Holy oils blessed at Chrism Mass, vows and promises renewed

Intermountain Catholic

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Bishop John C. Wester pours the scented balsam into the olive oil before it is consecrated into the Holy Chrism oil. The Chrism oil is the only oil that is scented, which goes along with the touch and feel of the experience of the sacrament or ordination.

SALT LAKE CITY — The Most Rev. John C. Wester welcomed the people of the Diocese of Salt Lake to celebrate the Eucharist and bless and consecrate the holy oils in the Cathedral of the Madeleine March 26. "The three holy oils will be used throughout the year to bring God’s peace, healing, love and light to so many people," he said.

Bishop Wester welcomed his brother priests, deacons and their wives, Abbot David Altman from the Abbey of Our Lady of the Holy Trinity in Huntsville, the religious, the Knights of Columbus, the Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulchre, and the laity.

"Tonight we gather as God’s holy people to celebrate this Mass of the sacred oils – the oil of the catechumens, the sick, and the sacred Chrism," said Bishop Wester in his homily. "They are signs of what makes us truly happy – Jesus Christ. Christus means the anointed one at work in us and in his church."

Bishop Wester said anointing the oils reminds us that they are like the Word which permeates our beings. In baptism and confirmation, we are given the light and the life of Christ, the warmth of the loving community and the strength to live this new life in Christ. "In the sacrament of the sick we are healed of physical, spiritual, and psychological ailments," he said. "At ordination, our priests’ hands, anointed with the Chrism, are hands of healing, of benediction, hands that hold the sacred host and precious cup, hands that bring peace and reconciliation, love, renewal, dignity and affirmation."

"The Chrism Mass is one of the most beautiful liturgies that we as a diocese celebrate together," said Timothy Johnston, diocesan director of liturgy. "The Mass is a way to symbolically remind us that all the parishes in the diocese are intimately linked to the ministry of the bishop."

The Chrism Mass is also a time for priests, deacons, religious, and laity to renew their promises to the Church. The priests resolved to continue their fidelity to their consecrated vows and to cooperate with the bishop for the good of the whole Church in Utah. The deacons resolved to continue to assist the bishop and the presbyterate, to serve the people of God and be faithful ministers of the sacrament. The deacon’s wives resolved to continue their love and support to their husbands in their ministry in the Church. The sisters and brothers resolved to continue with fidelity their consecrated religious vows and to offer their lives fully to God and the whole Church in Utah. The laity resolved through their time and talents through Jesus Christ to also serve God’s people. The bishop also asked for prayers for himself to faithfully fulfill his office of apostle which Jesus Christ has entrusted to him.

The bishop then blessed the oils of the sick and catechumens and consecrated the holy chrism oil. The bishop poured balsam into the olive oil, which became the sacred Chrism oil. "It is the only oil that has a scent. The scent is a symbol, an odor that goes along with the touch and feel of the sacrament," said Johnston. "The scent is a reminder that draws you into your own experience of baptism or ordination if you are a priest. The Chrism oil is consecrated like the Eucharist, it becomes Christ. So when you are sealed with this oil during the sacraments, you are bound to be like Christ. The ritual allows for the bishop to breathe on the Chrism to infuse the Holy Spirit into the Chrism."