Bishop Daniel E. Thomas will celebrate the Chrism Mass on Tuesday of Holy Week, April 15, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral in Toledo.
Blessing of Holy Oils
The Chrism Mass is held during Holy Week in every Catholic diocese. In the Diocese of Toledo, it is traditionally held on the Tuesday of Holy Week. During this Mass, the priests, deacons and representatives of the entire diocesan community gather around the Bishop, who blesses the Holy Oils for use in the coming year.
These are:
- Oil of the Sick
- Oil of Catechumens
- Sacred Chrism
Whenever the Holy Oils are used in a diocese, the ministry of the bishop who consecrated them is symbolically present.
Unity, Renewal of Vows and Promises
The Chrism Mass reminds us of our oneness in Christ through Baptism and its holy anointing, made possible by the ministry of the bishop and his priests. The Chrism Mass is also a key moment in which the unity of the bishop with his priests (together, they form the presbyterate) is manifested and renewed. During the liturgy, the entire assembly is called to renew its baptismal promises; deacons and priests also renew their vow of obedience to the local bishop and their commitment to serve God’s people. At the end of the Chrism Mass, the Holy Oils are brought back to parishes of the diocese for use in the coming year.
Bulletin or Pulpit Announcement
As we continue to celebrate the Jubilee Year of Hope, kindly join us for the celebration of the annual Chrism Mass during which the Oil of the Sick and the Oil of Catechumens are blessed; the Sacred Chrism is consecrated; and our diocesan and religious priests renew their priestly promises. We invite all the faithful of the Diocese of Toledo to “pray for your Priests, that the Lord may pour out his gifts abundantly upon them, and keep them faithful as ministers of Christ, the High Priest, so that they may lead you to him, who is the source of salvation” (Roman Missal, Chrism Mass, Renewal of Priestly Promises).
Parish representatives from around the diocese will be present and will take the blessed/consecrated oils back to their communities to be used in the celebration of the sacraments during the next year.
YOU ARE MOST CORDIALLY INVITED TO JOIN US FOR THE Chrism Mass, which will be celebrated by Bishop Daniel E. Thomas on Tuesday of Holy Week, April 15, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral in Toledo.