Chrism Mass
On April 15, Bishop John McDermott celebrated his first Chrism Mass, along with many priests from across the diocese.
In attendance were representatives of several religious orders, including the Benedictines, the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa, and the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist; fraternal and chivalric orders, namely the Knights of Columbus, the Order of the Holy Sepulcher, and the Catholic Daughters of the Americas; and students from many of Vermont’s Catholic schools, including the choir from Rice Memorial High School.
At a Chrism Mass, two oils are blessed – the Oil of Catechumens, used for baptisms and confirmations, and the Oil of the Sick, used for the anointing of the sick. Additionally, one oil is consecrated – the Sacred Chrism, which is used in baptism as well as Holy Orders.
Holy oils have been used by the Church since at least the early 200s. From the fifth century onward, the blessing and consecration of sacred oils was included in the Mass on Holy Thursday; it became a separate Mass, known today as the Chrism Mass, following the liturgical reforms of Pope Pius XII in 1955. While the Chrism Mass is still customarily held on Holy Thursday, it is often moved to another day during Holy Week as a matter of practicality. The Diocese of Burlington, for example, has often celebrated the Chrism Mass on the Tuesday of Holy Week.
