“Very early, the better to signify the gift of the Holy Spirit, an anointing with perfumed oil (chrism) was added to the laying on of hands [in Confirmation]. This anointing highlights the name ‘Christian,’ which means ‘anointed’ and derives from that of Christ himself whom God “anointed with the Holy Spirit.”100 This rite of anointing has continued ever since, in both East and West. For this reason the Eastern Churches call this sacrament Chrismation, anointing with chrism, or myron which means ‘chrism.’” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1289)
What is the Chrism Mass?
The Chrism Mass is celebrated by the bishop with all of the priests of his diocese, in unity, on or near Holy Thursday. The Chrism Mass this past year was celebrated on March 22, 2018 at St. Ann’s Cathedral. The Diocese of Great Falls-Billings is so large a region that celebrating the Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday presents travel issues for the vast majority of her priests. The sacred oils consecrated at the Chrism Mass are distributed to every parish, a visible and tangible sign of our unity in a gift of the Holy Spirit for the sacraments.
“The consecration of the sacred chrism is an important action that precedes the celebration of Confirmation, but is in a certain way a part of it. It is the bishop who, in the course of the Chrism Mass of Holy Thursday, consecrates the sacred chrism for his whole diocese.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1297)
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