Jubilee of Hope permeates Abp.-designate McKnight’s last Chrism Mass in this diocese
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The hopeful witness of dozens of priests and hundreds of lay faithful ascended from the altar, the ambo, the pews, the organ and the bishop’s chair in the Cathedral of St. Joseph.
“We are a people of hope!” Archbishop-designate W. Shawn McKnight proclaimed, his voice rising with grateful anticipation.
A week after the announcement that he’d been appointed to lead the Archdiocese of Kansas City in his home state of Kansas, Archbishop-designate McKnight celebrated one more annual Chrism Mass with the priests and people of this diocese.
It was the afternoon of April 15, the Tuesday of Holy Week.
He and the priests blessed the oils and consecrated the Sacred Chrism that will be used to administer the Sacraments in every parish in this diocese in the upcoming year.
Gathered around the sunlight-saturated altar, they also renewed the promises they made at their Ordination.
“This Mass of the Holy Chrism, with the renewal of priestly promises, recapitulates the death, resurrection, ascension, gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and the birth of the Church, all at once,” the archbishop-designate stated.
An ample delegation of faithful pilgrims from all five deaneries attended the Mass, with many others watching the livestream video.
The archbishop-designate framed the message of his homily with the Church-wide celebration of the Jubilee Year of Hope.
“We are charged with being bearers of hope in a world often hardened by confusion, discouragement or even despair,” he reminded the priests. “The hope we bear to people burdened by sin and weighed down by the demands of life, especially hectic family life, is the hope of the Resurrection and our future incorporation into the mystery of the eternal heavenly banquet.”
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.
Archbishop-designate McKnight noted that if his successor is appointed within the next year and has not already been ordained a bishop, Sacred Chrism consecrated at this Chrism Mass would likely be used in the ordination of that new bishop.
“During the rite of Ordination of a Bishop, following the laying on of hands and the prayer of consecration, the Sacred Chrism is poured onto the head of the newly ordained, symbolizing his unique anointing with the fullness of Priesthood,” the archbishop-designate noted.
“Whether it be the ordination and installation of a new bishop of Jefferson City, or a simple installation, it will be a great day of rejoicing and celebration in a very special Jubilee Year of Pilgrims of Hope!” he said.
He pointed out that he will use Sacred Chrism next month to dedicate the altars of St. Andrew Church in Tipton and Holy Rosary Church in Monroe City, which are being renovated.
“These, too, shall be joyful days within the Year of Jubilee,” he stated.
So also will be the Easter Vigil, when adults who have been preparing for Baptism throughout the diocese will receive a sacred anointing and have the stain of original sin washed away.
“I pray that our celebrations of the Easter Triduum may foster a healing in our parishes and communities, and bring about a greater communion in our Church,” said Archbishop-designate McKnight.
Oil of gladness
The archbishop-designate talked about how Catholics are assisted by anointing with the sacred oils, which both symbolize and facilitate the interior anointing received from the Holy Spirit.
“Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One, who was priest, prophet and king,” the preacher stated. “His disciples call themselves Christians to affirm this belief and share in his mission.”
The Oil of Catechumens is used for infants during the baptismal ceremony, 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 them a protecting strength against evil.
“It is a good reminder to us priests, too, that our primary duty is to teach the faith,” said Archbishop-designate McKnight. “There can be no celebration of the Sacraments without first proclaiming the Word.”
The Oil of the Sick — the most regularly used of the holy oils — is for administering the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.
“We ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen and heal those who shall be anointed in order to mend their bodies, refresh their spirits, restore their broken relationship with God, and to heal our fractured humanity,” the archbishop-designate stated.
Their spiritual healing, including the forgiveness of sins, is the primary aim of the sacrament. This oil, therefore, represents all that the priests and people do to manifest God’s kingdom in works of charity and mercy.
“When we provide a place for those suffering from addictions to gather for support and healing, we are proclaiming the Kingdom of God,” said Archbishop-designate McKnight.
“Whenever we tend to those who grieve and mourn over the death of a loved one, and offer the Church’s Funeral Rites, we are evangelizing people about the reality of Christ’s death,” he stated.
“In short, our acts of charity and mercy are concrete expressions of our hope in the Resurrection. In times of sadness, the oil of gladness lifts up our spirits.”
He encouraged everyone to build a stronger culture of hope and mutual respect, “so that we may deal more effectively with the challenge of a declining number of active priests, the pressures on families, and the challenges our young adults face.”
Ad multos annos
Everyone present also honored this year’s priestly jubilarians:
- Monsignor Michael Flanagan of Columbia, a retired priest of the diocese, celebrating his 60th priestly anniversary this year; and
- Father Joseph Corel, pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish of Pettis County, and the bishop’s liaison for prison ministry in the diocese, celebrating his 25th priestly anniversary this year.
“These jubilarians, and all the priests concelebrating this Mass today with their bishop, have different histories, personalities, gifts and talents,” said Archbishop-designate McKnight.
“But what we have in common is the sacramental fraternity of the ministerial Priesthood received by a special gift of the Holy Spirit that configures us to Christ, Head and Shepherd of the Church.”
Seminarians and candidates for the diaconate served in various liturgical roles at the Mass.
Lay representatives of each of the five deaneries carried banners in the opening procession and the recessional.
Mary Madelyn Mertes, assistant director of catechetical formation for the diocese, and Erin Vader Ed.D., diocesan superintendent of Catholic schools, proclaimed the readings.
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.
Student volunteers from Helias Catholic High School in Jefferson City served as ushers.
Many hands
Sr. Ruth Ann Klauser of the School Sisters of Notre Dame; Sister Guadalupe Ruiz of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word; and Sister Kathleen Wegman of the School Sisters of Notre Dame presented the bread and wine at the offertory.
In procession, four deacons presented the oils for blessing and consecration:
Deacon Mike Berendzen of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Taos, coordinator of Columbia Catholic Hospital Ministry and diocesan director of deacon life and ministry, presented the Oil of the Sick.
Deacon John Beaudoin of St. Martin Parish in St. Martins, presented the Oil of Catechumens.
Deacon Brad Jones of St. Martin Parish in St. Martins, who ministers in nursing homes, presented the oil for the Sacred Chrism.
Deacon Kenneth Wildhaber Jr. of Immaculate Conception Parish in Jefferson City, who ministers in nursing homes, presented the balsam that would be mixed with the Sacred Chrism, giving it its sweet aroma.
Permanent deacons carried the bottles of blessed oil and consecrated Chrism downstairs to Cana Hall, where they were sorted in order to be sent to parishes in appropriate quantities with each pastor.
During the Eucharistic Prayer, the priests extended their hands and pronounced the words of consecration together, their voices rumbling through the sanctuary.
The closing hymn was “Pilgrims of Hope,” the official hymn of the Jubilee Year of Hope.
After Mass, the priests and people gathered for a festive reception in Cana Hall.
