The Sacrifice of the Mass with the Rite of Blessing of Oils at St Patrick's Cathedral was celebrated by Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan and concelebrate by the four active NY auxiliary bishops. This year we were blessed to have with us Bishop-elect Jude Ayodeji Arogundade, 48, (of Ondo, Nigeria). Bishop-elect Jude has been the parish administrator of an Elmsford, NY parish until his recent appointment to Nigeria, for which he leaves for in the middle of April; his ordination to the episcopacy is May 6. Cardinal Edward M. Egan presided in choir robes (his 78th birthday is April 2). About 400 secular and religious order priests concelebrated the Mass and renewed their commitment to priestly service.Dolan squarely set the theology tonight's sacred rites in the context of the loving obedience of Christ on the cross leading to the resurrection, reminding us that we are saved by the wounds of Christ.
In speaking of the holy oils and the priesthood, the Archbishop said the holy oils are the sacramental icons for the entire Church of the Sacraments and that the priesthood is about calling, consecration and consolation. It was significant that the sacred Chrism consecrated tonight will be used to consecrated the hands of the 10 deacons to be ordained priests on May 15.
Once again Archbishop Dolan focussed our attention on the trials of the Church today and called us to stand with the Church amidst her struggle. Likewise, the renewal of the request for a prayerful solidarity with the Pope was well received.
Seminary tradition has it that the third year theology class distributes the newly blessed oils.
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