Chrism Mass countdown

In two weeks, at the annual Chrism Mass, the oils to be used in sacramental celebrations at Easter and throughout the coming year will be blessed by Archbishop Sartain. This is also a special celebration because it is at this Mass where Archbishop Sartain consecrates the Sacred Chrism, where he not only prays the words of blessing, but breathes over the oil, an ancient gesture that recalls God’s spirit breathed into creation.

All are welcome to attend this Mass on Thursday, March 21^st at 7:00pm at St. James Cathedral.

In the meantime enjoy the behind the scenes look at the oil preparations. Maybe next year I'll take pictures at Calvary Cemetery where we pour all of the old holy oils into a plot near the deceased priests' section.

[Thanks to a few good deacons (Roy Harrington, Sam Basta, Dennis Kelley, and Craig Lundberg) taking time yesterday to set-up tables, clean the glass vessels, unpack boxes, and discover a secret to drying out these vessels overnight, we are almost ready for the Chrism Mass.]