Father John’s Message

Fr. John Gerritts  |   

24 March 2024

As I sit down to write this article, I have just returned from Superior. Father Dan, Father Virgil (retired priest who lives in Hudson), and I traveled to Superior Sunday afternoon and have spent the past two days there. Each year during the week prior to Holy Week, the priests of our diocese gather in Superior for an assembly which concludes with the annual Chrism Mass. The Chrism Mass is the Mass at which the bishop blesses the Oil of the Sick and the Oil of Catechumens. He also consecrates the Sacred Chrism. Traditionally this Mass is celebrated in the morning on Holy Thursday. Since it would be difficult for the priests to travel to Superior and then return in time to celebrate the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, many years ago the Bishop of Superior moved the Mass to the week prior to Holy Week. This tradition continues today. To drive from some of our parishes to Superior takes more than four hours.

The Oil of the Sick is used to anoint and bless those who are sick. We read in the Letter of Saint James, “Is there anyone sick among you? He should ask for the priests of the church. They in turn are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the Name of the Lord. This prayer uttered in faith will reclaim the one who is ill, and the Lord will restore him to health. If he has committed any sins, forgiveness will be his” (Jas 5:14-15).

The Oil of Catechumens is used during the Sacrament of Baptism. Just before one is baptized, he or she is anointed with the Oil of Catechumens and the priest or deacon baptizing the individual prays, “We anoint you with the oil of salvation in the name of Christ our Savior; may He strengthen you with His power, who lives and reigns forever and ever.” This anointing and prayer provide the individual with the grace or gifts and strength needed so the person can be freed from the bondage of the past (including original sin) and overcome the opposition of the devil so that he or she may profess faith in Jesus Christ, come to the waters of baptism, and live as a child of God.

Holy Chrism is a mixture of olive oil and balsam, an aromatic resin. This oil is used in the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and holy orders, since they impart an indelible sacramental character. In simple terms, the individual receiving one of these sacraments takes on a new nature. As a result, the oil is said to be consecrated, rather than blessed. Notice the same word is used for what happens with the bread and wine at the time of the Eucharist. It is not simply blessed but consecrated. We also refer to it simply as the “Sacred Chrism” rather than the “Oil of Chrism”, to reflect its changed nature. With the oil to be consecrated, the bishop breathes over the vessel of chrism, a gesture which affects both the Holy Spirit coming down to consecrate this oil, and the life-giving, sanctifying nature of the character of the sacraments for which it is used. (Recall how our Lord “breathed” on the apostles on the night of Easter, saying, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” (Jn 20:22)).

The Oils and Sacred Chrism are received by individuals from each parish in our diocese at the end of the Mass. They are then presented to the parish at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday.

Prior to the Mass the priests join for an assembly. This is a chance for us to pray together, celebrate Mass on Monday morning together, and join for a reconciliation service and celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation individually. We also have a speaker who usually speaks on a topic that may help us prepare for our celebration of Holy Week, hear from our Bishop about current topics affecting our Diocese, and spend time socializing with one another. On Monday evening we have a banquet when we honor those priests who have retired in the past year and any priest celebrating a 25th or 50th anniversary of ordination.

While it is always hard to be away from our parishes, especially this close to Holy Week, this is a time most of us look forward to each year. It is a chance to pray together, offer fraternal support to one another, laugh together, and learn. But now it is time to get back to ministry in the parish and prepare for Holy Week. I hope that you are preparing for this week as well. The most important preparation at this point is to make sure you have the times marked on your calendar for the various liturgies that happen this week, the most important week of the Church year.

Would you like the Church bulletin delivered right to your email inbox?

Click on the “Subscribe” button.

Type in your email and name.
Click “Subscribe” and never miss out on any parish news.

When our weekly bulletin posts to LPI, it will be delivered right to your email inbox, typically on Thursdays.