The Holy Thursday Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of St. Thomas
More in Arlington was filled with both solemnity and joy – a
fitting precursor to the Easter Triduum.
In the annual liturgy, Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde
blessed the oil of catechumens, the oil of the sick and the
sacred chrism. From across the diocese, 162 priests gathered
to bring the newly blessed oils back to their parishes and
renew their commitment to priestly service.
In his homily, the bishop noted the Year of Consecrated Life
and asked the priests to recall their joy-filled ordination
day and how deeply they are loved.
“Despite our weaknesses … and sin,” we are in a
grace-filled time in which we can “open our hearts to
Christ’s transforming love,” he said.
Following the Mass, priests lined up in Burke Hall to receive
the blessed oils from seminarians, who carefully distributed
it into small containers.
It was a long day for Bishop Loverde. Bright and early
Thursday morning, the bishop cooked and served up breakfast
for diocesan priests. See the next issue of the Catholic
Herald for the full story, and go
here for photos.
