Eucharist is Christ, Bishop reminds faithful at Chrism Mass

Reminding his brother clergy of the joy and responsibility in serving the people of the Diocese of Metuchen, Bishop James F. Checchio addressed the priests seated before him in Metuchen’s Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi during the March 26 Chrism Mass.

“Jesus has chosen someone to feed the crowds, to shepherd them,” the Bishop said, “and my brothers, by God’s grace and your ‘yes,’ that’s you and me.”

Hundreds of faithful filled the worship space of the Cathedral for the Mass during which 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 a trip with friends to Milan to see Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece: the painting of the Last Supper. The holy visage of Jesus was calm, despite the knowledge that one of his disciples intended to betray him.

“In this dark night, during that last supper, Jesus gives us a great gift,” said the Bishop. “He could not bear to leave us. He stays with us and gives us the Eucharist.”

Turning to address the clergy, he continued, “Think, for a moment, all the Masses you have celebrated. Mamma mia, it’s a lot. Jesus gave us many commandments; one commandment has been massively followed up and down the centuries: ‘Do this in memory of me,’ and so we have.”

Bishop Checchio reminded the congregation that the Church is celebrating a Eucharistic Revival this year, and the Eucharist is Christ: body, blood, soul and divinity. Priests are blessed to be the ones who offer Mass daily and to bring Jesus in such an intimate way to themselves and their people.

“Receiving Jesus in the Eucharist is like breathing for us – totally essential each day,” Bishop Checchio said. “We celebrate the Eucharist because we truly believe we enter into communion with the living Lord, not following a dead man or the memory of a great moral teacher, but the living, saving, loving Son of God.

“Christ simply could not bear to leave us alone,” the Bishop concluded. “How our people need the welcoming, uplifting, devout and fulfilling experience of Christ.”

At the conclusion of the homily, the bishop invited the priests to stand and reaffirm the vows 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.”

Bishop Checchio then addressed the congregation, imploring them to “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,” beseeched the Bishop, “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 an additive of fragrance which becomes Sacred Chrism. Chrism is 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 are divided into smaller jars which are distributed to all the parishes of the Diocese.