Bishop and clergy gather for Chrism Mass

Celebrating the Chrism Mass  with his brother priests at Saint Agnes Church, Our Lady of Hope Parish, Blackwood, Bishop Dennis Sullivan remarked that the annual Mass will be recorded in the annals of Camden Diocesan history.

The ancient rite was unchanged, but like so much in recent months, the celebration this year reflected the disruptions of the coronavirus.

Usually held during Holy Week, the Mass was delayed more than five months due to COVID-19 restrictions. The Mass, at which the bishop blesses the sacred oil and chrism that will be used throughout the diocese in the coming year, was held on Monday afternoon, Sept. 14. 

The normally public Mass observed current-day social distancing restrictions, with few beyond the bishop and clergy in attendance. It was livestreamed on the diocese’s social media channels.

Bishop Sullivan noted that it was appropriate that this year’s Mass was held on the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. These blessed oils and chrism, to be used in the sacraments, will be used to trace the sign of the cross on the anointed people of South Jersey.

“The cross is the sign of salvation,” the bishop said, adding that “the sacraments are the salvific presence of Christ in the here and now. The graces of salvation flow through the sacraments — they are the healing actions of the Lord.”

The oils “will be used to anoint God’s people, to make them more like Christ, to mark each person with the sign of salvation. To touch each one with the healing of Christ. To apply on human flesh the sweet aroma of the Lord Jesus.”

He expressed his “deep gratitude and … admiration” for the priests and deacons, who have continued to act as “good shepherds of the flock” and “good servants of Christ,” respectively, during the pandemic. 

In concluding his homily, Bishop Sullivan lifted up the prayers of the gathered for “the many who bear the crosses of this pandemic,” and “those who endure crosses of sickness, violence, abuse, greed, poverty, racism, trauma and unfortunate incredible natural disasters in our country.” 

“May all those who carry those crosses and many other crosses know our God, the God whom we celebrate today, who has saved all by the victory of the cross, our Lord Jesus Christ.”