Holy Chrism Mass 2025

The clergy, the religious and the faithful joined His Lordship Right Rev. Bishop Masela at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart to celebrate the annual Chrism Mass on Tuesday April 15. The bishop consecrated the sacred Chrism and blessed the oils of the sick and the oil of catechumens. The faithful witnessed the clergy renewing their vows and promises of obedience.

The Chrism Mass is one of the most solemn and important liturgies on the Catholic liturgical calendar.  A remarkable ceremony that takes place during the Holy week at which two holy oils are blessed and one is consecrated. Traditionally it was celebrated on Holy Thursday however, due to logistical difficulties affecting priests who serve in distant parishes and find it difficult to attend to other matters of Holy Thursday, dioceses could choose the appropriate day during the Holy week for this momentous celebration.

The Holy Mass presided by Bishop Masela was preceded by a brief Chrism Mass commentary by Rev. Vincent Sserubiri of St. Bernard parish, this enabled many congregants to understand the importance of this annual celebration.  Fr. Vincent indicated that Chrism Mass is very unique because it is during this Mass wherein the bishop consecrates the Chrism Oil and blesses the Oils of the Catechumens and the Oils of the Sick. He further explained that these oils are to be used throughout the Diocese in the following year solely in the administration of the Sacraments of: Baptism, Confirmation, Ordination and Anointing of the Sick

He concluded by expatiating  the roles of the 3 types of sacred oils to be presented to the bishop for consecration and blessing, that is, the Holy Chrism oil used for anointing during the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Orders (ordaining Priests), Two oils to be blessed by the bishop during this rite are the oil of the sick and the oil of the exorcism.

“At the conclusion of this Mass these sacred oils are sent to parishes across the diocese to be used in the coming year” concluded Fr. Vincent.

In his Homily the Bishop invited the Congregation to reaffirm its baptismal promises because this celebration of the Chrism Mass reminds us of our oneness in Christ through Baptism and its holy anointing.

Based on the prophetic words of Isaiah Bishop Masela indicated that there are two categories of priesthood i.e.  “The Common priesthood and the ministerial priesthood that are both for the beloved of God. The difference is that priests have been called to serve and are ordained, therefore we all have the three types of oils in our lives. Referring to the Psalm of the day Bishop Masela indicated that this sacred celebration is meant to strengthen the bond amongst us, to revive and give us power to be servants of love”.

Concluding his homily Bishop Masela expressed his gratitude to the priests for their work of serving God’s people in the diocese. He urged them to continue providing the people in their care with hope

He also thanked the faithful for their attendance and the continuous support they offer to their Priests