Tonight our Parish family - who have students being Confirmed in April, will be traveling to the Cathedral for the Chrism Mass.
The Chrism Mass is a high Mass with almost all of the Priests from the Diocese being there. I enjoy this Mass and I enjoy being in the Cathedral of St. Paul.
These young adults in our Church are struggling with their faith, family and peer issues. The Sacrament of Confirmation will give them the Grace to let the Holy Spirit guide them through the tough times in life and will give them the strength that they need when questioning their faith.
To question our faith keeps us growing in faith.
These young adults will receive the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit - Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety and Fear of the Lord. These great gifts infused with Sanctifying Grace - will help them live a Christian life.
Below is some information on the Chrism Mass.
Information from catholicnh.org
About the Chrism Mass
At the Chrism Mass -- which is usually the largest annual gathering of clergy and faithful most dioceses have -- the priests renew the commitments they made at their ordination.
The Mass takes its name from the most eminent of the three holy oils which the bishop commissions for his local church's use over the following year.
While the Oil of the Sick, used for those who seek the anointing, and the Oil of the Catechumens, which is imposed on those preparing for baptism, are simply "blessed," the Sacred Chrism is "consecrated," and all the priests present participate in the latter moment by extending their hands toward the vessel containing it as the bishop says the prayer of consecration.
The Chrism is used at the ordination of priests and bishops, baptisms, confirmations, the consecration of altars and the blessing of churches, where the walls are smeared with it in the shape of the sign of the cross.
As part of the consecration of the Chrism, balsam is poured into the oil, which gives it a sweet smell intended to remind those who encounter it of the "odor of sanctity" to which those people and things who are marked with it, and by extension all of us, are called to strive for.
