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Chrism Mass postponed

Catholic Herald Staff Report

Holy oils for use in sacraments across the diocese are transferred from a large vessel into vials for each parish during the 2019 Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More. JOE CASHWELL | FOR THE CATHOLIC HERALD

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Bishop Michael F. Burbidge blesses the oil during the 2019 Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington. JOE CASHWELL | FOR THE CATHOLIC HERALD

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The Arlington Diocese will postpone the celebration of this
year’s Chrism Mass until after the lifting of Virginia’s stay-at-home order now
in effect to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge
announced April 2.

The Chrism Mass will be rescheduled when all of the priests, the
chancery staff and the faithful of the diocese may be together for the
celebration.

The Chrism Mass, usually celebrated on Holy Thursday morning,
gathers the bishop with the priests of the diocese at the Cathedral of St.
Thomas More in Arlington. At that time, the three holy oils used in the
administration of the sacraments throughout the diocese for the year are
blessed. They are the oil of catechumens, the oil of the infirm and holy
chrism.

The bishop has asked that the priests participate in a Holy Hour
praying for the diocese and the end of the coronavirus at the time the Mass was
scheduled, April 9 at 10:30 a.m.

 

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