The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist was filled with priests, deacons, seminarians and other faithful on April 11 for the annual Chrism Mass, a Holy Week tradition during which the holy oils used for sacramental purposes throughout the diocese are blessed. Priests also renew their priestly promises during the Mass.
?I am grateful to the priests who came in such numbers to renew their priestly promises tonight,? said Bishop Daniel Thomas, apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Cleveland. ?Know how grateful I am for the ministry you do. You have my support. My ardent prayer, my brother priests, is that each time you baptize, you are renewed; each time you anoint the sick, that you are soothed to serve the flock more faithfully.?
Principal celebrant for the liturgy was Bishop Thomas. He was assisted by more than a dozen concelebrating priests, including auxiliary Bishop emeritus Roger Gries. Bishop emeritus Anthony Pilla was in attendance.
?The spirit of God is upon me,? Bishop Thomas said in his homily. ?We gather in unity from across the diocese,? he said, explaining that the Chrism Mass is a special liturgy at which the diocesan family of faith celebrates the renewal of priestly promises and witnesses the blessing of the Oil of Catechumens, which is used to anoint those who are joining the Church and for baptism and confirmation; Oil of the Sick, which is used to anoint the ill; and consecration of the chrism, which is used during holy orders (ordination), consecration of a bishop and for baptism and confirmation.
He explained the rich tradition of anointing, which dates back to before the time of Christ.
?For centuries the Church celebrated the blessing of oils for sacred rituals. People still use oils today for the same purposes as in ancient times,? Bishop Thomas said, referencing oils used for massages before or after exercise. He said oils and lotions also are used to help us look younger
