Hundreds of priests and deacons from throughout the Diocese of Cleveland joined religious sisters and other faithful on April 16 in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in downtown Cleveland for the annual chrism Mass, which was celebrated by Bishop Nelson Perez. The liturgy was streamed live on the diocesan website (click HERE to watch the replay).
Concelebrants included Auxiliary Bishop emeritus Roger Gries; Bishop Martin Amos, retired bishop of the Diocese of Davenport; and Benedictine Abbot Gary Hoover. Bishop emeritus Anthony Pilla was in attendance.
Bishop Perez paid special recognition to the concelebrating priests in attendance who renewed their priestly promises during the Mass. Also, the bishop blessed the oil of the catechumens and the oil of the sick, as well as consecrating the oil of the sacred chrism. These holy oils are used throughout the diocese for the coming year in the celebration of the sacraments.
“My brother priests, what’s at the center of our faith – the Eucharist – couldn’t happen without you,” the bishop said in his homily. He told the priests they have a special place in the Church. He also reminded them they were not called because they were perfect or holy. “I’m not sure why God called us, but he did.”
The bishop reminded the priests they are surrounded by many who will help them with their ministry, but said those people may not know what is in the priest’s heart. He thanked them for the gift they share with the Church “and for the awesome warmth and kindness with which you’ve treated me as I travel around the diocese.”
Bishop Perez said as he walked through the cathedral he couldn’t help but think about the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris, which was heavily damaged in a major fire the previous day -- April 15. He said there were rays of hope because even as the cathedral burned, people gathered to sing, pray and cry while firefighters worked to save the landmark, historic structure.
The next morning, the bishop said he saw some amazing images showing votive candles still burning in the cathedral, despite massive damage and destruction of the roof and spire. The Pieta sculpture and a crucifix also were clearly visible in photos. Reports said many other sacred and treasured items were saved as well.
“There are no coincidences for God,” he said. “It was almost like the burning bush – the fire didn’t consume the whole thing.”
“No matter how much water was poured on the fire, it continued to burn. But the morning after the fire was out, those candles that were lit by people who went to the church to pray, were still there and were still lit.”
Bishop Perez said the Church has faced its own crisis this year, with renewed focus on the clergy sexual abuse scandal. He told the priests he thought about them being faithful to God and hurting for the priests who did great harm. “I also saw you surrounded by your people who are hurting and sad,” he added. “But you stood up and were a priest for them.”
He told the priests the Church will be stronger and more faithful because of them. “You are steadfast and you persevered,” he said, comparing them to the votive candles at Notre Dame that remained lit after the blaze. “This is not a coincidence; it’s a sign from God.”
The bishop connected his thoughts to Holy Week and the Easter Vigil, noting that fire will be blessed during that liturgy, the light of Christ will enter the churches that night and persevere.
“My brother priests, you are those candles in the midst of darkness through your perseverance. We’ll light the churches with those candles,” he said, reminding them that we are all anointed at baptism and confirmation, but they were anointed in a special way at ordination.
Speaking to the nine transitional deacons who will be ordained to the priesthood next month, the bishop recalled the note passed onto the man who provided the donkey for Jesus to ride into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. It simply said, “The Master has need of it.” He told them and the priests, “We are those donkeys. The Master has need of you.”
“Thank you for your love of the Church, your passion for your faith and for your ministry. God blesses what you do because God is good all the time and all the time God is good,” he added.
After Mass, representatives from parishes were able to obtain the holy oils that will be used during the coming year for sacramental purposes.
Holy Week continues with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, which will be celebrated by Bishop Perez at 7 p.m. on Holy Thursday, April 18.
On Good Friday, April 19, the bishop will participate in the Good Friday procession beginning at noon at Sagrada Familia Church, 7719 Detroit Ave., Cleveland. He will walk with the group to St. Colman Church, 2027 W. 65th St., Cleveland, and then return to the cathedral, where he will be the celebrant and homilist at the Good Friday Passion of the Lord at 3 p.m. This solemn liturgy commemorates the passion and death of Jesus and will include adoration of the cross.
Bishop Perez will be the celebrant and homilist at the Easter Vigil at 8:30 p.m. on Holy Saturday, April 20, at the cathedral. This liturgy has four components: service of light (blessing of the fire and lighting of the paschal candle), Liturgy of the Word, Liturgy of Baptism and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
After a reflective and intense period of prayer during Lent, the elect (those who have not been baptized) and candidates (those who will make a profession of faith in the Catholic Church and receive the sacraments of confirmation and Eucharist) will become full members of the Catholic Church. These sacraments of initiation also are celebrated at parishes throughout the diocese on this night.
The resurrection of the Lord will be celebrated on Easter Sunday, April 21. Masses will be at 8 and 10:30 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.
The elderly and infirm who are unable to attend Mass on Easter Sunday can watch Bishop Perez celebrate the weekly diocesan television Mass at 6 a.m. on Fox 8.
Click HERE to review the Holy Week schedule at the cathedral, including confession times.
