Oil plays an important role in the Catholic faith, and is used in various sacraments and rituals. This year, the blessing of the oil, which is done at the Chrism mass, was held at Se Cathedral Church, Old Goa, in the presence of the Archbishop of Goa and Daman, Filipe Neri Ferrao, Bishop Alex Dias, priests and representatives from all over the archdiocese.
During this mass, the Archbishop blessed the Oil of the Catechumens (Oleum Catechumenorum) and the Oil of the Sick (Oleum Infirmorum), and consecrated the Holy Chrism Oil (Sacrum Chrisma).
BLESSINGS & BONDS
The main aim of the Chrism mass was to express more clearly the presbyterial communion of the priests with their Archbishop. During the course of the celebration, the Archbishop reminded the priests to be faithful to their vocation, and invited them to renew their priestly promises publicly.
The holy oils, which are very important in the life of Catholics, are also blessed during this mass.
The mass is an important part, wherein the Archbishop can express his bond with the priests and all the faithful. The priests, in their turn, resolve to work under the fatherly care and guidance of their Bishop, who in turn asks for prayers from the priests and faithful, to help him reflect the life of Christ. This unique celebration unites the Bishop, all the priests working in the Archdiocese and the faithful whom they cater to.
During the homily, the Archbishop, Filipe Neri Ferrao, referring to Covid 19, said that life is very fragile, and hence people need to turn to God and pray to Him. He then mentioned ‘the Synodal experience’ wherein the Pope called the faithful to join in a journey involving communion, participation and mission. He said, “We, as disciples of Christ, are called to live in communion with each other, participate in the work of Christ, and fulfill His mission in spreading the Kingdom of God.”
He also reminded the priests to keep Christ as their role model and follow His practice. And, by doing so, the priests are called to live in communion with God, to be available and reach out to the people, especially the marginalised and the outcasts of society, to be ready to listen to the people, to respond positively to the cries, sufferings and agonies of the people, and to motivate more people to get involved in the life and ministry of the church.
The Chrism mass ended with the release of the ‘Pastoral Diary’ for the coming year at the hands of Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao and Bishop Alex Dias, Emeritus Bishop of Port Blair Diocese. The Pastoral Diary, which has the schedule for major events in the archdiocese, has been prepared under the direction of the Pastoral Secretariat of the Archdiocese, and was presented to the Archbishop by Fr Leo Fernandes, Executive Secretary of the Pastoral Secretariat.
