Celebrating Our Faith

Holy Week in the Diocese of Richmond began in fine form on Monday night at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart with the celebration of the Chrism Mass. About 130 priests, dozens of deacons, and approximately 800 lay people were in attendance as Bishop Knestout performed the annual blessing of holy oils. These oils, including the holy chrism, oil of catechumens, and oil of the sick, are blessed and consecrated, signifying their sacred use in baptism, confirmation, holy orders, and other sacraments. The Chrism Mass also serves as a time for priests to renew their priestly vows and to manifest their unity with the bishop.

The Chrism Mass is special liturgy to begin with, but the number of priests and deacons attending exceeded what we have seen since before Covid and added to the beauty and reverence of the evening. Many of them traveled from far distances for the Mass, which tells you just how special an evening it was and how important it was to them to participate.

This is a week of special Masses, to be sure, and as you observe Holy week and begin the Easter Season, I hope you feel the power of Jesus’ love and sacrifice.

God Bless,

Margaret

Margaret Keightley
Executive Director
Catholic Community Foundation of the Diocese of Richmond