CHRISM MASS DAY 2011 : CONSECRETING THE HOLY OILS OF THE CHURCH AND RENEWING OUR VOWS TO THE PRIESTHOOD AND THE INSTITUTION OF THE EUCHARIST WITH BISHOP SOTO...........

Each year in the days just before Easter Sunday, Priests of Jesus Christ in dioceses around the World, gather with their Bishops, to concelebrate what is commonly referred to as the, "Chrism Mass".  Sacred Chrism is lone of the three Holy Oils of the Church, consecreted by the Bishop each year for use in sacramental and liturgical anointings.  Along with the Oil of the Catechumens and the Oil of the Sick, these three holy oils are sacramentals - outward signs of the Initiation, Healing, and Ordination, in Catholic-Christianity.  Chrism, a combination of olive oil and balsam is used in the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders, as well as in the anointing of altars and walls, in the Dedication of Churches.  At the Mass of the Holy Oils tonight, the presbyterate of our Sacramento Diocese will bve asked to renew our commitment to our Ordination as Priests.  And the Religious, Deacons, and Laity, present will also affirm their commitment to their Ministry.  The day begins this morning to mid-afternoon, with a Priests' Conference at St. Anthony's Church in the Greenhaven area of southwest Sacramento.  Then we will proceed to the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacramento for Dinner and the Concelebration of the Chrism Mass.  Fr. Pius and I will make our way shortly after the 8 am Mass.  I always look forward to this day, and especially anticipate it today, as it will my first full time since my amputation surgery in January, to see all my fellow diocesan priests, and fraternally interact with the presbyterate.  All of us who are Catholic-Christians can respond to the significance of Chrism Mass Day, by pondering and embracing anew the Call to Faith, Discipleship, and Ministry, denoted by our Baptism / Christian Initiation.  Who ever, Where ever, you are, choose to say YES, to Jesus Christ and His Church, by renewing your own commitment to being an authentic and active, Catholic-Christian.  What Ministry of the Church, do you - will you - Share now and in the year 2011-2012 ???????????...........Fr.  Troy David Powers