The Vatican celebrated the Chrism Mass this year with the Pope Francis noticeably absent. It is during this mass and celebration that priests renew their vocational promises.
In place of Pope Francis, Cardinal Domenico Calcagno presided over the Mass and delivered the homily.
CARD. DOMENICO CALCAGNO
Dear priests, each of us has a word to fulfill. Each of us has a long-standing relationship with the word of God. We also help other to find the pages that touch their lives: such as newlyweds, when they choose the readings for their wedding; or those who are grieving and seek passages to entrust a dear one who has died . There is a page for a vocation, normally at the beginning of each of our journeys.
After the homily, the ceremony moved onto a remarkable moment of the celebration: the blessing of the oils—oils for the sick, oils for the catechumens, and the oils of the Sacred Chrism. One by one, each form of oil was blessed.
CARD. DOMENICO CALCAGNO
Pour out your holy and blessed blessing, so that all who receive this anointing may find comfort in body, soul, and spirit, and be freed from all illness, distress, and pain. May this gift of your creation become holy oil, blessed by you for us, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you forever and ever.
This is a special day for the Church as it commemorates the institution of the sacrament of Holy Orders. During the ceremony, the Sacred Chrism is consecrated, and oils are blessed that priests will use throughout the year to administer sacraments.
BAM
TR. CRT
