March 25, 2026

By Father William Muench
NCC columnist

The Chrism Mass: each year, I like reminding you all about the Chrism Mass as we get closer to Holy Week. I really like the celebration of the Chrism Mass each year. So, let me remind you: All the priests of our diocese join with Bishop Terry R. LaValley for a Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Ogdensburg. This Chrism Mass is a unique opportunity for our bishop to speak to all the priests. There was a time when the Chrism Mass was celebrated as part of the Holy Thursday liturgies. Now the Chrism Mass is celebrated on day that is more convenient for the priests to travel to the cathedral.

The Chrism Mass includes a special blessing ceremony for the sacred oils that will be used for the sacramental ceremonies in each parish of the diocese.

For holy oils, there is the Oil of the Catechumens – this sacred oil is used during the conferral of Baptism – and the Oil of the Anointing of the Sick –oil for anointing for those who are near death and those suffering from serious illness or other such problems.

Then the Holy Chrism. This oil is consecrated for use at baptisms, for the ordination of a priest and for the ordination of a bishop.

Each priest at the Chrism Mass takes some of each sacramental oil back to their parish to be used in the celebration of the sacraments during the coming year. This is rather symbolic. Our bishop send out the blessed oils to each parish, and he is then connected with all the parishes and is a part of the celebration of every sacrament there. Through these blessed oils, the bishop unites himself and demonstrates support with every parish.

Another important part of the Chrism Mass is that each priest renews his priestly promises in the presence of his bishop. This year I would like to share with you my renewal of these promises right here. This will be my personal opportunity for my own renewal with God and with you. These are the promises I and all priests make on the day of ordination as a priest. Here are the actual words of the ritual for renewal:

“I am resolved to be more united with the Lord Jesus and more conformed to him, denying myself, I confirm these promises about my sacred duties toward Christ’s Church, which, prompted by love of him, I willingly and joyfully pledged on the day of my priestly ordination.”

“I am resolved to be a faithful steward of the mysteries of God in the Holy Eucharist and the other liturgical rites ad to discharge faithfully the sacred office of teaching, following Christ, the Head and Shepherd, not seeking any gain, but moved only by zeal for souls.”

At the Chrism Mass, our bishop then turns to the people – present and at home in their parishes – asking them to pray for their priests. In addition, the bishop asks for prayers for himself so that he will exercise his office as Bishop, so he will live and be an image of the Lord Jesus, the Good Shepherd.

I want to take this opportunity to encourage you to pray for me and all priests, especially your pastors, the priests of our Diocese of Ogdensburg, and those priests you have come to know over the years.