United in Jesus for their ministry

It is always a highlight: on the Tuesday of Holy Week, just before the most important liturgies of the year, Bishop Mulvey blesses the Holy Oils and consecrates the Chrism that will be used for the sacraments throughout the year. All the priests join him to renew their priestly promises.

Accompanied by festive music, the priests and deacons entered Corpus Christi Cathedral this year for the first time at 10 am, making it easier for priests from parishes farther away to participate. More than 70 priests and 15 deacons gathered for this special Mass. 

In his homily, Bishop Mulvey emphasized that every Catholic participates in the royal priesthood — “we are the eyes, the ears, and the hands of Christ.” He stated that the Holy Oils and the Chrism are intended to accompany us throughout our lives, helping us to embody Christ in the world today. Every candidate for baptism receives the sign of the cross on the chest to reinforce their desire to follow Christ. The Holy Oil for the Anointing of the Sick brings healing to those who bear the cross. The Sacred Chrism, the most precious of all the oils in the Church, affirms our dignity when we are anointed with this oil at baptism.

Bishop Mulvey mentioned the soon-to-be saint Carlos Acutis: “In 15 days, a young man will be made a saint.” Quoting Carlo, he said, “When we forget God and forget asking for His help, we risk focusing too much on ourselves and our problems.” Instead, we are called to “give our lives to God.” 

Toward his brother priests, the Bishop said, “You are anointed to preach His Gospel- not yours, not the popular ideology, but Christ.” The priestly vocation is to be consecrated, to live “heroic charity, not mere mediocrity.” 

In their Renewal of the Priestly Promises, the priests pledged to “be more united with the Lord Jesus and more closely conformed to Him” to faithfully fulfill the sacred office of teaching, following Christ the Head and Shepherd, “not seeking any gain, but moved only by the zeal for souls.” The bishop expressed gratitude to the priests and deacons for their commitment and all that they were doing.

After the solemn Mass, priests and faithful gathered in St. Joseph Hall for a reception