The Holy Thursday Mass of Chrism was celebrated at Cork's Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne this morning
Bishop Fintan Gavin welcomed parishioners and priests and religious from across the diocese.
The ceremony included the:
- Renewal of Priestly Promises
- Blessing of the Oil of the Sick
- Blessing of the Oil of Catechumens
- and the Consecration of the Chrism
Bishop Fintan acknowledged especially the contibution of priests across the diocese in a time of a lot of change.
“I want to acknowledge the generosity of so many of our priests who generously continue to minister beyond the retirement age of parish priests at 75 years."
Bishop Fintan Gavin blesses the Holy Oils at the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne (North Cathedral) in Cork“Your openness as priests to respond to this reality has allowed us to respond in pro-active and creative ways and I want to acknowledge and thank you for this today, because your openness and generosity has been nothing short of heroic and I witness this on a daily basis and hear about it from parishioners as I visit parish communities all the time.”
Bishop Fintan also reminded the whole congregation that each one is called to be a disciple.
“As I visit parishes for confirmations and pastoral visits at weekends, I am conscious that already we have so much to be grateful for, with funeral teams, choirs, altar servers, ministers of the Word and Eucharist, stewards, parish assemblies, or parish councils, parish finance committees, baptism teams and so much more. We have so much to build on and renew.”
“All of us through baptism are called to be missionary disciples with co-responsibility for our local church. The future is hopeful if we listen to the Holy Spirit.”
The names and backgrounds of the people who took active parts in the liturgy, along with the multi-national gathering of priests illustrated the diversity of cultures and gifts which make up the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Cork and Ross.
Deacon John Guirey brings the Book of the Gospels in the entrance procession at the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne (North Cathedral) in Cork.
Concelebrating priests process in to the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne (North Cathedral) in Cork
The Cathedral Choir was directed by Ann Roche at the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne (North Cathedral) in Cork
The Cathedral Choir
Bishop Fintan Gavin, Bishop of Cork & Ross Diocese addresses the congregation at the Chrism Mass
The Oil of the Sick was brought forward by Agnes Moloney and Chris Bowles
The Oil of Catchumens was presented to the bishop by Edinado Campos and Esther Sinnott
The Gifts of bread and wine were presented by Dione Fernandes and mother Maria.
Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne (North Cathedral) in Cork
Bishop Fintan Gavin blesses the Holy Oils at the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne (North Cathedral) in Cork.
Sign language translation was provided by Ciara O'Connell, Fiona Landers and John F Doherty (Chaplain to the Deaf Community in Cork).
Bishop Fintan Gavin, Bishop of Cork & Ross Diocese - Blessing of the OIl of the Sick; Blessing of the Oil of Catechumens and the Consecration of the Chrism
Procession at the end of the Chrism Mass
Bishop Fintan Gavin, at the end of the
Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne (North Cathedral) in Cork, with FR Christy Fitzgerald, Master of Ceremonies..
Bishop Fintan Gavin, Bishop of Cork & Ross meets members of the congregation
Bishop Fintan with some of the young people who attended the
Chrism Mass at trhe Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne (North Cathedral) in Cork.
Photos: Brian Lougheed
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