About this Event

At 3:30 PM on Tuesday, March 26, Saint Paul the Apostle will be hosting the Chrism Mass. The priests, deacons, seminarians, and religious of the diocese will be at the Mass, celebrated by the Most Rev. Earl K. Fernandes. 

The faithful of the Diocese of Columbus are invited to attend.  

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What is the Chrism Mass? 

“The Chrism Mass, which [the Bishop] concelebrates with Priests from various regions of the diocese and during which he consecrates the sacred Chrism and blesses the other oils, is among the principal manifestations of the fullness of the Bishop's Priesthood and is considered to be a sign of the close bond of the Priests with him. For it is with the sacred Chrism consecrated by the Bishop that the newly baptized are anointed and those to be confirmed are signed. It is with the Oil of Catechumens that catechumens are prepared and disposed for Baptism. Finally it is with the Oil of the Sick that those who are ill are comforted in their infirmity.”
— The Order of Blessing the Oil of Catechumens and of the Sick and of Consecrating the Chrism (OBO), no. 1 

The Chrism Mass is a diocesan liturgy celebrated each year, either on the morning of Holy Thursday or, in most cases, anticipated earlier during Holy Week. The Bishop of the Diocese blesses the Oil of Catechumens & the Oil of the Sick and consecrates the Oil of Sacred Chrism, which are distributed to parishes for use in the sacraments throughout the year. Additionally, all the priests of the Diocese renew their priestly promises to their Bishop. 

For more on why the Chrism Mass is important, read this article on the Chrism Mass from Aleteia and this homily from Pope Benedict XVI. 

As you prepare to enter into the mysteries of Holy Week, pray for our priests of the Diocese of Columbus as they renew their priestly promises to Bishop Fernandes, as well as for all those who will be anointed with these holy oils this year.

“May this oil be the Chrism of salvation for those born again of water and the Holy Spirit, and may it make them partakers of eternal life and sharers of heavenly glory.”
— from the prayer of Consecration of the Chrism, OBO