At Chrism Mass, bishop speaks of everyone being anointed for glad tidings, here and now

These are signs entrusted to the Church by our Lord, efficacious of the grace we need to be his presence, together, today.”

Bishop Ralph B. O’Donnell

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Back in his hometown, Jesus read words from the Prophet Isaiah, about healing, liberation and the full restoration of God’s covenant with his people.

Then, he revealed: “Today, this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing,” (Luke 4:16).

“Today!” Bishop Ralph B. O’Donnell echoed during his first Chrism Mass as head of the Jefferson City diocese.

“Whenever we are drawn closer to Christ, the mystery of our faith,” Bishop O’Donnell pointed out from the ambo of the Cathedral of St. Joseph, “whenever we extend ourselves in service to one another — action on behalf of the Gospel we received; any time we form our lives anew to the direction of the Holy Spirit, to the guidance of Christ, to the cost of discipleship ...

“Whenever we seek reconciliation with someone who has been wronged by us, or offer forgiveness to someone who has wronged us,” he continued.

“Whenever we care for the poor and the outcast, feed the hungry, shelter those who are on the street; whenever we welcome the stranger, the alien, the immigrant ...

“Whenever we defend the helpless, champion and protect the dignity of all human life ...

“In these moments, ‘today’ comes!” the bishop asserted. “The day that Christ calls for by his very life, death and resurrection.”

Hundreds from throughout these 38 counties joined Bishop O’Donnell and priests of the diocese in celebrating the Chrism Mass on the Tuesday of Holy Week.

Many others tuned in to the livestream video.

In a Liturgy filled with ancient symbolism, powerful hymns and joyful worship, the bishop blessed the Oil of Catechumens and the Oil of the Sick, and consecrated the Sacred Chrism that will be used for Sacraments throughout the diocese in the upcoming year.

Bishop O’Donnell and the priests renewed the promises they made at their ordination.

“We gather to give witness to Christ, who saves us,” the bishop told everyone present.

Much has been given

Bishop O’Donnell began by thanking all the priests, deacons, consecrated religious, seminarians and lay faithful.

“As I think of your commitment, of all that you do in any given day, it fills my heart with great joy and gratitude to be present with you today as we call upon the Lord ... who loves us and by that love has freed us from our sins,” he said.

He reminded the faithful that like Isaiah and like Jesus, they are anointed and sent.

“God gives us the grace to live the charisms imbued in each and every one of us for the purpose of the Kingdom,” the bishop stated.

By receiving the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation and upon fully embracing God’s specific calling, “you became God’s herald, received the oblation of the People of God,” said Bishop O’Donnell.

“To embrace the mystery of Christ crucified,” he continued. “To generate through the gift of married life, generations of the faith.

“To take into the workplace the witness of your Baptismal promises, to share in countless ministries of service. To be anointed for the purpose of living in the Body of Christ in time, the Church.

“To bring Christ’s presence to the world. To bring glad tidings to the poor, liberty to captives, sight to the blind, and freeing the oppressed!” the bishop stated.

Sweet anointing

Bishop O’Donnell spoke of the assistance Catholics receive from God through anointing with the sacred oils, which symbolize and facilitate the interior anointing received from the Holy Spirit.

Sacred Chrism, named for Christ, is used in Baptism, as well as Confirmation, the ordination of priests and bishops, and the dedication of churches and altars.

The Oil of Catechumens is used for infants during Baptism, and for the anointing of the elect during the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) as they prepare to be baptized.

It designates all members of the Church as learners and gives protective strength against evil.

The Oil of the Sick — the most regularly used of the holy oils — is for administering the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.

Grace in action

By drawing the bishop, the priests, the Sacraments and those who will receive them together in one Liturgy, the annual Chrism Mass is a powerful testament to God’s abounding love.

“God gives us the ability and indeed the commission, the charge, to bring the Kingdom to the world,” Bishop O’Donnell noted.

The grace to respond to that commission comes from God through the Sacraments.

“These are signs entrusted to the Church by our Lord, efficacious of the grace we need to be his presence, together, today,” said Bishop O’Donnell.

