The Chrism Mass explained

In a series of reflections, the Secretary of the Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments, Archbishop Arthur Roche, walks Vatican Radio through the Holy Week liturgies, explaining their significance, symbolism and place within the history of Christ’s Passion, Death and Resurrection.

He begins with the Chrism Mass, the first of the liturgies Holy Thursday morning, that leads us towards the Holy Triduum.

Listen:

“On the first Holy Thursday when Our Lord in the Upper Room, celebrated the Eucharist with his disciples…he ordained his first bishops, his first priests. On that day every year, in every diocese throughout the world, the bishop together with his priest gather together to celebrate Mass together. It’s called ‘the Great Concelebration’. It’s a very unique event, in the life of the Church because the priests renew their promises to serve the Lord, in the various ministries that they have been given. But they also promise to serve the Lord through the conversion of their own lives constantly turning towards Him, the source of all life”.

“On this same occasion the Chrism Mass – chrism is the same word as Christ, Jesus is called Christ because he is the Anointed One of God – the oils which are used for the celebration of the Sacraments are blessed and consecrated. The Oil for the Sick… and the Oil of Catechumens…and the Oil of Chrism is consecrated. Through that oil of Chrism those who are being ordained bishops or priests will have that oil put either on their head …or hands to show that they are being set apart in a very special way to minister to the people of God. They are the ones to bring Christ to the people whom they have been sent to serve”.

Emer McCarthy 

Source: www.news.va (Apr.16, 2014)