On Wednesday 01 April, Bishop Nicholas Hudson celebrated the Chrism Mass at Plymouth Cathedral, joined by clergy and parishioners from across the Diocese of Plymouth.
At the Mass, traditionally held during Holy Week, the sacred Holy Oils used in the Sacraments of Holy Orders, Baptism, Confirmation, and Anointing of the Sick were consecrated and blessed. These are then distributed to the parishes across the diocese for use over the coming year. Bishop Nicholas said “What is unique to this Mass is that it’s from this place that is borne to each of those churches blessed and consecrated oil for priests and deacons to anoint Christ’s priestly people – almost immediately in the Baptism and Reception of New Catholics on Holy Saturday night – and continually through the year.”
During the Mass, our priests renewed their vows of commitment to priestly service. The Mass provided an opportunity to show appreciation and gratitude to our priests for their tireless service.
Bishop Nicholas encouraged us all to think of the Chrism Mass as “a day for each one of us to renew our commitment to Christ. It’s a day to own the fact that each one of us who’s been baptised has been endowed with a unique charism with which to contribute to the building up of the Kingdom, to the building up of Christ’s Body, the Church. It’s a day to unite ourselves more deeply to His sacrifice on Calvary.”
You can watch a recording of the Chrism Mass here.