The Chrism Mass 2008
The annual Chrism Mass took place on Holy or Maundy Thursday, 20th March in St Mary's Cathedral.
Bishop Hugh Lindsay and the priests of the Diocese celebrate the diocesan Chrism Mass
During this diocesan mass, which Bishop Hugh Lindsay concelebrated with the priests of the diocese, the sacred oils were blessed to be used in the Sacraments throughout the diocese in the coming year, and the priests renewed their commitment to priestly service.
The Cathedral was filled completely long before mass began, as Catholics from across the diocese gathered together to join in this Celebration,and to support and pray for their priests.
Listen to Homily by Bishop Hugh Lindsay (MP3 2.57Mb)
At the start of Mass, Bishop Hugh Lindsay, Emeritus Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle, reminded those present that, although today we are meeting in the shadow of the death of our dearly beloved Bishop Kevin, " We are celebrating the gift of the priesthood and the gift of the sacraments. But further today we celebrate in the quiet of our hearts the feast of St Cuthbert, and today may I remind you also that it is 16 years ago to this morning that Bishop Ambrose was ordained Bishop here. Please remember him as well as Bishop Kevin in your prayers."
In the readings the congregation listened to the prophet Isaiah "The Lord has anointed me and sent me to bring good news to the poor and to give them the oil of gladness", and from the Apocalypse "He has made us a line of Kings, priests to serve his God and father."
The gospel was taken from St Luke, echoing the first reading: "The Spirit of the Lord has been given to me, for he has anointed me."
In is homily Bishop Lindsay said: "Today is the birthday of the priestly ministry Our Lord handed to His apostles at the Last Supper. We priests come to this Mass with the Bishop each year to celebrate this gift to the Church and to us. Part of our preparation will be to renew our dedication to our work with and for our Lord, and to our ordination promises. Our lives are demanding but happy; that is why we are ready to continue to serve as priests whilst we have the strength. Hence we pray for more young men to find their true happiness, joining us in God’s service."
Speaking about the oils Bishop Lindsay said: "Oil of the Sick strengthens us in illness and age and prepares us for death."and he added "The Oil Bishop Kevin blessed here last year was used for his own illness and dying."
About the Oil of Chrism he said: "Chrism anoints the newly baptised for their share in Christ’s priesthood and later in Confirmation. Above all, it is used to anoint new priests’ hands and the head of a new bishop. Our next Bishop may be anointed with this year’s Chrism."
After the Homily all the priests present renewed their commitment to priestly service: "Now, in the presence of your Bishop and God's holy people, are you ready to renew your own dedication to Christ as priests of the new covenant? "I am" they replied to this and futher questions read by Bishop Lindsay.
Bishop Lindsay blesses the oils
The Oils were then blessed and chrism consecrated. As the Oils were presented to the Bishop, a deacon put the vessel in place, while a lay person, representing different ministries in the church, read a prayer.
In the consecration of the Oil of Chrism, the Bishop mixed balsam with the oil and then blessed it, breathing over the oil as a sign of the Holy Spirit, the Breath of Life, inspiring all those who will be anointed with the Chrism.
The liturgy of the Eucharist followed and after the dismissal at the end of the mass the oils were solemnly carried out of the Cathedral and priests from each parish in the diocese took some oil back to their Parish for sacramental use during the coming year.
The Holy Oils for the year that have been blessed at this Chrism Mass