“We beg the Holy Spirit to bless these oils, to make them holy for their purpose, for the sick and infirm; for those who have been catechized and given the grace to receive what they have learned and to fearlessly live it.

“We call upon the Spirit to consecrate the Chrism: for anointing all of those — priest, prophet and king — to bring them into the dignity of children of God, confirm them in faith, to consecrate them for the purpose of Christ’s sacrifice,” he said.

Joyous strains

The bishop and assembly honored this year’s priestly jubilarians:

• Father Paulinus Aneke Ph.D., a missionary priest from the Diocese of Enugu, Nigeria, who is serving as parochial administrator of St. Anthony Parish in Camdenton; and
• Father Benjamin E. Nwosu, a missionary priest from the Diocese of Okigwe, Nigeria, who is serving as pastor of St. Ann Parish in Warsaw, St. Bernadette Parish in Hermitage and the Mission of Ss. Peter and Paul in Cole Camp.

Both are celebrating their 25th priestly anniversaries this year.

Seminarians of the diocese served in various liturgical roles at the Mass.

The Diocesan Choir, conducted by Andrew Meagher Ph.D., director of music for Cathedral of St. Joseph Parish, and accompanied by organist Annette Kehner, led the singing.

Kate Basi, a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Columbia, and Rose Ann Ruzicka, who is also the hand bell choir director at the Cathedral, provided flute accompaniment.

Laurel Welch and Gabe Hammond, students of Helias Catholic High School in Jefferson City, proclaimed the readings.

Of the many

Sister Mary Rost SSND, pastoral associate of Immaculate Conception Parish in Brookfield, and Sister Ruth Ann Klauser SSND of Kirksville, consecrated religious representative to the Diocesan Pastoral Council, presented the gifts of bread and wine at the Offertory.

Both are celebrating their 60th anniversaries as School Sisters of Notre Dame this year.

In procession, four deacons presented the oils for blessing and consecration:

• Deacon James Rangitsch, who assists the pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish of Pettis County, presented the Oil of the Sick;
• Deacon Chad Freie, who assists the pastor of St. Clement Parish in St. Clement, St. Joseph Parish in Louisiana and the Mission of Mary Queen of Peace in Clarksville, presented the Oil of Catechumens;
• Deacon Jim Haaf, who assists the pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Westphalia and St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Folk and ministers in nursing homes, presented the oil for the Sacred Chrism; and
• Deacon Keith Henke, who assists the pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Taos, presented the balsam that would be mixed with the Sacred Chrism, giving it its sweet aroma.

During the Eucharistic Prayer, the concelebrating priests gathered around the altar, extended their hands and pronounced the words of consecration together, their voices rumbling through the sanctuary.

The closing hymn was a thundering rendition of “Lift High the Cross.”

After Mass, the bishop, priests and people gathered for a festive reception in Cana Hall.

Kyle Clark, a member of St. Joseph Parish in Edina, and her family drove over two hours to get to the Cathedral.

“We are family, and family stands together,” said Mrs. Clark, mother of Father Paul Clark, a priest of the diocese.

“It’s important to us to stand with our Church family in support our priests and consecrated religious — to show our appreciation for their ‘yes,’ to encourage them, and each of us, in our journey to further God’s Kingdom here, where we are, right now,” she said.

She remarked how Rev. Mr. Jacob Hartmann, a transitional deacon who’s preparing to be ordained a priest of the diocese, told his mother of his humble awareness of the oils being blessed, including the Chrism the bishop hopefully will use to anoint him as a priest.

She said the long trip was well worthwhile, to pray for all the priests and everyone who will be anointed with the oils.

“These oils! The very oils that will be used as we welcome new babies, relatives, and friends into the fold at their Baptism,” she stated. “For the anointing of our children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and Church family at their Confirmation.

“For our loved ones who will be anointed in their illness and all those who will be anointed as their time on earth is complete and they pass on to their new life with God, forever,” she continued.

“And for those who will be anointed as our priests and deacons,” she stated. “Chosen by God to serve all of us, each of us, from every corner of our diocese.”