Chrism Mass

April 15, 2006

Clergy,
religious,
laity join
in Chrism
Mass

By Herald staff

Bishop William K. Weigand incenses the oil of chrism..
Cathy Joyce/
Herald photo

Several hundred clergy, religious and laity gathered April 6 in the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Sacramento for the annual Chrism Mass.

Bishop William K. Weigand presided at the Mass, with Auxiliary Bishop Richard J. Garcia as concelebrant, joined by the priests of the diocese to pray for God’s continued blessings on the local church of Sacramento.

Father Loreto Rojas, pastor of St. Isidore Parish in Yuba City and guest homilist, told those gathered that “as members of the one mystical body of Christ, you and I become sacraments – signs and symbols – instruments of proclaiming to the world that God is indeed in our midst and visible in our faces.”

He added, “We all exercise our common priesthood by bearing witness to the love of God in our everyday world,” he said. “We do this through our service – by giving voice to our faith.”

During the liturgy, Bishop Weigand asked the priests in service in the diocese to renew their commitment to Christ, his people and the church. The bishop then asked the assembly, as representatives of the whole church of Sacramento, to pray for their priests.

The bishop also asked the permanent deacons in service to the diocese to renew their commitment to the service of the Gospel and the church.

As a recognition of pastoral ministries, the bishop acknowledged those who support the mission of the local church, including religious women and men, deacons’ wives, seminarians, teachers and catechists, those who minister to the sick, and all who assist in the preparation and celebration of the liturgy.

Bishop Weigand blessed the holy oils which are used in sacramental celebrations in all parishes of the diocese throughout the coming year.

He consecrated the oil of chrism, with which women and men are anointed as God’s priestly people at baptism and confirmation, and men are anointed in their ordination to the priesthood.

He also blessed the oil used for anointing those in need of healing in the sacrament of the sick, and the oil of catechumens.