RALEIGH, N.C. — Priests, deacons, women religious and laity gathered at Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral March 31 for Chrism Mass, one of the most solemn and significant liturgies of the Church year. Marked by prayer, sacred music and a spirit of unity, the Mass serves as a meaningful beginning to Holy Week.
Seated together in the cathedral’s Mary transept, the priests and deacons listened to their shepherd, Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama, and renewed their priestly promises, expressing their unity with him and their shared commitment to serve God’s people.
During the Mass, the bishop blessed the Oil of the Sick and the Oil of Catechumens and consecrated the Sacred Chrism, which is a mixture of olive oil and balsam. As part of the consecration, he breathed over the Chrism — an ancient gesture symbolizing the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.
In his homily, Bishop Luis reflected on the readings and the call to be instruments of God’s grace, reminding the faithful that it is Christ who works through his Church to bring the good news to the world.
He noted that “something was in the air” on that day, which was warm, windy and the final day of the month of March.
“I believe it was the Holy Spirit preparing us for what we celebrate: the freedom of the wind to blow,” he said. “To help us prepare for this celebration, we should be open to how we will allow the Spirit of the Lord to blow within us, refresh us and let us experience what we have,” he said. “The Spirit invites us to surrender ourselves … to be consumed … so that love can be purified.”
During Communion about ten volunteers, wearing aprons and working swiftly, turned the sacristy into a workshop of sorts. They took the sacred oils, bottled them for distribution and then packed the bottles into black boxes for transportation. In all, about 25 gallons of oils were prepared for parishes.
Toward the end of Mass, Father Michael Burbeck, vicar general of the diocese, invited representatives from parishes, campus ministries, missions, stations and military installations to come forward to receive the blessed oils. They approached the altar when their deaneries were called. Throughout the year, the oils will be used in sacraments such as baptism, confirmation, holy orders and anointing of the sick.
Video
Watch the Chrism Mass, which was livestreamed on YouTube.
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