ROCKFORD—The annual Chrism Mass on April 2 at the Cathedral of St. Peter brought together bishops, priests, deacons and laity from around the Diocese of Rockford in a “living reminder of the unity of … the local and particular Church that is our home,” said Bishop David Malloy.

“That unity — of faith and of liturgy and of our complementary vocations — is willed by Christ Himself,” he said, adding that the unity “is made even more visible by the blessing of the oils at this Mass.”

This annual celebration includes a time for priests of the diocese to renew their commitment to priestly service. Noting that Holy Thursday is “the birthday of the priesthood,” the bishop spoke with the many priests gathered about their ordination promises “by which we are more clearly confirmed to Christ.”

Their priestly renewal was followed by the blessing of the oil of the sick and the oil of catechumens.

Bishop Malloy then mixed balsam into the remaining vessel of olive oil, blessing it with a consecratory prayer. The Chrism is for use in liturgical anointings at baptism, confirmation, holy orders and the blessing of an altar. In former days, it was used for the coronation of a king.

“And so each sacrament is … a call to renewed unity with the bishop … with the successor of Peter … and ultimately with the Church and with Christ Himself,” Bishop Malloy said.

“The ultimate source of our unity is Christ,” he added. “The use of the oils … is a call to the unity of faith and charity that marks us as Christians and Catholics.”

At the end of the Mass, parish representatives came forth to collect oils for use by their respective parishes this year. Thanking them in his homily for their presence and “for witnessing this renewal by your priests,” Bishop Malloy asked them “to continue to support your priests. Pray for them … (and) please thank your priests and love your priests.”

And he promised his brother priests, “you have our prayers as well.”