Chrism Mass reaffirms God ‘sees the good in us’

“Jesus saw the good in his apostles, not what was missing,” Bishop James F. Checchio reminded the congregation seated before him in the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi for the April 15 Diocese of Metuchen Chrism Mass. “The same is true for us: God sees the good in us… He sees a reflection of himself in us and loves us. What a blessing.”

Hundreds of faithful were in attendance to witness the Mass where clergy renew their priestly promises and sacramental oils are blessed and distributed. Laity, religious, deacons, seminarians and parish representatives served as joyful witnesses to the annual faith-filled liturgy. Bishop Checchio served as principal celebrant and homilist, with priests of the Diocese concelebrating.

In his homily, Bishop Checchio recalled his nearly 20 years of study and service in Rome, including as a seminarian, student priest and work with men in formation for the priesthood. One of the art history professors, the Bishop recounted, usually ended his tours of the Vatican museums and cathedrals with a visit to the Belvedere Torso by Apollonus of Athens, an ancient Greek sculpture consisting solely of a marble torso.

“The students would develop a keen eye for art,” Bishop Checchio said, “but would only describe the missing parts of the statue. The professor would interrupt them, saying, ‘What IS there is the most important thing.’”

He reminded his listeners that the Holy Father had asked for the Church to observe a Jubilee of Hope, saying, “This is our task: to see one another as God’s beloved sons and daughters, to see the good and not what is missing.”

The Bishop concluded, “The Eucharist is the most important thing in our lives to help us to love. As we renew our priestly promises, ask for him to let us always see what God sees in us, not what is missing… I am grateful to be on this pilgrimage of hope.”

Addressing the scores of priests – some new to the fold, others more seasoned – all vested in white, Bishop Checchio invited them to stand and reaffirm the vows they first uttered at their ordination. Asking them if they were “resolved to be more united with the Lord Jesus and closely conformed to him… to be faithful stewards of the mysteries of God… to discharge faithfully the sacred office of teaching… moved only by zeal for souls,” the priests replied as one, “I am.”

Then addressing the congregation, Bishop Checchio asked they “pray for your priests that the Lord may pour out his gifts abundantly upon them and keep them faithful as ministers of Christ, the High Priest, so that they may lead you to him, the source of salvation. Pray also for me,” he continued, “that I may be faithful to the apostolic office entrusted to me in my lowliness.”

“Christ, hear us, Christ, graciously hear us,” the faithful responded.

Traditionally scheduled at the start of Holy Week, the annual Chrism Mass is the occasion when three vessels of oils are blessed and consecrated: the Oil of the Sick, to be used during the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick; the Oil of Catechumens, used to baptize new Catholics, and the oil with which the addition of fragrance becomes Sacred Chrism. That Chrism will be used to anoint the heads of the newly baptized and confirmed, the hands of a priest at his ordination, and the altar and walls of new churches. The large vessels of oils and Chrism blessed at the Cathedral are divided into smaller jars and distributed to all the parishes of the Diocese.