?I am the Alpha and the Omega... the one who is and who was and who is to come, the almighty' Rev. 5: 1-8

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Bishop Wester stirs perfumed oil into the oil for Chrism before blessing it. The oil for Chrism is presented by Deacon Michael Bulson. He is accompanied by Rachel Leonard and Chris Turner, confirmandi from St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Salt Lake City.

SALT LAKE CITY — The Most Reverend John C. Wester, bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, welcomed more than 900 people to the Cathedral of the Madeleine March 13 for the annual Chrism Mass. A deeply symbolic and profound liturgy in which all three oils used in sacraments throughout the diocese for a year are blessed, the Chrism Mass is also the setting in which all priests in service to the diocese, all religious sisters and brothers, and all laity renew their commitments to the diocese in the person of the bishop.

The bi-lingual liturgy was rich with music in English, Latin, and Spanish, including a newly composed communion antiphon, "Has amado la justica" by Leo Nestor, director of the Institute of Sacred Music at The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. It was dedicated to the Coro Hispano de la Catedral (the Cathedral of the Madeleine’s Hispanic liturgical music group), and was premiered during this Chrism Mass. The music was provided by the Madeleine Choir, the Coro Hispano de la Catedral, and choristers from the Madeleine Choir School under the direction of Gregory Glenn.

In his homily Bishop Wester recognized that people had gathered for the Chrism Mass from all parts of the state and all walks of life to break the bread of Eucharist and bless the oils, "both signs of our unity in Christ."

He thanked the priests for renewing their promises, "and for working tirelessly. The people want holy priests, and the priests want holy people. We are all called to holiness, and that holiness is only possible in and through Jesus Christ, the anointed one."

The holy oil of Chrism, used to ordain and to anoint, is a symbol of Christ’s presence, Bishop Wester said. "It is linked with the Word. It allows us to open our ears to the Word, and it gives us strength to act on the Word. The oil and the Word go together."

This is a busy church, Bishop Wester said, and we are busy people, working within our ministries and all other activities. The reality is that the oils being blessed at the Chrism Mass should be allowed to sink into our pores, "and we should take time to be with the Lord, to pray, and to build our relationship with God and one another."

"We are entering our holiest week," said the bishop. "We are reminded now to carve out some time for God and for one another. I urge you to make that decision. Say yes. Recognize the importance of hearing the Word, and put the Word into action.

"We must ask ourselves: Do we have time for the poor... for those on the margins of society?" Bishop Wester said. "...All the poor and the needy remind us that they are Christ in our midst. We are called to focus on the anointed one, because the poor are us."

One at a time, each group was asked to rise and renew their promises of commitment to the church and the bishop – the priests, the laity, the religious brothers and sisters, and the deacons.

Each group was asked to pray for each other, and Bishop Wester asked everyone to pray for him in his ministry of bishop.

The olive oils were then presented, carried by deacons who were accompanied by representatives of the ministries in which the oils are used – first the Oil of the Sick, then the Oil of Catechumens, and finally, the oil for the Holy Chrism. The bishop blended the oil for Chrism with a fragrant perfumed oil of balsam, then breathed into the Chrism – the oil of salvation.

The Mass continued with the Liturgy of the Eucharist. At the end of the Mass, priest and deacon representatives from each of the parishes met to carry the now consecrated oils back to their parishes across the diocese.