By Michael F. Flach
Herald Editor
(From the issue of 4/15/04)

Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde delivered a message of hope to clergy and laity at the Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More. More than 100 priests and a standing-room only crowd gathered for the annual service.

"We must be a people of hope — hope rooted in Christ Jesus, in His Gospel and in His cross," said the bishop. "We must be people of hope because we have been anointed and sealed in order to proclaim the good news of Christ.

"Each of us has been anointed in the Holy Spirit, first at baptism, then at confirmation," he said.

During the Chrism Mass, the bishop and priests renew their priestly vows first made at ordination. The bishop also blesses the oils for sacramental use throughout the diocese during the coming year.

Bishop Loverde said the oils blessed during the Chrism Mass are tangible signs of hope. "The oil of the sick heals them in body, soul and spirit. The oil of catechumens gives wisdom and strength to all anointed in preparation for their baptism."

The bishop then delivered a special message to his brother priests. "Dear brothers in the priesthood, we must be men of hope."

He said the Holy Father considers the bishops heralds of hope and servants of the Gospel for the hope of the world.

"You, too, united with me, are intended to be heralds of hope par excellence," Bishop Loverde said. "Our preaching should speak to the weary a word that will rouse them. Preach and teach in a way that will give encouragement."

Through the sacraments of penance and Holy Eucharist we experience genuine hope, he said. "Is not our pastoral love and service of God’s holy people a sign of hope?

"Through our personal holiness of life we allow the Lord to transform us through His grace," he said. "Soon we will recommit ourselves to priestly service. May our hope be strengthened as we reach out to the Lord Jesus, Who chose us to be His priests, the servants of salvation.

"I entrust you to our Blessed Lady," Bishop Loverde told the priests. "May she keep us close to her Son Jesus, so, united with Him, you and I may be faithful servants of the Gospel, especially for this diocesan church for whom we gladly give our lives today, tomorrow and always. Amen."

The bishop also recalled the memory of Bishop John R. Keating, second bishop of Arlington, who died March 22, 1998, and the late Msgr. James W. McMurtrie, former pastor of St. Agnes Parish in Arlington, who died Oct. 22, 2003.

The Right Rev. Robert T. Barnes, O.C.S.O., abbot of the Trappist Monastery in Berryville, and Msgr. R. Roy Cosby, diocesan vicar general, were among the priests who concelebrated the Mass. Permanent Deacon Samuel Taub assisted at the altar.

On Holy Thursday morning, Bishop Loverde and diocesan seminarians prepared breakfast for the priests at St. Thomas More School cafeteria. This annual tradition, sponsored by the Vocations Office, was started a few years ago to help bring the two groups closer together.