April 7, 2010

Faithful, clerics fill cathedral for chrism Mass

By John Gleason

It’s a Holy Week tradition that points to the new life and joy of Easter.

An overflow crowd joined more than 150 priests at the annual chrism Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception March 30.  The joyous liturgy included the blessing of sacred oils and renewal of priestly promises.

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., was the main celebrant of the Mass. Concelebrants included Denver Auxiliary Bishop James D. Conley and Bishop Joseph F. Martino, retired bishop of the Diocese of Scranton and now professor at St. John Vianney and Redemptoris Mater seminaries in Denver.

Seated among the congregation were students from several Catholic grade schools who are to be confirmed this year.  At the offertory, the gifts were brought up by student representatives of All Souls, St. Catherine of Siena, Shrine of St. Anne and St. Pius X schools.

During the Mass, the archbishop blessed holy chrism, oil of catechumens and oil of the sick.  Chrism is used for baptism, confirmation and in the ordination of priests and bishops.  The oil of catechumens is used in baptism and the oil of the sick is used in the anointing of the sick.

So many people were in attendance that the archbishop invited many of the schoolchildren to sit on the sanctuary steps so as to make more room in the pews for those who were unable to find a seat.

“The crowd gets bigger every year,” the archbishop said. He drew laughter when he added, “Soon we may need a bigger cathedral.”

Preceding the blessing of the holy oils, the priests in attendance stood to renew their commitment to priestly service.  That it is the Year for Priests made this year’s renewal of promises particularly stirring.

“My brothers,” the archbishop said, “today we celebrate the memory of the first Eucharist, which our Lord Jesus Christ shared with his apostles and with us his call to the priestly service of his Church. Now, in the presence of your archbishop and God’s holy people, are you ready to renew your own dedication to Christ as priests of his new covenant?”

“I am,” the priests responded as one.

Archbishop Chaput then asked the priests if they were resolved to try to become more like Christ by sacrificing their own pleasure and ambition, to celebrate the sacraments with devotion and to teach the Christian faith for the well-being of the people they serve.

“I am,” the priests responded together.

Are you resolved to be faithful ministers of the mysteries of God, to celebrate the Eucharist and the other liturgical services with sincere devotion?” the archbishop asked.

Again, the group answered in unison, “I am.”

Following the liturgy, Msgr. Edward Buelt, pastor of Our Lady of Loreto Parish in Foxfield and chairman of the Presbyteral Council, recognized 15 jubilarians.

Priests who are marking 50 years of ordination this year are: Father Robert Meznar and Dominican Father Patrick Rearden.

Marking 40 years of priesthood are: Archbishop Chaput, Bishop Joseph Martino, Trappist Abbott Joseph Boyle, Msgr. Robert Amundsen, Father John Grabrian, Msgr. Robert Kinkel, Redemptorist Father Robert Halter, Jesuit Father Michael Sheeran and Jesuit Father Walter Watson.

Four priests are celebrating 25 years of priesthood: Auxiliary Bishop Conley, Father Philip Denig, Father Chrysostom Frank and Fraternity of St. Peter Father James Jackson.

“We thank them for their partnership with Peter and the ministry they have carried out faithfully over many years,” Msgr. Buelt said. “We honor them for their communion with the Lord, who has bestowed on them what they themselves could never achieve.”