LITURGY MATTERS: The Chrism Mass – Greasing the Wheels of Synodality
By Michael McKenna, Archdiocesan Master of Ceremonies
A central concept of the pontificate of Pope Francis, ‘synodality’ has become the new buzzword in the Church. Intended to be understood as the modus vivendi et operandi (mode of living) of the Church, synodality encompasses the key themes of communion, participation and mission.
It invites us more deeply into the sacramental reality of a shared common dignity and vocation, established through the sacrament of baptism, by which we participate in the priestly, prophetic, and kingly offices of Christ.
Jesus said: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me …” (Lk 4:18) Through baptism we become sharers in this anointing through the gift of the Holy Spirit made especially evident through the visible sign of oil. Anointing is central to the sacramental life of Catholics, and oil in its different forms accompanies us on this journey. Each anointing received enables us to share more completely in the mission of Jesus Christ.
At the centre of the Church’s worship is the notion of “sacrament”. As signs of divine grace, these sacramental oils used for anointing draw their effectiveness from the Paschal Mystery to become instruments of salvation through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Orders and the Anointing of the Sick.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (1294) provides a good summary of the importance of the three holy oils, noting especially of the Sacred Chrism:
The post-baptismal anointing with sacred chrism in Confirmation and ordination is the sign of consecration… those who are anointed, share more completely in the mission of Jesus Christ and the fullness of the Holy Spirit with which he is filled, so that their lives may give off ‘the aroma of Christ.’ [2 Cor 2, 15]
On the threshold of the Sacred Paschal Triduum, before entering into the celebration of the central mysteries of salvation, clergy, religious and lay faithful in dioceses around the world gather with their bishop for the Chrism Mass. Rich with symbolism, it is at the Chrism Mass that each parish will receive its annual supply of the sacramental oils through which the ministry of the bishop who consecrated them is made symbolically present.
The unique liturgy provides a moment in which the unity of the Archbishop with his priests is manifested and renewed. In the act of consecrating the Sacred Chrism the bishop is joined in prayer by the priests, signifying their participation in his authority, through which Christ himself sanctifies and builds up his body, the Church. Reflecting on the symbolism of the Chrism Mass, Pope Benedict XVI observed “the holy oils… serve also as an expression of the Church’s unity, guaranteed by the episcopate, and they point to Christ, the true ‘shepherd and guardian’ of our souls.”
Indeed, as a manifestation of the unity of the people of God, the Chrism Mass is a most significant liturgy in the life of the local church, and prompts us to reflect upon our oneness in Christ through Baptism and its holy anointing, made possible through the ministry of the bishop in communion with his priests. Ordered to one another, as St Augustine observed, “for you I am a bishop, with you, after all, I am a Christian”.
Returning to our buzzword, I am reminded of that ancient maxim of the Church: “Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi, Lex Vivendi” (as we Worship, so we Believe, so we Live).
It seems to me that on reflection the ancient liturgy of the Church anticipates synodality in and through the Chrism Mass. Perhaps a first step along the path of synodality might be for us to take our place among the gathered faithful for this significant occasion in the life of the local Church.