March 27, 2024

Bishop Byrne celebrates annual chrism Mass at St. Michael’s Cathedral

REGIONAL
Staff report

(iObserve photo/Mary Jeanne Tash)

SPRINGFIELD – Joined by the priests and deacons of the Diocese of Springfield, Bishop William D. Byrne celebrated the annual chrism Mass on Tuesday, March 26, at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Springfield.

The chrism Mass, which is celebrated in every diocese around the world, is traditionally held during Holy Week. During the Mass the bishop or archbishop blesses the holy oils and consecrates the holy oil of chrism. The oil of the sick is used in the sacrament of the anointing of the sick. The oil of catechumens is used in the sacrament of baptism for children and adults who take part in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) or Rite of Christian Initiation of Children (RCIC).

The holy chrism is used in the sacrament of confirmation, in the baptism of an infant, during the ordination of a priest, and the consecration of a bishop. It is also used in the consecration of a church or blessing of an altar.

“It’s an everybody celebration, that’s what makes it so big,” said Father Jonathan Reardon, the director of recruiting for the diocese’s Office of Vocations. Father Reardon also is the chaplain at Pope Francis Preparatory School in Springfield and at St. Mary High School in Westfield.

“Our sacraments are going to be celebrated throughout the course of this year with oils that are blessed at this Mass. So it unites us as the whole diocese under the banner of the sacraments,” said Father Reardon.

In addition to the blessing of the oils, the priests of the diocese renewed their vows.

“It unites us as priests to all renew our vows at the same time, whether you are just a few years ordained or 50 years ordained, we all made the same vow,” said Father Reardon. “We all made the same promises. We all serve the same bishop, the same church, the same God. So it unites generations of priests in one single ceremony; that’s really cool,” he said.

After the Mass, the oils were poured into containers for each priest to take back with him to his parish.

A video version of this story will be featured on the March 30 edition of “Real to Reel,” which airs Saturday evenings at 7 on WWLP-22NEWS.