Chrism Mass: Consecrated by the Holy Spirit for Mission
By Bishop Carl F. Mengeling


At the annual Chrism Mass the Church proclaims Jesus Christ as the great High Priest anointed by the Holy Spirit. We celebrate the gift and mystery of the priesthood which Jesus shares with those he has chosen. Holy Thursday also celebrates the faith of our Church in the essential relationship of the priesthood to the Eucharist.

During the Chrism Mass our priests publicly make a Renewal of Commitment to Priestly Service. The assembly from all parts of our diocese listen to our priests solemnly repeat their promises with our bishop. All present publicly assent to support our priests in esteem, love and prayer.

The Chrism Mass also gathers the bishop, priests, deacons and faithful of our diocese for the blessing of the Holy Oils and the consecration of the Chrism. The sacred oils are needed for baptism, confirmation, anointing of the sick and dying and the ordination of bishops, priests and deacons who celebrate and dispense the Sacraments.

The Bible Readings of the Chrism Mass speak about the Work of the Holy Spirit and about anointing. Isaiah prophesies about the Messiah: "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord has anointed me." In the Gospel, Jesus speaks about Himself being anointed by the Holy Spirit for a mission. Jesus applies to Himself the words of the prophet Isaiah. All the members of Jesus for two millennia and now can see that this also applies to us who are anointed with the Holy Oils and the Sacred Chrism.

Each of us can say with Jesus, "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me. He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor." All of us have been anointed in Baptism and in Confirmation. Nearly 900 candidates and catechumens will experience the anointing during this year’s Easter Vigil.

Every time a person is anointed in the Church, the action of the Holy Spirit takes place. Every time there is an anointing, a mission is entrusted to the person anointed.

I invite and encourage you to join your priests and bishop on Thursday, April 8, at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, East Lansing, for the Chrism Mass at 10:00 a.m. (note: location changed from St. Mary Cathedral, Lansing) During this Chrism Mass I will consecrate the Oil of Holy Chrism and bless the Oil of Catechumens and Oil of the Sick for use in our diocese.

I heartily invite young Catholics who will soon receive Confirmation. I also encourage our priests to invite those who are interested in the priesthood. The Chrism Mass is a splendid opportunity for our priests to propose priesthood to many.