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TIME CHANGE for Mass of Chrism
Wednesday March 19 at 2:00 pm
(St. John’s) The Mass of Chrism originally planned for Tuesday, March 18 at the Basilica Cathedral has been moved to Wednesday, March 19 at 2:00 p.m.
The change in time was necessitated because a major storm system is preparing to do battle with the island. Mr. Frank Doyle from the Basilica Cathedral Parish said that the storm is anticipated to drop up to 50 cm of snow. Mr. Doyle said that because the system will persist well into Tuesday it was decided to move the mass to Wednesday afternoon.
It is hoped that parishioners from every parish in the Archdiocese of St. John’s will participate the first mass of Chrism celebrated by Archbishop Martin Currie since his appointment as Archbishop of St. John’s.
The Mass of Chrism held at the Basilica - Cathedral Parish of St. John the Baptist traditionally brings together priests and laity from throughout the Archdiocese.
The celebration is one of the most important liturgical events of the year. It is during this celebration that the ‘sacred oils’ that are used in celebrating the sacraments in all of the parishes of the Archdiocese are blessed.
In recent years the Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission responsible for the liturgical life in the Archdiocese has given particular emphasis to this celebration. Parish representatives from every parish in the Archdiocese are encouraged to attend the celebration on behalf of their parish and to receive the oils which are then presented in their home parishes in another celebration at a later date.
The change in the time of the Mass of Chrism was also driven by the Archdiocesan Liturgical Commissions desire allow for the priests in the Archdiocese the time to travel to St. John’s from their respective parishes.
It is during this ceremony, that the priests renew their priestly commitment, renewing their dedication to the service of the Church. Archbishop Currie is hoping that every priest in the Archdiocese will be available for this important celebration.
Following the renewal of their priestly commitment all gathered in the Church will be invited to extend their hands in a blessing over the priests and bishop.
The other important liturgical actions in the celebration are the blessings of the sacred oils and chrism that have great symbolic, sacramental and liturgical significance in the church.
The oils that are blessed during the celebration are: the Oil of the Sick, the Oil of Catechumens and the Chrism.
Immediately following the afternoon celebration a reception will be hosted in the Basilica Cathedral Library and Museum giving an opportunity for parishioners from throughout the Archdiocese to meet and speak with Archbishop Currie.
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