Oils used in Church rites blessed by bishop at annual Chrism Mass

METUCHEN — Keeping their parish family intact in a pandemic, reawakening their faith and encouraging them to draw strength from their parish home is a tall order, admitted Bishop James F. Checchio to his priests during a socially-distant Chrism Mass celebrated March 30 at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi. But, the bishop added, they must remember what gives them strength — each other.
 

“We were designed to need one another, and we were sent to do His work, not as ‘Lone Rangers,’ but as a presbyterate,” the bishop said. “The saving work of his redemption is accomplished through our frail human hands. This Chrism Mass is a profound renewal of all that we are and all that we are called to be as his priests.”
 

Pews usually filled with hundreds of priests, deacons and laity for the annual Mass were nearly empty because of COVID-19 restrictions, but despite the reduction in numbers, Bishop Checchio’s joy at seeing so many of his priests at once filled the room.   
 

“This is the first time as a presbyterate that we’ve been together in too long,” he said. “This past year has brought a hunger for our liturgical life together. Virtual gatherings have been a blessing, but there is nothing that replaces personal presence.”
 

Calling the priests seated before him “God’s chosen instruments,” Bishop Checchio reminded them their focus should be not upon the challenges of the current day, but upon the future of their parish.
 

“Reflecting on reopening is a profound spiritual responsibility for us, it must occupy a place in our hearts,” he stated. “Our task is not to get back to normal, but something much more profound: how do we get back to better?”
 

Modern technology can assist a parish in connecting with its people, but busy parents and teens who “live their lives on their cellphones” present a special challenge.
 

“Where can we meet them virtually so that we can lead them effectively to a commitment to a life of faith in our Church?” the bishop asked. “We must reimagine how we can contact their hearts. Many of them were spiritually adrift, some had one foot out the door before the pandemic.
 

“They are still part of our flock and must be the special object of our prayers and pastoral efforts,” he continued. “How do we go searching after that missing one? We cannot wait for them to come to us, we must be men on the move for the sake of souls. That is what is at stake.”

Reliance upon Our Lady of Guadalupe, whose apparition to St. Juan Diego prompted nine million Mexicans to come to the faith, as well as prayer and recitation of the rosary will help imbue the priests with their upcoming outreach, Bishop Checchio asserted. So will self-examination.
 

“This is a unique time in our own lives as priests to review what we have learned about ourselves,” the bishop said. “How has our friendship with Christ deepened, or has it? Has your zeal for ministry grown or dimmed in this time?”
 

Rely on the Cross, Bishop Checchio advised the presbyterate, and added, “Our Lord always awaits us. You and I have been mysteriously chosen to make him sacramentally present to our people, right now, 2021, even in the midst of a pandemic to build up his kingdom in the Church of Metuchen.

“God has not forgotten us. He loves us more than we can know, and has chosen us for work beyond our measure,” the bishop concluded. “Let us joyfully say ‘yes’ once again from the depths of our hearts.”
 

After his homily, Bishop Checchio addressed the clergy once again as they stood to reaffirm their priestly vows. He noted that the Chrism Mass marked the anniversary when Christ had conferred his priesthood on his apostles, then asked 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?”
 

To each question, the priests replied as one, “I am.”
 

The rite, which gives the Chrism Mass its name, is the blessing of three distinct oils by the bishop. The traditional procession was omitted in this pandemic year; the Oil of the Sick, to be used on the infirm during the sacrament of the anointing of the sick, was consecrated during the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
 

The Oil of Catechumens, used to baptize new Catholics, and the Sacred Chrism 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 — rested upon tables in the sanctuary.
 

To consecrate the Chrism, Bishop Checchio poured a sweet-smelling balm perfume into the olive oil, then breathed over it. He invited his fellow priests to extend their right hands in blessing and asked God to fill the chrism with the power of the Holy Spirit. The oils were taken back to each parish in the diocese for use throughout this liturgical year.