I cordially invite you to our Archdiocesan Chrism Mass that will be held on Tuesday of Holy Week at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help at 6:00 p.m. If you plan to participate in the Mass, please arrive at least one hour early, since the pews fill up very quickly. During the Chrism Mass, Archbishop Coakley will bless the following holy oils: ● Oil of the Sick ● Oil of Catechumens ● Sacred Chrism Whenever the Holy Oils are used in our archdiocese, the ministry of Archbishop Coakley will be symbolically present. The Chrism Mass reminds us of our oneness in Christ through Baptism and its holy anointing, made possible by the ministry of the archbishop and his priests. The Chrism Mass is also a key moment in which the unity of the archbishop with his priests (together, they form the presbyterate) is manifested and renewed. During the liturgy, the deacons and priests will renew their vow of obedience to the local archbishop and their commitment to serve God’s people. At the end of the Chrism Mass, the Holy Oils are brought back to parishes of the archdiocese for use in the coming year. The following statement from the Second Vatican Council can help us understand the significance of the Chrism Mass for the Church: The bishop is to be considered as the High Priest of his flock from whom the life in Christ of his faithful is in some way derived and upon whom it in some way depends. Therefore, all should hold in the greatest esteem the liturgical life of the diocese centered around the bishop, especially in his cathedral church. They must be convinced that the principal manifestation of the Church consists in the full, active participation of all God's holy people in the same liturgical celebrations, especially in the same Eucharist, in one prayer, at one altar, at which the bishop presides, surrounded by his college of priests and by his ministers (Second Vatican Council. Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy; Sacrosanctum Concilium, No. 41). The Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Vigil/Sunday): I cordially invite you to participate in the Sacred Liturgies during the Triduum. By so doing, we walk with Christ from the Last Supper to His Resurrection, which manifested His Glorious Triumph over death. Come; let us experience what Christ has accomplished for us! Sincerely your brother in Christ, Fr. Joe