Monthly Newspaper • DIOCESE OF BRIDGEPORT

TRUMBULL– At this morning’s Chrism Mass, when priests renewed their priestly vows, Bishop Frank J. Caggiano thanked them for ministering generously and unselfishly during the challenging and difficult past two years.

During the Mass at St. Theresa Church in Trumbull, the Bishop blessed the oils and consecrated the sacred chrism which is used in sacraments throughout the year.

“I am grateful for how you have strengthened people in times of great need, and only God knows how many ways you have stood before your people. Thank you for being agents of healing and faithful to your ministry. You have accompanied those with broken lives, and you have become a vehicle of the Holy,” the bishop said to more than two hundred priests, deacons and religious who gathered for the Mass.

Noting that Holy Thursday is “the birthday of the priesthood,” the bishop thanked the many priests who participated in Reconciliation Monday, some of whom heard Confessions for up to seven consecutive hours earlier this week. “We are the unworthy vessels of healing that comes through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.”

“All of the Church is grateful for all that you do. My prayer for you, my dear brothers, is that you all are encouraged this morning, as we pray that Christ blesses and consecrates you and me, and heals us both.”

The bishop noted that the Triduum begins at sunset today, Holy Thursday, when the Church celebrates the great mystery of the Lord’s passion, death, and resurrection.

“This is the day Christ gave us the priesthood and the Eucharist that you and I are called to share. None of us is worthy. None of us earned it,” said the bishop, as he spoke personally to the priests after the Gospel reading.

The bishop began the Chrism Mass homily by reflecting on the role of olive oil in the ancient world. He said that in addition to being regarded for its strong source of nutrition, olive oil was also used for healing wounds and protecting the skin as people labored in the fields.

The bishop said that the “Holy Mother, The Church” transforms the natural elements of this world into vessels of the Holy Spirit, so that oil derived from olives becomes the “sacred Chrism” (oil and balsam) used in the sacraments throughout the year

He added that the sacred oils will be used this evening to strengthen the catechumens who will be welcomed into full communion with the church this evening in parishes throughout the diocese during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper.

The oils he blessed during chrism Mass bless and heal the sick, not just physically but spiritually. They are also meant to protect us from the “disorder of our desires and the disharmony of our lives,” the bishop said.

The sacred oils blessed at the Chrism Mass are used in the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Orders. “How blessed we are to ask God’s blessing of this simple substance that bring such tremendous grace,” he added.

The Chrism Mass celebrates the communion of the Church and the bond of unity between priests and the bishop.

In the renewal of priestly promises following the Gospel, the Bishop asked, ”Beloved sons, on the anniversary of that day when Christ our Lord conferred his priesthood on his Apostles and on us, are you resolved to renew, in the presence of God’s holy people, the promises you once made?”

“I am,” answered the 200 priests in unison who stood before him.

The Presentation of the Oils was performed by the Knights and Dames of Malta and the Knights and Dames of the Holy Sepulchre. Diocesan seminarians acted as altar servers.

Dr. William Atwood, Cathedral Organist and Director of the diocesan Music Ministry, led the schola and liturgical musicians.

Deacons of the Mass were Rev. Mr. Gerald Lambert, Fr. Mr. Colin Lomnitzer, and Rev Mr. Anh Vu.Deacon Patrick Toole and Mr. Carlos Mesquita serves as Master of Ceremonies.

Chrism Masses are traditionally celebrated during Holy Week or on the morning of Holy Thursday.

Joining the bishop to concelebrate the Chrism Mass were Msgr. Thomas V. Powers, Vicar General; Fr. Arthur Mollenhauer, Judicial Vicar; Fr. Robert Kinnally, Chancellor; Fr. Brian Gannon, Pastor of St. Theresa Parish; Fr. Juan Gabriel Acosta, Vice Chancellor and Rector, St. Augustine Cathedral Church; Fr. Francis Hoffmann, Vicar of Clergy; Fr. Peter Lenox, Vicar for Liturgy and Worship; Fr. Marco Pacciana, Rector, Redemptoris Mater Seminary; Fr. Michael Clark, Rector, Oratory of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and Rector, Guild of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus; Fr. Joseph Marcello, Director of Seminarian Formation and pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Trumbull; and Fr. Christopher Ford, Vocations Director.

Deacons of the Mass were Rev. Mr. Gerald Lambert; Rev. Mr. Colin Lomnitzer, and Rev. Mr. Anh Vu. Deacon Patrick Toole and Mr. Carlos Mesquita served as Master of Ceremonies.

Dr. William Atwood, Cathedral Organist and Director of the Diocesan Music Ministry led the schola and liturgical musicians.

Following Mass, the holy oils that were consecrated on the altar were distributed to priests who will use them in their parishes when blessing the sick and in the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation.

Photos by Amy Mortensen