Annual Chrism Mass unites priests and faithful across Charlotte diocese

‘This is the Church, and its foundation is firm’

CHARLOTTE — Early on Tuesday, the sun streaming through the stained-glass windows of St. Patrick Cathedral, large jars of oil were placed on marble pedestals before the altar. At first nothing more than simple vessels of olive oil, they would soon become something sacred: holy oils to strengthen and unite the people of the Diocese of Charlotte.

The annual Chrism Mass – so named because it is when the sacramental oils are prepared that churches will use over the next year – also brings together hundreds of priests from 92 parishes across western North Carolina to renew their priestly promises to the Church and their bishop.

“The Chrism Mass is a public manifestation of the local Church,” said Father John Putnam, the diocese’s judicial vicar. “When priests gather around their bishop and renew their priestly promises, and before the faithful, they recommit themselves to the work of Christ. It’s a joyous time to come together for fraternity, but also to celebrate all the good things God does through the sacraments of the Church.”

Bishop Peter Jugis presided over the Mass April 4 at St. Patrick Cathedral, with nearly every priest from the diocese concelebrating in a moment of powerful prayer and unity.

“It is a joy to come together and gather to celebrate the Holy Eucharist and to renew our vows,” Bishop Peter Jugis told the priests during his homily. “But there is an added benefit to this celebration, as we strengthen the bond of our priestly brotherhood, and strengthen the communion of the whole Body of the Church.”

“Beyond uniting ourselves to the altar of Christ, and to our daily sacrifice of our priestly mission, we are also uniting ourselves to the whole Body of the Church. This is a very special inspiration to the faithful of the diocese. They see their leaders, shepherds and pastors renew their promises to their vocation, and this serves to lift up and inspire them in their own vocations to Christ,” he continued.

Among those on the altar concelebrating the Chrism Mass were Monsignor Patrick Winslow, vicar general and chancellor, Father Putnam, Benedictine Abbot Placid Solari of Belmont Abbey, and Father Christopher Roux, rector and pastor of the cathedral.

The priests of the diocese renewed their promises as hundreds of people watched. Then, visibly demonstrating their unity with the bishop and the Church, the priests all stood during the blessing of the sacred chrism with their right hands extended – joining Bishop Jugis in the prayer of consecration.

The chrism is a mixture of oil of olives and balsam. These holy oils blessed at the Chrism Mass are used in the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and anointing of the sick, as well as for ordination of priests and consecration of churches and altars.

“It is a fortifying and strengthening of the whole Church, which is very important,” Bishop Jugis told his fellow priests. “Especially in these times when the faithful are so challenged by the secular culture and its values which are often at odds with the Gospel. The presence of so many priests, gathered as one body, speaks to the whole Church of the strength and solidity of the Church.”

At the end of Mass, Bishop Jugis concluded by honoring priests celebrating milestone anniversaries of their ordinations. With the renewal of promises, Bishop Jugis concluded with an uplifting, powerful reminder to priests that “it tells the faithful and the whole Body of the Church, in a very strong way, that the Church is here. The Church is a firm foundation.”

— Spencer K.M. Brown. Photos by Troy Hull and James Sarkis