on For the first time in three years, priests, deacons and Catholics from throughout the diocese filled the Cathedral of St. Thomas More for the April 14 Chrism Mass, traditionally celebrated on Holy Thursday by the bishop.
“Our cathedral today clearly represents that we are united in faith as God’s holy people and as a diocesan family,” Bishop Michael F. Burbidge said at the beginning of Mass. “We are also united in prayer for peace. For peace in Ukraine and throughout the world, and the end of all violence and division.”
The Mass was last celebrated in a filled cathedral in 2019. Due to the pandemic, the 2020 Mass was celebrated Oct. 5 and only for priests. Last year, seating was limited.
Sami Jo Rezzo came with her husband and in-laws. The newlywed was blown away by Bishop Burbidge’s message and the Mass itself.
“You can feel the love that he has for his priests and he is just so proud of his spiritual children,” said Rezzo, a parishioner of St. John the Beloved Church in McLean.
Allan Palacios Chan, with a voice reminiscent of the Irish tenor Ronan Tynan, was the cantor. His tone helped harken attendees to a time before COVID-19 when churches were filled not only with those in prayer but with joyful voices. Both he and the various lectors alternated between English and Spanish for the songs and readings.
Part of the significance of the Chrism Mass is to gather priests from throughout the diocese — this year more than 200 — to the cathedral to celebrate Mass and to renew their vows.
“My dear brother priests, allow me to take a moment to thank all of you for the many powerful ways you bring Jesus to our diocese and to all those you serve,” Bishop Burbidge said near the beginning of his homily.
He then asked the priests to commit to do three things this year: make a consistent effort to have a daily holy hour, work hard at teaching the faith so others see and believe the true presence in the Eucharist, and to “find new, creative and, most especially, personal ways to invite others back to full active participation at Mass in person each week.”
Bishop Burbidge also used his homily to talk about the 2023 Synod of Bishops. In preparation for it, Pope Francis has asked bishops to call for parish-level listening sessions across each diocese with regular Massgoers as well as those who are no longer active in the faith to ask how well the church is journeying together to fulfill its mission in the world. The listening sessions are expected to conclude this month.
“One of the first questions asked in the listening sessions is, ‘How can we as a diocese, as a parish, effectively bring Jesus to a world that is hurting?’ One parishioner summarized his response in three words: Listening, being and imitating,” Bishop Burbidge recounted.
He also thanked those who have helped Catholic Charities and other organizations fulfill their mission to help everyone including the unborn, refugees, inmates and the lonely.
“Thank you for the countless ways you respond to this call,” he said.
Later in the Mass, Bishop Burbidge blessed the large urns of oil: the oil for the holy Chrism, the oil of the sick and the oil for catechumens. The oil was later poured into flagons for the priests to bring back to their parishes, where it will be used in various sacramental rites, including baptisms, confirmations and anointing of the sick.
The Mass was not just for those in religious life. Two students from Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria brought up the gifts. Rows were filled with members of numerous organizations including the Knights of Columbus, Knights of Peter Claver and the Ladies Auxiliary and the Order of Malta.
After processing out with the priests and deacons, Bishop Burbidge spent time talking to attendees, even taking selfies with some.
Rezzo, who went up to Bishop Burbidge and thanked him for the Mass, said it was an honor to attend and she hoped to come back for future Chrism Masses.
“We wanted to give (my in-laws) the full Arlington diocese experience and this was a truly beautiful celebration,” she said.
Shaffrey is a freelancer in Alexandria.
This story was updated.
