MADISON — On the morning of Holy Thursday, April 2, the Diocese of Madison held its annual Chrism Mass.

This Mass is a unique liturgy where the diocese comes together to celebrate the gift of the priesthood, commemorate the unity of the priests with the bishop, and witness the bishop bless the holy oils that will be used to celebrate the sacraments throughout the diocese during the year.

Oil has a history in the Church that stretches back to the early centuries.

The Old Testament speaks of oil anointing priests, kings, and prophets.

Christ fulfills these roles, and we Christians, as “other Christs,” are likewise anointed with sacred oil. Like the prophets, kings, and priests of old, we are chosen and sent forth — as ambassadors of Christ, as royal sons and daughters, and as intercessors for the world.

God’s choice

The Mass was celebrated by Bishop Donald. J. Hying of Madison, with more than 80 diocesan priests concelebrating.

Also present were permanent deacons and consecrated women of the diocese.

As is the case most years, St. Maria Goretti Church in Madison was full as the faithful eagerly gathered to unite themselves with the bishop.

In his homily, Bishop Hying spoke of how anointing expresses God’s choice. “God chooses us, God chooses each one of us . . . We see this divine choice in the Baptism of the Lord, when He was anointed by the Holy Spirit . . . In the Old Testament, kings were anointed with sacred oil as a sign of their divine favor and choice.”

The bishop remembered, with fond humor, his own ordination, when oil was poured on his head with such enthusiasm that it dripped onto his shoulders and into his eyes.

“I was blinded for the rest of the Mass!” he said.

The bishop also spoke of the gift of the priesthood, expressing his gratitude and love for the priests of the Diocese of Madison and their faithfulness.

After the bishop’s homily, the priests of the diocese renewed their priestly promises, and the faithful interceded for them.

Blessing of oils

Then came the blessing of oils. The bishop first blessed the Oil of the Sick and the Oil of Catechumens, saying a prayer over them and making the sign of the Cross.

The Sacred Chrism, however, received a more unique blessing called the consecration of the Chrism.

The congregation stood for this solemn moment.

First the bishop stirred perfume into the oil. Then the bishop not only prayed over the Sacred Chrism, but breathed on it, reminding us of how Jesus breathed on the Apostles to give them the Holy Spirit.

It is this oil that anoints the newly Baptized, seals the foreheads of those Confirmed, and is used during Ordination.

This liturgy was a moment to witness and rejoice in the Apostolic origin of the Church — that the same commissioning Jesus gave the Apostles has passed down through centuries to our bishops, who now breathe on the holy oil that will be used in commissioning each new member of the Church.

This succession, coupled with the brotherhood of the priests that the faithful see so clearly at this liturgy, made the Mass a powerful time to intercede for the unity and sanctity of the Church as she entered into the Sacred Triduum.

Later, representatives of each parish and pastorate were called up to receive the oils, which were taken back to each parish and pastorate.