More than 1,000 people gathered for the annual Chrism Mass, celebrated by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge at All Saints Catholic Church in Manassas March 26.
The Chrism Mass takes place during Holy Week. During the Mass, Bishop Burbidge blesses the oils of the sick and catechumens and consecrates the sacred chrism. Priests from around the diocese gather to concelebrate the Mass and renew their priestly promises. The renewal of priestly promises honors the anniversary of the institution of the priesthood, celebrated during Holy Week.
Priests concelebrating the March 26 Mass included Father Stephen J. Schultz, chaplain at St. Paul VI Catholic High School in Chantilly, who is recovering from a stroke that left him in a coma last October. Bishop Emeritus Paul S. Loverde, who celebrated the 25th anniversary of his installation as the Bishop of Arlington March 25, also concelebrated.
Bishop Burbidge reminded worshippers in his homily of exciting things to come in the church, particularly the Synod on Synodality, the Eucharistic Congress and the Diocesan Golden Jubilee. He likewise reminded the faithful to remain open to the voice of the Holy Spirit.
“This requires us to open ourselves to new and creative means of teaching and evangelizing; to new ideas for creating a deeper sense of community in our parishes; to new ways in which liturgical formation, ever faithful to the teachings of the Church, may lead to greater harmony and unity; and to new opportunities to enrich the spiritual lives of those we serve,” he said. “Yes, we have a diocesan strategic plan, parish mission statements, and countless pastoral initiatives, but they are all in vain if there is not an openness to the Spirit of the Lord and a willingness to listen, to put out into the deep, and ultimately trust in his power to make all things new.”
Bishop Burbidge thanked the priests for their service to the church. “Thank you, brother priests, for the example you will soon give us as you renew your priestly promises. Today, you recall the fervor that was yours on the day you were anointed and ordained a priest and promise, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to live and serve with renewed priestly holiness, fidelity and joy,” he said.
Following the homily, the priests stood and renewed their priestly promises to serve the church, faithfully witness church teaching and reverently administer the sacraments. Bishop Burbidge then invited the faithful to “pray for your priests, that the Lord may pour out his gifts abundantly upon them, and keep them faithful as ministers of Christ, the High Priest, so that they may lead you to him.” He asked the faithful to “pray also for me, that I may be faithful to the apostolic office entrusted to me in my lowliness, and that in your midst I may be made day by day a living and more perfect image of Christ.”
Following the renewal of priestly promises, several deacons presented the bishop with flagons of oil that would become the oil of the sick and catechumens, as well as balsam, which is used in sacred chrism. Bishop Burbidge poured the oils into large urns, offered prayers over each, and blessed them.
Bishop Burbidge then poured the balsam into two large urns of oil. He mixed the chrism before breathing upon the urns. He offered a prayer of consecration over the chrism as the concelebrating priests stood and extended their right hands toward the vessels.
“May this oil be the chrism of salvation for those born again of water and the Holy Spirit, and may it make them partakers of eternal life and sharers of heavenly glory. Through Christ our Lord, amen,” he prayed.
Following Mass, priests and deacons collected containers of the blessed oils and consecrated chrism to take to their parishes.
The Chrism Mass is the second of several liturgies to be celebrated by Bishop Burbidge during Holy Week: the Mass for Palm Sunday March 24, Mass of the Lord’s Supper March 28, the Good Friday Solemn Liturgy of the Passion of Our Lord March 29, the Holy Saturday Easter Vigil March 30; and Easter Sunday Mass March 31.
This story has been updated.
