The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist was nearly filled on April 15 as Bishop Edward Malesic celebrated the annual chrism Mass. The solemn liturgy included the blessing of sacred oils that will be used for sacramental purposes throughout the eight-county Diocese of Cleveland this year. It also marked the annual renewal of priestly promises for members of the presbyterate ministering throughout the diocese.
Hundreds of priests and deacons attended the Mass, including six newly ordained transitional deacons, eight transitional deacons who are anticipating priestly ordination next month, three men anticipating ordination to the permanent diaconate next month, men in diaconate formation and diocesan seminarians. Seated on the altar with the bishop were Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost, retired Auxiliary Bishop Roger Gries, OSB, Bishop Martin Amos, retired bishop of Davenport, Iowa and diocesan vicars and deans. In addition, congregational leaders Abbot Gary Hoover, OSB and Father John Thomas Lane, SSS, were seated near the bishop.
Members of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, the Knights of Columbus and Knights of Peter Claver were seated in the front of the congregation. Also in attendance were religious women, consecrated men and women and hundreds of faithful from across the diocese. Many others watched the liturgy as it was livestreamed.
(See photo gallery above.)
As he greeted the faithful, Bishop Malesic called the Mass an opportunity for “a spiritual oil change,” referring to the blessing and distribution of oils used for sacramental purposes. He blessed the oil of the sick just after the mystery of faith (prior to Communion). The oil of catechumens and sacred chrism were blessed after Communion.
The bishop poured chrism into large vessels of olive oil, stirred it and breathed over the vessel as he blessed the oil of catechumens.
After Mass, seminarians dispensed the sacred oils to representatives of parishes throughout the diocese so they could be used during the year.
“I am happy to be with all of you as we replenish the spiritual toolbox used by our clergy, the oils used in four of our sacraments: baptism, confirmation, holy orders and anointing of the sick,” the bishop said in his homily.
He recalled the Rite of Election during which more than 400 adults and others older than 7 were presented to him by their catechists, sponsors and pastors. The crowd was so large the liturgy took place at Public Auditorium rather than the cathedral. He called the desire of these people to join the Church through baptism “great news for us. The great number of people who will be baptized at the Easter Vigil this Saturday night should inspire us to treasure what we have received: baptism, the doorway to the sacraments, and Christ, the light of the world.”
The second oil blessed – the oil of the sick – is also part of what the bishop called “the spiritual toolbox of our priests and a sign of the Lord’s care for us and our loved ones in need.” This sacred oil will be used in homes, hospitals and other care facilities where the Lord is asked to apply his healing balm of comfort, he said.
The final oil blessed is the oil of chrism, after which the Mass is named. “It takes center stage at today’s Mass,” the bishop said. “It is an oil of sealing, strengthening and consecrating.”
He explained this oil seals the gift of the Holy Spirit for infants after they are baptized. Chrism also seals and strengthens those who are confirmed with the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. “It consecrates us or sets us apart as God’s chosen people who share in Christ’s priestly, prophetic and kingly ministry,” Bishop Malesic added.
In addition to the large number of people who will be baptized at the Easter Vigil, the bishop said there is good news with next month’s eight priestly ordinations, during which the hands of the ordinandi will be anointed with the newly consecrated sacred chrism.
He also referred to his pastoral letter, released in December, that calls for the faithful to worship, evangelize and perform service. He said we can learn about these three things from those in the early Church who took part in the breaking of the bread (worship, as we do at Mass), listening to the apostles and proclaiming what they heard (evangelization) and caring for the needs of all (service).
“The oils we bless and the oils we consecrate today will help us to worship God first and foremost, strengthen us with the Holy Spirit to be evangelists who courageously proclaim Jesus as the Messiah, and energize us to serve those in need by giving drink to the thirsty, food to the hungry, clothing to the needy and generous welcome to the stranger,” he said. “May we never reject Christ who is present in those who seek our help. If we fail to recognize him in the poor, we will fail to recognize him in this Eucharist we now celebrate.”
The bishop said another purpose of the chrism Mass is the priests. The Mass “is meant to strengthen the bond of unity between all of you, as a presbyterate, and me, as your bishop. Today is the answer to the Lord’s prayer that we might all be one.”
Referring to the priests, Bishop Malesic said, “We have a wonderful ministry, a unified presbyterate and hard-working men who face the challenges of priestly life every day. Let me assure you that I am happy to be a priest of this great Diocese of Cleveland and its eight counties. And I am blessed to be your bishop.”
He cautioned that the devil amplifies the voices of those who oppose the work of the Church as much as he tries to mute the voices of those who support and love it. “So, I ask you to let the Holy Spirit amplify the voices of those who say to you, ‘Father, we need you. Father, we appreciate you. Father, we love you.’ Hear that loud and clear tonight and hear that loud and clear from me tonight.”
The bishop said Pope St. John Paul II said that without priests, there is no Eucharist. And Pope Francis said that without the Eucharist, there is no Church.
“Without you, there is no Eucharist. Without you, there is no Church. Thank you for being our priests. And thank you for being my brothers,” the bishop said to his fellow priests.
Click here to view the livestreamed chrism Mass on demand.