Suzanne Chatterton accepts the holy oils for St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Peoria from Amanda Connon after the Chrism Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral on March 26. The Catholic Post/ Paul Thomas Moore

It’s as powerful as ever: the priests of the diocese renewing the promises made at their ordination, the blessing of the sacred oils by Bishop Louis Tylka, and after the Mass of Chrism on March 26, parish representatives taking the oils back to their faith communities.

Bishop Tylka stirs the balsam and olive oil that will – after he breathes over it, calls down the Holy Spirit upon it, and consecrates it – become the Oil for Sacred Chrism. The Catholic Post/ Paul Thomas Moore

Holy Week officially begins on Palm Sunday, but the universal church takes another step into the mysterious depths of this week that is like no other at the Mass of Chrism.

Reflecting the universal mission of the church, the first reading was in English by Zach Glass, with the second in Spanish by Margarita Perez. Glass and Perez are students at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and attend the St. John’s Catholic Newman Center there. The gospel was then proclaimed in French by Deacon Kevin Hernandez of Christ the King Parish in Moline.

The gospel recounted the time when Jesus read in the synagogue from the prophet Isaiah, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me.” (Luke 4:18)

As Bishop Tylka related in his homily, he is still hearing about how much oil he used to anoint the altar and walls when he consecrated the new church at St. Jude Parish in Peoria in November. He said one person commented, “Do you know you stained the walls where you rubbed the oil in?”

However, Bishop Tylka said such comments are most often followed by “a reflection of how beautiful it was to experience the dedication.”

He added that, “After being anointed with Sacred Chrism . . . the stain of Christ’s love should be visible in our words and deeds.”

PRAY FOR OUR PRIESTS

Following the gospel proclamation, the priests rose and Bishop Tylka led them in a renewal of their priestly promises “that you willingly and joyfully pledged on the day of your ordination.”

He then asked the congregation to pray for their priests “that the Lord may pour out his gifts abundantly upon them,” and “pray also for me, that I may be faithful to the apostolic office entrusted to me.”

The priests of the Diocese of Peoria were led by Bishop Louis Tylka in renewing the priestly promises “that you willingly and joyfully pledged on the day of your ordination.” The Catholic Post/ Paul Thomas Moore

The balsam to be mixed into the Sacred Chrism was conveyed to the altar by Deacon Justin Ramza, who was accompanied by Sarah Hogan, principal of St. Vincent de Paul School in Peoria, and Terry Mischler, a religion teacher at St. Mark School in Peoria.

The Oil of Catechumens was brought forward by Deacon Jacob Martini, accompanied by Amanda Cannon and Chris McAtee, diocesan directors of the Office of Information Management and Catholic Charities, respectively.

The Oil of the Sick was carried up by Deacon Jack Swoik, accompanied by Sister Carmela Babon, FAS, and Sister Gina V. Gille, FAS, both of whom serve in pastoral care at OSF HealthCare. (Deacons Swoik, Martini and Ramza are all transitional deacons who will be ordained to the priesthood along with Deacon Nicholas “Nick” Conner in May at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria.)

The Oil for Sacred Chrism was presented by Deacon Kevin Hernandez. He was accompanied by Robert and Therese Wille, parents of Father Patrick Wille.

Lastly, the bread, water and wine soon to be transubstantiated into the most precious gifts of all were taken to Bishop Tylka by Laura and Randy Junk, parishioners at Immaculate Heart of Mary, Galesburg Catholic Community.

CHRISM CHOIR

The choir from Chesterton Academy of the Sacred Heart in Peoria, directed by headmaster Dr. Joshua Russell, sang once again at the Chrism Mass.

The choir from Chesterton Academy of the Sacred Heart in Peoria, directed by headmaster Dr. Joshua Russell, sang once again at the Chrism Mass. Among their offerings was Ubi Caritas as the Communion Meditation. The Catholic Post/ Paul Thomas Moore

Music supporting the liturgy was provided by Director of Sacred Music and organist Jon Kroepel, and by the Pontifical Brass, directed by Carl Anderson. Aria Main, director of music at Sacred Heart Church in Peoria, served as cantor.

In an interesting grace note, the words to the Chrism Hymn (to the tune of the Christmas chant “Of the Father’s Love Begotten”) were written by Msgr. Jason Gray, Pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Peoria Heights and Episcopal Vicar, in 2002.  At the time, Msgr. Gray was rector at St. Mary’s Cathedral and the cathedral was between music directors.