What is the Chrism Mass?

The Holy Oils
The Mass takes its name from the oil of Chrism, one of the three types of oil used in the sacraments of the Church. These oils are displayed in the Cathedral’s south transept throughout the year. There are three oils:

The oil of catechumens - this is used to anoint people just before they are baptised. In ancient times athletes would rub oil into their bodies to prevent them being injured in training or competition. We use this oil to ask God to prevent us falling by the wayside in our spiritual life. It asks for God’s help as we try to live our lives of faith. The anointing is accompanied by a prayer of exorcism, in which we ask to be protected from evil.

The oil of Chrism - this oil is described as ‘consecrated’, rather than ‘blessed’. It is used in several sacraments. At the baptism of infants the newlybaptised are anointed on the head with Chrism as a sign of their new dignity as members of the Church. In confirmation the candidates are anointed with oil as the Bishop (or priest) says, “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Chrism is used to anoint the hands of a newly-ordained priest and the head of a newlyordained
bishop.

The oil of the sick - this is used to anoint those who are seriously ill (either with an acute or chronic illness), those who have become frail through old age, those going for surgery and those who are close to death. In each case the ill person is called to unite their sufferings to those of the Lord. The Church asks that they may be given healing, strength to live with illness or the grace they need to pass from this life to the next.

The oils are blessed each with their own prayer. They begin as ordinary olive oil. Balsam - a sweet-smelling perfume from the bark of trees - is added to the oil of Chrism.

The Holy Oils are blessed at the Chrism Mass. Any remaining oil from the previous year is burned, and new supplies are distributed to all the parishes of the Diocese. In this way they become a sign of our unity: people old and young, ill and in good health, priest and lay person, in Carlisle, Preston, Blackpool, Barrow... all are anointed with oil blessed or consecrated at the same Mass. The oils are also a sign of our unity with the Lord. The word ‘Christ’ means ‘anointed one’; therefore whenever we are anointed with oil in His name, we are called to unite ourselves with Him and to become more like Him. The annual renewal of the oils heralds the renewal of many of the things we use in our churches. Within a few days all things will be made new. The water in the font and holy water stoups is replaced at the Easter Vigil, as is the Paschal Candle. Even the Tabernacle is emptied, so that the Lord’s presence in the Eucharist comes from the celebration of an Easter Mass.

The renewal of priestly commitment
The Chrism Mass is the one annual event to which all the priests of the Diocese are asked to come. At this Mass they renew their commitment to serving God and His people. Maundy Thursday is chosen because it was on this day that the Lord instituted the priesthood. At the Last Supper, when He said, “Do this in memory of me”, He gave the priesthood as a gift so that the Apostles and every generation that would follow can obey His command.

At the Chrism Mass we may also think of the worldwide unity of the Church. The Pope celebrates the Chrism Mass at the Lateran Basilica of St John, the Cathedral Church of Rome. In every other diocese of the world, this Mass is celebrated in Holy Week. In every part of the world the holy oils are renewed
ready for another year in which God will visit His people in the sacraments.