Bishop consecrates, blesses sacred oils at Chrism Mass

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
Posted April 10, 2003

Three sacred oils used in the sacraments of the Catholic Church were blessed by Bishop Daniel N. DiNardo during the Chrism Mass on April 8 at Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City.

In opening comments, the bishop said, "Today we will consecrate the Sacred Oil of Chrism and bless the Oil of the Sick and the Oil of Catechumens. The Chrism is used to anoint the newly baptized, to seal the candidates for confirmation and to anoint the hands of priests and the heads of bishops at their ordinations."

He explained that the Oil of the Sick is used to give comfort and healing to the infirm and the Oil of Catechumens is used in preparation of infant and adult catechumens before their baptism.

"God uses oil, born from the earth, and God uses us, reborn through the waters of baptism, to be instruments of salvation," said the bishop.

In the homily, Bishop DiNardo said that the Chrism Mass - a once a year event - was crucial to the life of the diocese, theologically.

"Toward the end of this liturgy today, as I consecrate the Chrism, the priests who are present will stretch out their hands toward the holy oil just as they stretch out their hands in blessings, as they stretch out their hand over someone who is receiving the sacrament of reconciliation, as they stretch out their hands over someone who is sick and, ultimately, as they stretch out their hands over the bread and wine that is to be the body and blood of Christ," he said. "It is the sign of the invocation of the Holy Spirit."

This act, the bishop noted, is not a sign of power. Rather, it is a humble act of supplication and recognition "that there are shepherds of the church. I am grateful to our priests. I am grateful for their ministry."

He told them that St. Leo the Great, the pope from around 440 to 460 A.D., once said to the clergy in Rome that whatever Jesus did in his life on earth has now passed into the sacramental life of the church.

"Whatever we are going to do that is worthy, and so much we do is worthy - in education, in outreach, in care for the poor - whatever it is that we do, it's origin is always in the sacramenta of the church," said Bishop DiNardo.

The bishop pointed out that through Christ's death and resurrection, "the mission of Jesus has become ours."

Before they were baptized, he said, everyone received a brief anointing on their chest. This is a sign of struggle, a sign of combat. However, the bishop added, it is a happy struggle.

"When we mark our bodies, the oil will eventually slip away but the significance of what internally is our confrontation and joyful battle for our true faith is in fact given and upheld," said Bishop DiNardo.

He pointed out that toward the end of the Eucharistic prayer, the Oil of the Sick would be blessed. This was a symbol that the sick were at the heart of the church.

"The Anointing of the Sick is a sacrament of comfort, assurance and support," said Bishop DiNardo. "There are many of you here who help by visiting the sick, and I thank you for that. I hope all parishes have a system worked out so there is no one in the parish who feels isolated or alone."

The bishop also explained that the Chrism - placed on newly baptized and those who are confirmed as well as on priests and bishops at their ordinations - is a sign that they have a mission.

"Chrism is a sign of mission," he said. "It is a sign that we are marked. I like to tell confirmation candidates that on the day you are confirmed you are signed, sealed and delivered. You are an open letter to all."

He asked the people to pray for the priests, the seminarians and for new vocations to the priesthood. He expressed gratitude to the Serra Club that prayed for and affirmed vocations as well as the Carmelites for their commitment to prayers for vocations. He also thanked the deacons and lay people involved in parish ministries.

Following the homily, Bishop DiNardo led a Renewal of Commitment to Priestly Service.

"My brothers and sisters, pray for your priests. Ask the Lord to bless them with the fullness of his love, to help them be faithful members of Christ the High Priest, so that they will be able to lead you to him, the fountain of salvation," the bishop said.

Deacons served as gift-bearers for the liturgy. They carried up the three oils along with the balsam (perfume), bread and wine.

The Oil of the Sick was blessed by the bishop during the Eucharistic Prayer. He led the Rite of Blessing of the Oil of Catechumens and Consecration of the sacred Chrism after Communion.

After blessing the Oil of Catechumens, the bishop then mixed the perfume into the Chrism and prayed. Next, he breathed into the vessel and asked God to fill it with the power of the Holy Spirit.

Members of the chancery staff helped package and distribute the oils to parish representatives on hand for the liturgy from parishes throughout the diocese.