Bishop gathers with priests and parishioners from across the diocese for Chrism Mass

Priests join in the prayer over the Sacred Chrism oil. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Hundreds of parish representatives joined the priests of the diocese for the annual Chrism Mass in Holy Week 2024, held March 26 at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon.

During the Chrism Mass, the priests of the diocese renewed their commitment to priestly ministry.

The sacred oils that will be used in the celebration of sacraments throughout the year in parishes across the diocese were also blessed by Bishop Mark Hagemoen during the celebration at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon – the Oil of the Sick, the Oil of Catechumens, and the Sacred Chrism (see description of oils, below).

At a supper before the Chrism Mass, the bishop welcomed clergy and many of the parishioners from across the diocese who will carry up the newly-blessed oils in their parish celebrations on Holy Thursday.

Bishop Mark Hagemoen (right) presented papal blessings to priests celebrating milestone anniversaries of ordination in 2024: (l-r) Fr. Joseph Salihu, pastor at Holy Spirit Parish in Saskatoon, 30 years; Fr. Peter Ebidero, pastor at Martensville and Langham, 30 years; and retired diocesan priest Fr. Michel Bedard, who will celebrate his 50th anniversary of priestly ordination on June 28. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski)

The bishop also recognized milestone anniversaries being celebrated by priests in the diocese, presenting papal blessings to Fr. Peter Ebidero and Fr. Joseph Salihu who will both celebrate their 30th anniversary of ordination on July 2, 1994, and to Fr. Michel Bedard, who will mark his 50th anniversary on June 28. Also acknowledged was Oblate priest Fr. Richard Doll, OMI, (not in attendance) who celebrates his 60th anniversary of ordination this year.

The Chrism Mass also included prayers for two recently-deceased diocesan priests — Fr. Bernard de Margerie, who died March 3, and Fr. Jean-Marc Mireau, who died March 24. (Mass of Christian Burial for Fr Mireau will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 25 at the Cathedral of the Holy Family.)

Triduum and Easter Schedules for many parishes in the diocese of Saskatoon are posted at: rcdos.ca/lent-and-easter

Banquet photos:

Greeters were welcoming representatives from across the diocese to the supper before the Chrism Mass March 26. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

MC for the supper was Candice Koch of Fox Valley (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Chrism Mass photos:

Packaged oils, ready to be blessed during the annual Chrism Mass. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Preparing for the start of Mass. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Entrance procession for the annual Chrism Mass held March 26, 2024 at the Cathedral of the Holy Family. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Bishop Mark Hagemoen welcomes those assembled for the annual Chrism Mass in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Priests from across the diocese renewed their priestly commitment during the Chrism Mass. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Bishop Mark Hagemoen addresses the priests during the Chrism Mass. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Receiving the oil to be blessed as the Oil of the Sick. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Bringing up the oil to be blessed as the Oil of Catechumens. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Bringing up the oil to be blessed as Sacred Chrism. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Bishop Mark Hagemoen blessed the oils that will be used in sacraments throughout the diocese in the year ahead. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Bishop Hagemoen mixes aromatic balsalm oil with the oil to be blessed as Sacred Chrism. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Picking up the oils / reception:

Picking up the oils for Macklin-area parishes: Fr. Santhosh
Thekkekulam, VC, and parishioner Stephen Kloster. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Fr. Augustine Osei-Bonsu picked up the oils for Wynyard, Wishart, Foam Lake and Lanigan parishes. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Picking up the blessed sacred oils after the Chrism Mass. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Bishop Mark Hagemoen visits with Monsignor Raymond Senger and Fr. Hoang Nguyen (l-r) at the reception after the Chrism Mass. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Video of the Chrism Mass:

The Sacred Oils:

• Oil of Catechumens (OC): This oil, sometimes referred to as Oil of Salvation, is used to anoint the catechumens (those who are to be baptized) in preparation for their initiation into the Church. The prayer accompanying this anointing expresses the desire that Christ strengthen the person being anointed. This oil is also used in celebration of the baptism of children. It is a sign of belonging: marking us as members of the Body of Christ.

• Oil of the Sick (OS): This oil is used in the Anointing of the Sick. The prayer accompanying this anointing is: “Through this holy anointing, may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy spirit. May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up.” This oil is used to bring comfort and support to the sick in their infirmity and to pray for healing. The celebrating of the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is a ritual moment that makes visible and present to the sick and to the whole community who we are as Church: a community of healing and support.

• Sacred Chrism (SC): This oil includes a sweet-smelling perfume or balsam, added during the blessing prayers at the Chrism Mass. Sacred Chrism is used at the celebration of baptism, confirmation, the ordination of priests and bishops, and for the dedication of churches and altars. Sacred Chrism is also used in the blessing of bells and sacred vessels. Anointing with this oil signifies abundance of grace and dedicated service to God. The word Christ means “anointed one,” so being anointed with oil is a sign of the special and strengthening presence of Christ, the Anointed One.

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Kiply Lukan Yaworski is the Communications Coordinator for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon: rcdos.ca

Banquet photos:

Chrism Mass photos:

Picking up the oils / reception:

Video of the Chrism Mass:

The Sacred Oils:

Bishop’s homily at Chrism Mass 2024

Author Kiply Lukan Yaworski

Catholic Pastoral Centre

Resources:

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Bishop gathers with priests and parishioners from across the diocese for Chrism Mass

Banquet photos:

Chrism Mass photos:

Picking up the oils / reception:

Video of the Chrism Mass:

The Sacred Oils:

Bishop’s homily at Chrism Mass 2024

Author Kiply Lukan Yaworski

Catholic Pastoral Centre

Resources:

Got Questions:

Log-in:

FAQ?