifen said. "As we bless these oils, we pray that God will bring to the Diocese of Salt Lake City the shepherd we need."

In his homily, Bishop Hanifen called the holy oils of the sacraments, "symbols of our very lives..." The priests, renewing their vows, "are carrying out a loving pledge to God that we all carry out in our Baptism and in the Eucharist... Being blessed by the Eucharist, we will turn and serve the world with the love God has given us. We will bring glad tidings to the poor."

The poor, he said, should be called "our poor," because "we share in their poverty."

Jesus was all about forgiveness, he said, and urged Christians to "let each other off the hook" and serve each other.

"Begin in your own homes," he said.