Rituals of Chrism Mass highlight solemnity of the celebration, Bishop Solis says

IC photo/Marie Mischel

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Bishop Oscar A. Solis with the priests of the diocese consecrates the Chrism Oil during the April 7 Chrism Mass in the Cathedral of the Madeleine.

SALT LAKE CITY — The annual Chrism Mass was celebrated April 7 in a cathedral filled to overflowing this year, providing a welcome comparison to the past two years, when public attendance was limited by pandemic requirements.

Bishop Oscar A. Solis presided, joined by his brother priests of the diocese. Attending were the deacons and their wives, religious women who minister in the diocese, and laity from throughout Utah. The Cathedral Choir and the Coro Hispano provided music ministry, the Knights of Columbus provided the honor guard, and ambassadors from Juan Diego Catholic High School served as greeters.

“Tonight, we see our Diocese of Salt Lake City at its finest, displaying the unity of the bishop with the priests and the entire Church community as members of the Body of Christ with Jesus, who is the head of the Church,” Bishop Solis said in his homily, speaking in English and Spanish.

He noted that the rituals of the Mass highlighted the solemnity of the celebration.

“The Liturgy of the Word reminds us of our dignity as God’s servants, anointed to bring the message of hope to a world afflicted by suffering and death due to the pandemic, war, division, hatred, natural calamities and a culture of indifference to the sufferings of others,” he said. In addition, the priests renewed their promises to the bishop, while the deacons, religious and laity renewed their commitments of love and service to God and to one another as priest, prophet and king.

One of the unique rituals of the Chrism Mass is the blessing of the Oil of Catechumens and the Oil of the Sick, and the consecration of the Chrism Oil. After the Mass, the oils were distributed to the priests to take back to their parishes to be used throughout the year “in the celebration of the sacraments through which Jesus brings to the diocese and to the world healing, reconciliation and peace,” the bishop said. “For this reason, we are reminded of our vocation, of our identity and dignity. We are called to bring fulfillment through the words of the Scriptures in the name of Christ, who came to serve and not to be served, and who gave his life as ransom for many.”

“So, my dear brothers and sisters, tonight we are reminded of our privilege of bringing Christ to the world,” Bishop Solis continued. “We are here to renew our dedication and commitment to bring the Oil of Healing and gladness to the poor and to the broken-hearted; to bring God’s mercy to the peripheries, and to transform our parishes into field hospitals to bind the wounds and apply the balm of comfort to those who are sick and suffering.”

During the Mass, the bishop expressed his gratitude to the priests, deacons, religious and all the faithful, and thanked them “for your fidelity and partnership in our mission, especially during these challenging times. Let us continue to pray for one another, that through the intercession of our Blessed Mother, our Lord will bless us with his abiding and saving presence. May the renewal of our priestly vows and baptismal promises renew our faith, our ministry, so that our lives and our world may likewise be renewed.”