Cathedral jam packed for Chrism Mass

Nearly every priest in the Diocese of Corpus Christi joined Bishop Mulvey to celebrate the Chrism Mass on March 26. Alfredo E. Cardenas, South Texas Catholic

The Corpus Christi Cathedral was filled with priests, religious and lay faithful during the Chrism Mass on Tuesday, March 26. The Cathedral resonated with liturgical music from the Cathedral Choir as a procession of Knights of Columbus, Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulchre, representatives of various ministries, deacons, priests and Bishop Wm. Michael Mulvey made its approach to the altar.

Nearly every priest in the Diocese of Corpus Christi was present and concelebrated the Mass with Bishop Mulvey. Traditionally, priests renew their commitment to priestly service at the Mass.

After the bishop’s homily, the priests resolved to “renew, in the presence of the bishop and God’s holy people, the promises” they made at their ordinations; to be “more united with the Lord Jesus;” and to be “faithful stewards of the mysteries of God in the Holy Eucharist and other liturgical rites.”

The lay faithful present, meanwhile, promised to pray for the priests and the bishop that they may be faithful to the trust placed on them.

In his homily, Bishop Mulvey said to the priests that they should serve “everybody, the baptized and the unbaptized, the church going and the non-church going.”

“Take a special look at the those that are not close to the Church,” Bishop Mulvey said, reminding the priests of Jesus’ parable about the one lost sheep. (Lk 15:3-7)

He told the laity that the priests were there to serve them. The “ministerial priests” are charged with administering the sacraments.

Bishop Mulvey breathes over the vessel of Chrism oil, symbolizing the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the oil to be consecrated. Alfredo E. Cardenas, South Texas Catholic

“You are in the front lines in our society that is undergoing so much change, you are the face of Christ in the workplace, in the schools, in factories and in hospitals,” Bishop Mulvey said, explaining to the laity that they were part of the “royal priesthood.”

He said, every member of the Church is in on a journey, a pilgrimage together. Like in any journey, they will encounter good days and bad days. “Days when we are full of life in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and days we forget, and yet we are still pilgrims together. It is not us and you,” he said to the laity, “it is all of us together.”

Bishop Mulvey said the greatest challenge the Church faces is to be people of the Gospel. “We must live the gospel,” he said, “taking what we can from the Gospel and living it in our daily lives.”

“The Word of God guides us through our journey of faith,” Bishop Mulvey said. He said Jesus is present as much in the Word as He is in the Eucharist.

Bishop Mulvey reminded the faithful that Pope Francis has called us to obey Jesus’ commandment in the Gospel of John; “I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (Jn 13:34-35)

The Holy Father challenges us, the bishop said, not to be in opposition to each other; certainly to oppose positions and ideologies that are counter to Catholic teaching, but never to oppose the persons holding those positions. “We must build bridges to others,” Bishop Mulvey said.
This commandment from Jesus is endangered by the “spiritual poverty” that has infected many sectors of society. This infestation of spiritual poverty is prevalent even in rich nations, such as ours, the bishop said.

Knights of Columbus stand guard as Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulchre process into Cathedral. Alfredo E. Cardenas, South Texas Catholic

“We must exist together as a people of God,” Bishop Mulvey said. “My brothers and sisters, we have a task in front of us, to be the voice and hands of Jesus Christ today.”

After the homily, deacons brought in the sacred oils one at a time. First came the oil of the sick. The bishop blessed the oil asking the Lord to strengthen all who are ill, to free them from pain and heal them and that those anointed share in the suffering of Christ for the good of the Church.

Then came the oil of catechumens. This oil is used as a blessing and strengthening oil for those preparing for Baptism.

Finally the Sacred Chrism was brought forward. The bishop mixed the balsam and olive oil before consecrating it as Chrism. This fragranced oil is used for anointing during the celebration of the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Ordination. Chrism is also used in the rites of anointing pertaining to the dedication of new churches and altars.

Before consecrating the Chrism, the bishop breathed over the vessel of oil, symbolizing the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the oil to be consecrated.

In a gesture of concelebration, all of the priests held their right hands extended toward the Chrism as the bishop prayed.

At the conclusion of the Mass, Msgr. Michael Heras, Vicar of the Centennial Jubilee, commented on the official close of the yearlong celebration commemorating the 100th anniversary of the diocese.

“Tonight we close a season of grace and opportunity for spiritual growth in this Year of Faith,” Msgr. Heras said. “A Century of Tradition, A lifetime of Faith has been our inspiration as we remembered, rejoiced and renewed our pastoral life in light of the New Evangelization.”

Msgr. Heras extended his appreciation to everyone for helping make the Centennial Jubilee a great success.