BLACKWOOD – Days before the celebration of the Sacred Triduum and Eastertide, the Catholic Church of South Jersey came together for the annual Chrism Mass at Saint Agnes Church, Our Lady of Hope Parish.
Celebrated April 15 by Bishop Joseph A. Williams, the Chrism Mass marks the communion of the priests with the bishop in the same priesthood and ministry of Jesus.
“What a beautiful day for all of us as God’s holy people. What a beautiful day for a Chrism Mass,” Bishop Williams said at the beginning of the liturgy.
PHOTO GALLERY: 2025 Chrism Mass
RELATED VIDEO: Watch a replay of the livestreamed Chrism Mass
Referencing this Jubilee Year of Hope, he reminded all that this “is what the Lord wants to give each of us as we enter these sacred mysteries – a renewal of our hope.”
Quoting the liturgy’s first reading of Isaiah, Bishop Williams recalled Jesus’ anointing “to proclaim glad tidings to poor, recovery of sight to the blind, freedom to captives, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim a year of favor in the Lord.”
“In a word, Jesus was anointed for jubilee,” he continued, and the renewal of hope for all. Jesus, in “sharing his anointing with us,” empowers all “to be jubilee for those around you.”
He continued how all can be jubilee to the prisoner, “thinking to themselves that it’s over” in this Holy Week, and the “spiritually incarcerated, enslaved by sin. In bondage to demons.”
People can bring hope to the poor, “the first recipients of (Jesus’) glad tidings,” and immigrant families, “enslaved by two, sometimes three jobs just to make ends meet.”
Citing a recent study that noted the increasing persistent sadness among high-school age youth, Bishop Williams asked, “Who will be jubilee for them?”
He said he would tell them, “There is a Father in heaven who can’t stop loving you.”
Bishop Williams recognized the people in South Jersey who act as jubilee for their fellow brothers and sisters, including those working in the diocesan offices of Catholic Charities, Housing and VITALity Catholic Healthcare Services, ministering to South Jersey’s poor; and his brother priests, who lift up souls and release the bonds of sin in the Sacrament of Confession.
“What a privilege to be your Bishop,” he remarked to the clergy.
Bishop Williams mentioned finding jubilee in a “heart to heart” with Msgr. James Tracy, a retired priest of the Diocese of Camden. Paying Msgr. Tracy a recent visit, and learning of his cancer diagnosis, Bishop Williams noted the steadfast faith of the shepherd in the midst of his battle.
“He told me, ‘It’s over, but I’m happy. I’m going to see him face to face,’” Bishop recalled. “My sisters and brothers, that is a hope which does not disappoint. That is final and eternal jubilee.”
With deacons, seminarians, religious women and men, Knights of Columbus, Knights and Dames of the Holy Sepulchre, Catholic schoolchildren, parish ministers, and faithful of the Diocese supporting their shepherds, the Diocese’s priests renewed their call as “faithful stewards of the mysteries of God,” pledging to “discharge faithfully the sacred office of teaching … moved only by zeal for souls.”
In turn, the faithful in the pews confirmed their desire to “pray for priests, that the Lord may pour out His gifts abundantly upon them and keep them faithful as ministers of Christ.”
The liturgy was also an opportunity for Bishop Williams to consecrate the Oil of the Sick, the Oil of Catechumens and the Sacred Chrism, all of which will be used in the Diocese’s parishes throughout the next year.
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