Once a year, in every diocese across the world, the Bishop celebrates a special Mass along with the priests and deacons who are currently residing or exercising their ministry within his diocese. According to the practice in the Diocese of Rome, the Mass of Chrism (the name of this special liturgy) is celebrated in the early morning of Holy Thursday, but each individual bishop can decide to celebrate this special Mass at another suitable time.
In the past, the Mass of Chrism was always celebrated at the Pro-Cathedral of the Assumption, but in recent years, the location of this celebration has changed locales from year to year. While at one time, the day chosen for this diocesan liturgy was always Tuesday of Holy Week, but having consulted with the priests of the diocese, the bishop decided some years ago to move the day for this Mass to Thursday prior to the beginning of Holy Week.
This past Thursday saw the most recent celebration. Since this diocese covers a territory of about 1200km, with three sectors and two official languages, this diocesan gathering has a particularly local feel. At the beginning of the Mass, one of the First Nations elders conducts a smudging ceremony which is integrated as part of the Penitential Act. The language of the liturgy flows from French to English and back again. Knowing that not all participants are bilingual, a worship aid (otherwise known as a programme) is provided. Inside, the texts of the liturgy are printed (in English when they are pronounced in French, and vice versa).
This is one of only a very few dioceses which has a Diocesan Coordinator of Liturgical Music, and he assembles a choir specifically for such celebrations. Accented by the music of an oboe, a piano and an organ, this group guides the assembly in some very prayerful moments, befitting of such a significant occasion.
Two aspects of this liturgy characterise this particular occasion: the renewal of promises to serve the diocese, uttered by the priests and bishop(s), and the blessing of oils (Oil of Catechumens, used during the celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism; Oil of the Infirmed, used for the anointing of the sick; and Sacred Chrism, used during the celebration of Baptisms, Ordinatons and for the consecration of new places of worship) which will be used for the sacramental life of the local Church.
At the completion of the liturgy, the newly-consecrated oils are transported to all corners of the diocese, where they will be used in all parishes for the next year.
In the past, the Mass of Chrism was always celebrated at the Pro-Cathedral of the Assumption, but in recent years, the location of this celebration has changed locales from year to year. While at one time, the day chosen for this diocesan liturgy was always Tuesday of Holy Week, but having consulted with the priests of the diocese, the bishop decided some years ago to move the day for this Mass to Thursday prior to the beginning of Holy Week.
This past Thursday saw the most recent celebration. Since this diocese covers a territory of about 1200km, with three sectors and two official languages, this diocesan gathering has a particularly local feel. At the beginning of the Mass, one of the First Nations elders conducts a smudging ceremony which is integrated as part of the Penitential Act. The language of the liturgy flows from French to English and back again. Knowing that not all participants are bilingual, a worship aid (otherwise known as a programme) is provided. Inside, the texts of the liturgy are printed (in English when they are pronounced in French, and vice versa).
This is one of only a very few dioceses which has a Diocesan Coordinator of Liturgical Music, and he assembles a choir specifically for such celebrations. Accented by the music of an oboe, a piano and an organ, this group guides the assembly in some very prayerful moments, befitting of such a significant occasion.
Two aspects of this liturgy characterise this particular occasion: the renewal of promises to serve the diocese, uttered by the priests and bishop(s), and the blessing of oils (Oil of Catechumens, used during the celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism; Oil of the Infirmed, used for the anointing of the sick; and Sacred Chrism, used during the celebration of Baptisms, Ordinatons and for the consecration of new places of worship) which will be used for the sacramental life of the local Church.
At the completion of the liturgy, the newly-consecrated oils are transported to all corners of the diocese, where they will be used in all parishes for the next year.
No comments:
Post a Comment