Renewing unity and promises at the Chrism Mass with the bishop

Intermountain Catholic

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The oils are prepared to be presented to Bishop Wester to be blessed during the Chrism Mass. IC photo/Jenn Sparks

SALT LAKE CITY — On Thursday, April 10, the priests of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, the deacons and their wives, religious women, and the lay community gathered at the Cathedral of the Madeleine to celebrate the Chrism Mass.

The Most Rev. John C. Wester, Bishop of Salt Lake City, presided.

The ceremony started with a procession in which the Coro Hispano and the Choir from the Madeleine Choir School Choristers filled the Cathedral with their voices and instruments.

During the Mass, Bishop Wester was assisted by two deacons and accompanied by the abbot of Our Lady of the Holy Trinity Trappist monastery in Huntsville.

"My brothers and sisters, this is a wonderful, wonderful time that brought us together and I welcome all of you here, especially my brother priests, who will be renewing your priesthood promises, and I thank you for being such collaborative brothers. I’d also like to welcome the deacons and religious and lay people and everybody that is together with us tonight for the celebration of this Holy Chrism Mass," said Bishop Wester.

The bishop continued, "As the people of God in the Church of Utah, we gather tonight to consecrate the holy oils of God’s salvation. These oils will be used in celebrations in the sacraments throughout the diocese. We also are witness of the commitment of the priests to our Church."

Before starting his homily, Bishop Wester thanked the deacons’ wives for being present that night and for all the work and service that they do for the Church.

In his homily, Bishop Wester reflected on a time when a terminal cancer patient went to a Catholic church seeking forgiveness.

"He wanted to make amendments and reconnect with the Church. For him the priest was the sign of unity. As we celebrate this Chrism Mass tonight we see that the priests are a wonderful gift for all of us," said Bishop Wester, who then reflected on all the tragedies and conflicts in the world and how Catholic priests help confront them.

"They are a tangible and a living symbol of unity. Their mission is to bring love when there is hatred, harmony when there’s tension, peace where there’s war. In this Mass tonight we see these signs of unity; the oils remind us about the unity. We all are reminded through the oil about the unity. The sacred oils symbolize the unity of the priest with their bishop; it brings us the Good News," said the bishop.

After the homily, Bishop Wester asked all the priests to stand for the Renewal of Priestly Promises. The bishop also asked the religious sisters, deacons and all the community to renew their promises to the Church.

After the renewal of the promises, three different jars with the oils were presented one by one to the bishop. Each jar was presented by members of a different group: those who care for the sick, those who are preparing for baptism and those who are preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation.

The oils of the sick and the oil of catechumens were blessed by Bishop Wester, and then the chrism oil was consecrated.