PROSPECT HEIGHTS — The chrism Mass, which takes place during Holy Week and is centered on a bishop consecrating the chrism oil, is also a joyful occasion for priests of the Diocese of Brooklyn, many of whom said they relished the chance to renew the vows they took at ordination.
Father Alonzo Cox, pastor of St. Martin De Porres Parish in Bedford-Stuyvesant and director of liturgy for the diocese, was one of hundreds of priests who participated in the Diocese of Brooklyn’s chrism Mass, celebrated by Bishop Robert Brennan at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph on April 15.
Father Cox said the vow renewal was a special moment.
“I remember the day that Bishop (Nicholas) DiMarzio used the chrism that he consecrated on my hands, so it’s really an opportunity for me to reflect upon my own ordination and to give thanks to God,” Father Cox, who will mark the 15th anniversary of his ordination this year, told The Tablet.
The chrism Mass is a long-standing tradition of the Catholic Church where a bishop consecrates the chrism oil and blesses other sacred oils that are used for baptisms, confirmations, anointing of the sick, and other rituals in churches throughout the year.
In a moment imbued with deep meaning, Bishop Brennan breathed into the vessel containing the chrism oil, a gesture meant to remind all of the presence of the Holy Spirit at that moment.
There is also a moment in the Mass where priests stand in unison and renew the vows of obedience to God and to their bishop that they first recited when they were ordained.
“The priests recommit themselves, make their promises,” Bishop Brennan told The Tablet. “We make our commitments, once again, to the Lord and to God’s people, to bring joy and hope.”
Traditionally, a bishop uses the chrism Mass to deliver a pep talk to his priests that they can carry with them as they perform their duties throughout the year. In his homily, Bishop Brennan sought to instill a note of unity with his priests but also expressed his admiration for them and the work they do.
“Christ invites us into his ministry. We are indeed all of us anointed,” Bishop Brennan told the clergy, adding that their hard work “inspires me every day.”
The co-cathedral was filled with 260 priests, 40 permanent deacons, 22 seminarians, several women and men religious and hundreds of lay persons for the Chrism Mass.
They were all there to witness the consecration and blessing of the oils.
Jenny Oviedo, a parishioner of Mary, Gate of Heaven Church in Ozone Park, said she was excited to be there.
“It’s a highlight of the year because it’s so amazing to see all of these people come together. Not everybody gets invited to see the blessing of these oils,” Oviedo said, adding that the rituals of the chrism Mass are deeply moving to her.
There are three holy oils the Church uses for administering sacraments and for important moments like consecrating an altar.
Chrism oil, a mixture of olive oil and balsam, is used for baptisms, confirmations, priestly ordinations, and consecrations. oil of the catechumens, which is made of olive oil, is used by priests to anoint catechumens. The oil of the sick, which is also made of olive oil, is used by a priest to anoint the sick.
In addition to the sacred rituals, the chrism Mass is one of the few times during the year when the diocese’s priests can gather in one place and they find great joy in that, said Father Christopher Heanue, rector of the co-cathedral.
“We’re so busy with our work, we don’t get a chance to see one another as often as we would like,” Father Heanue said. “So this is a chance for us to really be with each other, to be with our parishioners, representatives from our diocese, and just to celebrate the priesthood.”
