Chrism Mass Homily
Cathedral of Sts Peter and Paul, Ennis
Spy Wednesday, April 1st, 2026
Tonight we gather in this sacred season of Holy Week for the Chrism Mass, one of the most beautiful and profound liturgies of our year. In these days, the Church walks with the Lord toward Calvary, and here, in this Cathedral of Sts. Petr and Paul, we pause at the heart of that journey to contemplate the mystery of Christ, the Anointed One.
The word “Christ” means “Anointed.” In the synagogue at Nazareth, as recorded in the of Gospel of Luke, Jesus reads from the prophet Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me.” In that moment, he reveals himself as the One consecrated by the Father, filled with the Spirit, sent to bring good news to the poor, sight to the blind, freedom to the oppressed.
Consecration of Sacred Oils
This evening, that same Spirit moves among us as we bless the Oil of the Sick, the Oil of Catechumens, and consecrate the Sacred Chrism. These oils are not mere symbols. They are signs through which Christ continues to touch, heal, strengthen, and consecrate his people.
Oil of the Sick
The Oil of the Sick will be carried to hospital rooms, nursing homes, private houses, and bedsides. Through it, Christ consoles those who suffer, strengthens those who are frail, and reminds the dying that they are never alone.
Oil of Catechumens
The Oil of Catechumens will be placed upon those preparing for Baptism, fortifying them for the spiritual struggle and welcoming them into the household of faith.
Oil of Chrism
And Sacred Chrism—richly perfumed, solemnly consecrated—will mark the newly baptized, seal the confirmandi, anoint the hands of priests, and consecrate altars and churches. Through this oil, the Church proclaims that every Christian shares in Christ’s mission as priest, prophet, and king.
Renewal of Priestly Promises
My dear brother priests, tonight you will renew the promises you made on the day of your ordination. You were anointed with Chrism so that your lives might be conformed to Christ the Head and Shepherd. In parishes large and small, in schools, hospitals, chaplaincies, and hidden places of faithful service, you preach the Gospel, celebrate the sacraments, and shepherd God’s people with generosity and love. I thank you for your fidelity—often unseen, sometimes costly, always precious in the sight of God.
Ministries and Apostolates
To our Volunteer Ministers, religious sisters and brothers, seminarians, and all who serve in voluntary ministries—catechists, readers, musicians, sacristans, pastoral volunteers, those who serve the poor, those who maintain our churches, those who serve on councils and committees—I offer heartfelt gratitude. The Church’s mission does not rest on the shoulders of a few, but is carried by the many. Your quiet dedication, your hidden sacrifices, your readiness to say “yes” when called upon—these are also anointed by the Spirit.
That all may be One
Tonight is a moment of unity. From this cathedral, the oils will be taken to every parish and community of our diocese. In this way, the sacramental life of each local church flows from and returns to this altar. We are one body in Christ. The same oil consecrated here will sanctify in every corner of our diocese. The same Spirit who descended upon Christ in the Jordan continues to descend upon his people.
As we move more deeply into the Paschal Mystery, we recall that we are an anointed people. At Baptism and Confirmation, the Spirit was poured into our hearts. We are not spectators of Christ’s work; we are participants in it. The world still longs for good news. It still aches for healing. It still needs the fragrance of hope.
May the oils blessed and consecrated this night be instruments of grace in the year ahead. May our priests be renewed in zeal, our people strengthened in faith, our sick comforted in suffering, our catechumens courageous in their journey. And may all of us, anointed by the Spirit, bear witness to Christ with lives that are faithful, joyful, and holy.
Entrusting ourselves to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Anointed One, we continue our pilgrimage through these sacred days, confident that the One who was anointed for our salvation will bring to completion the good work he has begun in us.
Amen.