Oils blessed and consecrated, priests celebrated at Chrism Mass

During the annual Chrism Mass, archdiocesan priests renewed their vows, while Archbishop George J. Lucas blessed and consecrated oils to be used in sacraments at parishes in the coming year.

The Chrism Mass, held Monday, March 25, at St. Cecilia Cathedral in Omaha, is a Holy Week tradition.

During the ceremony, the oil of the sick and the oil of catechumens were blessed by the archbishop. The oil of the sick is used in anointings to help the sick gain strength, be released from fear and be consoled by faith. The oil of catechumens is used in Baptism to provide strength to renounce sin and the glamour of evil.

The oil of holy chrism, a mixture of oil and fragrant perfume, was consecrated by the archbishop and is to be used in the sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Orders. “All anointed with it in the splendor of holiness will shine on the world,” according to the rite.

All three oils are signs of God’s favor, especially in difficult times, and facilitate an encounter with God, Archbishop Lucas said in his homily.

Dozens of priests concelebrated the Mass with Archbishop Lucas. He prayed that his brother priests be renewed by the Holy Spirit.

Archbishop Emeritus Elden Francis Curtiss has been part of numerous Chrism Masses during his more than 65 years as a priest, Archbishop Lucas noted in his homily.

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