(Catholic Herald photo/Kevin Wondrash)
MADISON — It was an hour before Mass and the parking lot at St. Maria Goretti Church in Madison was already filling up.
It was a familiar sight that both spring and Holy Week have arrived.
This evening — Tuesday, March 31 – was the date of the annual Chrism Mass in the Diocese of Madison.
Every year at the Mass, oils to be used in sacraments during the coming year are blessed, including the Oils of the Sick, of Catechumens, and of Chrism.
Also at the Mass, the priests of the diocese renew their vows of service to the Church.
Before the Mass, the evening’s music ministers, the Madison Diocesan Choir — directed by Pat Gorman — along with instrumentalists, performed the introit and procession hymn.
Mass begins
Entering in the procession was the honor guard: the Knights and Ladies of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, along with the Knights of Columbus Honor Guard Assembly 1200 from Madison.
Also in the procession, ahead of Bishop Robert C. Morlino, who was the principal celebrant, were diocesan seminarians and servers from Cathedral Parish in Madison, and concelebrating priests from the Diocese of Madison.
Mary Vroman from St. Joseph Parish in Baraboo and George Breadon from St. Clare of Assisi Parish in Brodhead and Monroe were the readers during Mass. Sue Gudenkauf from St. Dennis Parish in Madison was the interpreter for the hearing impaired.
Members of St. Maria Goretti Parish served as ushers and greeters.
Prior to the bishop’s homily, Transitional Deacon Christopher Gernetzke read the Gospel. He, along with Transitional Deacons Chahm Gahng and Tafadzwa Kushamba are preparing to be ordained to the priesthood in June.
In his homily, Bishop Morlino thanked everyone for coming.
“What a wonderful gathering representing all the parishes in the diocese,” he said. “So that we can pray together thanking God for the priesthood, for the Eucharist, and for the priesthood of all believers we share by Baptism.”
He also pointed out the presence in the church of a “cathedra,” or bishop’s chair, which is now being used in a symbolic way on special occasions when and where the bishop celebrates Mass. Its current home base is the chapel at the Bishop O’Connor Center in Madison.
The bishop then spoke of increased signs of the Culture of Death and the “deep, deep darkness of evil” in the world.
“We are here tonight because we are able to do something about that evil,” Bishop Morlino added. “We love the Sacred Chrism, especially as priests. We love the Oil of Catechumens. We love the Oil of the Sick. We love them because through them and through their use, light overcomes darkness, love overcomes hate, beauty overcomes the ugliness of sin and violence in our world.”
Renewal of Commitment and blessing of oils
Following Bishop Morlino’s homily was the Renewal of Commitment to Priestly Service.
Priests from the diocese stood up and renewed the promises they made at their ordinations, promised a resolve to be more united with Jesus, and promised a resolve not to seek any gain, but to be moved only by zeal for souls.
Following the prayer, the oils were brought to the bishop.
The Oil of the Catechumens was brought up by catechumens from St. Paul University Catholic Center in Madison. The Oil of the Sick was brought up by nurses from the diocese. The Sacred Chrism was brought up by members of St. Cecilia Parish in Wisconsin Dells — where a new church will begin to be built later this year.
The bread and wine were brought up by parishioners of Queen of All Saints Parish in Castle Rock, Fennimore, and Mt. Hope.
Mixing a perfume with the oil, Bishop Morlino blessed the Oil of the Sick and the Oil of the Catechumens and consecrated the Sacred Chrism, while “O Redeemer” was sung.
Following Communion, each parish was called forth by its vicariate to receive the oils, which were blessed and consecrated. They were used at each parish during the Easter Triduum and will be used throughout the year.
Following Mass, a reception was held in the parish hall with food prepared by Culinary Creations Catering, a job training program of the Catholic Multicultural Center in Madison.