During Chrism Mass on April 4, 2023, several women from Holy Spirit Parish in Bowling Green process up the aisle for the Presentation of the Gifts. Chrism Mass in the Diocese of Owensboro is held at the Owensboro Sportscenter in order to have space for all of the faithful who attend from across the region. RACHEL HALL | WKC
Source & Summit: Chrism Mass
(The faithful) taking part in the Eucharistic sacrifice, which is the source and summit of the whole Christian life, offer the Divine Victim to God, and themselves along with it.
-The Second Vatican Council fathers in Lumen Gentium, #11
Source & Summit is a feature of The Western Kentucky Catholic online, celebrating the National Eucharistic Revival: Year of Parish Revival. Intended to help Catholics of our parishes to probe the riches of our liturgical year and celebrate the liturgy well, the column will always start with the Bible readings for the Mass of the Day to help us reflect on, and help to “unpack” and expand our experiences at liturgy into the domestic church (the home) and the workplace.
Sunday reflections will be based on the Lord’s Day, the Liturgy, the Eucharist, and, occasionally, community.
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Chrism Mass
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032813-chrism-mass.cfm
Isaiah 61:1—31, 6a, 8b—9
Psalm 89:21—22, 25, 27
Revelation 1:5—8
Luke 4:16—21
The Chrism Mass tradition dates back to the late 5th century, but the practice of a separate Mass from the Holy Thursday evening Mass was instituted by Pope Pius XII in the late 20th century. The Chrism Mass is to be celebrated during Holy Week before the Holy Thursday Mass where the oils are carried in. During the Chrism Mass, the bishop blesses the Oil of Catechumens and the Oil of the Sick and consecrates the Chrism. Representatives from each parish are invited to receive the oils to take back to their parish, and these oils will be used throughout the year for the sacraments.
In the Diocese of Owensboro, we are fortunate to host Chrism Mass at the Owensboro Sportscenter that is large enough to seat anyone who would like to attend. This is a unique time for the faithful from across our diocese to gather to pray and enter more deeply into Holy Week. From there we go forth to our own parishes where we live sacramental lives. While for the rest of the year we are not all gathered as one like we are at the Chrism Mass, we are united in our faith and through the oils that were blessed by our bishop and poured from the same jars and Spirit. For in the sacraments, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon [us].” (Is 61:1)
Chrism Mass will take place Tuesday, March 26 at 6:30 p.m. at the Owensboro Sportscenter.
-Riley Greif
Riley Greif is the digital media specialist in the Office of Communications.
To learn more about the Diocese of Owensboro’s celebration of the National Eucharistic Revival, visit https://owensborodiocese.org/eucharistic-revival/.
