Oils blessed, priests renew promises at annual chrism Mass

Stephen Aye, left, and Theresa Soe kneel in prayer at the archdiocesan chrism Mass. Both emigrated to Indianapolis from Myanmar and are part of a large community of Burmese Catholics at St. Mark the Evangelist Parish in Indianapolis. (Photo by Sean Gallagher)

By Sean Gallagher

It was the kind of chrism Mass not seen in SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis in three years.

In 2020, the chrism Mass was delayed until late June because of the coronavirus pandemic. Celebrated during Holy Week in 2021, seating was limited because of continued COVID restrictions.

But on April 12 this year—Tuesday of Holy Week—priests, deacons, religious and hundreds of lay Catholics from across central and southern Indiana gathered with Archbishop Charles C. Thompson in the cathedral for the annual Mass in which priests renew their ordination promises and oils for the celebration of sacraments and the dedication of churches and altars are blessed.

(See a photo gallery from the Mass)

“You sound wonderful,” said Archbishop Thompson in remarks at the start of the liturgy after the congregation sung the opening hymn. “You look even better. What a wonderful joy it is to come together to celebrate this chrism Mass.”

It was the first chrism Mass for Stephen Aye, a member of St. Mark the Evangelist Parish in Indianapolis. He moved to Indianapolis from Myanmar about 10 years ago and attended the Mass with several other Burmese Catholics from the parish.

“I’m excited,” said Aye, who received the blessed oils for St. Mark at the Mass. “I’m so happy that I’m here. This is our first time to visit the cathedral. I’m so happy, so glad. This is special for us to be here. We thank God for that.”

It was also the first chrism Mass for Deb Greiwe, a member of St. Mary Parish in Greensburg and a teacher in its school, who likewise received blessed oils for her faith community.

She spoke about the importance of the oils for the people who would be received into the full communion of the Church a few days later at the Easter Vigil at St. Mary. Oils blessed at the Mass would be used in the sacraments of baptism and confirmation.

“It’s a blessing to be able to be part of their journey, even if in a small way and if they don’t necessarily see me doing it,” Greiwe said. “But it helps them in their journey. That’s what we’re here for.”

Jan Knapp had taken part in previous chrism Masses and was glad to return, this time to receive oils for her faith community, St. Agnes Parish in Nashville.

“It just really touches your heart,” she said. “And it prepares you for Holy Week. It all leads up to Christ’s resurrection. Everything flows to the resurrection. It blesses me.”

Greiwe, Aye, Knapp and so many others at the chrism Mass were putting their faith into action by coming together for worship and helping others in their journey to the Church.

Archbishop Thompson reflected in his homily on the connection between faith and action.

“We live and pray as we believe,” he said. “Thus, we proclaim the living and transforming Word of God in both word and deed. We bless the sacred oils to be used to bring glad tidings, to heal, to proclaim, to announce and to comfort.

“Those ordained as priests renew our promises of ordination not merely as individuals but as a presbyterate, not on behalf of a single parish or ministry, but united as members of the local Church known as the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.”

Father Jerry Byrd, pastor of St. Mary Parish in North Vernon and St. Anne and St. Joseph parishes, both in Jennings County, renewed his ordination promises almost 10 years after he professed them when he was ordained in the cathedral in 2012.

“It was a powerful moment,” he said of renewing his promises during the chrism Mass. “I think about those promises all the time. Being able to be with my brother priests was really special.”

Transitional Deacon Michael Clawson will make those promises on June 4 along with transitional Deacon Matthew Perronie when they are ordained archdiocesan priests—the first priesthood ordination for the archdiocese since 2019.

“It was meaningful for me to see my pastor and priests that I know re-affirming every year that choice that they made,” said Deacon Clawson, a member of Annunciation Parish in Brazil. “That commitment is reinforced and rejuvenated. I look forward to being a part of that. Next year, I’ll do the same thing.” †