Hundreds of priests from the Diocese of Brooklyn joined Bishop Robert Brennan for the annual chrism Mass at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph on March 31. A long-standing tradition in the Catholic Church, the chrism Mass marks the time a bishop consecrates the chrism oil and blesses the other oils used by priests for baptisms, confirmations, the anointing of the sick, and other rituals throughout the year.
Especially in a Jubilee Year, but also every day, priests are called to continual conversion so that they can authentically preach the good news of hope, Pope Francis wrote in the homily he prepared for the Holy Thursday chrism Mass.
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.
In a tradition that is a familiar part of Holy Week, hundreds of Diocese of Brooklyn priests will gather with Bishop Robert Brennan at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph in Prospect Heights for the annual Chrism Mass on April 15.
The sacred oils that priests in the Diocese of Brooklyn use to administer sacraments will be blessed by Bishop Robert Brennan at a Holy Week Mass at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph in Prospect Heights on Tuesday, March 26.
Bishop Robert Brennan delivered a strong message of faith to hundreds of priests at the annual chrism Mass on Tuesday, April 4, calling on the assembled clergy to become even closer to Jesus Christ than they are now and to urge all Catholics to do the same.
The chrism Mass — one of the most solemn services of the liturgical calendar — is expected to bring Catholic clergy, laity, and other faithful to the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph Tuesday night.
In the life of every Christian, but especially of priests, God’s love and forgiveness are the greatest rewards, and any attempt to seek one’s own glory plays into the hands of the devil, Pope Francis said.
For the first time since the start of the pandemic in 2020, the annual Chrism Mass drew a full congregation Tuesday of priests, deacons, nuns, seminarians, and laity. With no COVID restrictions, the Mass at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph was Bishop Brennan’s first time to celebrate the annual event in the Diocese of Brooklyn.
The Chrism Mass, one of the most solemn services of the liturgical calendar, is tonight at 7:30 p.m. It is expected to bring more than 650 Catholic clergy, laity, and other faithful tonight to the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph.
