The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist was filled nearly to capacity for the annual Chrism Mass on April 4. Bishop Edward Malesic was the celebrant, accompanied by Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost and Auxiliary Bishop emeritus Roger Gries.
The liturgy, one of the most beautiful in the Church, celebrates the institution of the priesthood and the renewal of priestly promises. In addition, the sacred oils used for sacramental purposes throughout the eight-county Diocese of Cleveland are blessed during the Mass and distributed to parishes afterward.
“It’s like an oil change for the Church,” the bishop quipped.
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Mild, dry weather allowed the clergy to process outside and into the cathedral. Many priests and deacons from across the diocese attended the Mass.
“It is good for us to once again be together at this Chrism Mass,” Bishop Malesic said to the congregation.
Speaking to the priests, he noted each of them has a unique story of being called to the sacramental priesthood. “None of us knew what priesthood would mean for us when we lay prostrate before the altar of sacrifice. We have a much better idea now. We follow the Lord’s call, wherever it has taken us.”
The smell of the chrism, which was used to anoint the priests’ hands at their ordination, has spread into every area of their lives, the bishop said.
“And we should also remember that the oil we use in our sacramental toolbox comes from olives that are shaken from their trees and a liquid that is pressed from their fruit,” he added. The bishop noted that sometimes priests feel that way, too, since they “can be shaken by events and squeezed by the demands of ministry.” But God gives priests the strength to imitate him in all they do, he said, expressing his thanks to his brother priests for all the hard work they do.
But it takes more than priests to form a church, Bishop Malesic said, explaining that our church is made from a diversity of cultures, races and ethnic backgrounds. “So here we are, knit together as the mystical body of Christ: the bishop with his clergy and laity, united in one faith, having been born again by one baptism, confirmed in the Spirit and worshiping the Lord.”
The bishop also reiterated that it’s Christ’s vision for the diocese that matters – not his. Guided by the Spirit, we must discern Christ’s vision for us together, he said, adding the best way to become the Church Jesus wants us to be is through the heart of Pope Francis’ call for the Synod on Synodality.
Christ’s vision includes a Church “where we love God above all things and our neighbors as ourselves; where even the stranger is welcomed, especially those who are seeking a safe shelter and a better life for themselves and their families. It embraces a vision for the world where every human life is seen as a gift from God, protected and valued, whether at its very beginnings in the womb, or at the moment of death, without reference to race, gender or creed,” the bishop said.
It also includes forgiving so we can be forgiven; baptizing, teaching, serving, sacrificing, worshiping, loving our enemies and giving thanks in all things, he added, as well as having a personal relationship with Jesus.
“The vision of Christ for his Church includes that we be like Christ ourselves,” he said, connecting it to the Chrism Mass.
“Oil has a way of seeping in and filling every available nook and cranny. And just as it oozes in, it also spreads out. This oil will flow out from this cathedral to our parishes and other ministries throughout the Diocese of Cleveland,” the bishop said.
The oils blessed during the Chrism Mass are used at baptisms, confirmations, to anoint the sick and for ordinations. Bishop Malesic recalled using chrism to consecrate Bishop Woost at his episcopal ordination last August. He also anticipates ordaining six men to the priesthood next month.
“These are the Church’s essential oils – and a blessing for all of us,” he said. “As people who have been anointed by the Holy Spirit that is transmitted by these oils, may we be the best Church that God calls us to be here in Northeast Ohio. That is the vision of Jesus for all of us. May we have eyes to see it, ears to hear it and the gifts of the spirit to proclaim it.”
The liturgy was livestreamed on the diocesan website. Click here to watch the recording.