Archbishop Golka Encourages Archdiocesan Priests at First Annual Chrism Mass

Denver’s new archbishop encouraged priests to unite themselves to Jesus and called on the faithful to pray for their spiritual fathers during the special archdiocesan liturgy.

Denver Archbishop James Golka pours Chrism essence into olive oil before praying a consecration prayer over what will become Sacred Chrism during the annual Chrism Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. (Photo by Anya Semenoff/Denver Catholic)

At the start of Holy Week, Archbishop James Golka and priests from across Northern Colorado gathered at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver on Tuesday for the annual Chrism Mass.

What is a Chrism Mass? Why does the Chrism Mass matter?

As an annual archdiocesan liturgy, the Chrism Mass includes two unique and important elements, Archbishop Golka explained: the blessing of holy oils and the renewal of priestly promises.

“Today is a unique and a blessed liturgy. As priests, we renew our promises, and I pray that the grace and gift are stirred up again inside of each one of us to be filled with joy and generous service of God and God's people. What a great way to live,” he said in his homily.

Similar to the faithful’s renewal of baptismal promises each Easter Vigil, ordained priests are called to renew and recommit themselves to the promises they made at their ordinations each year at the Chrism Mass, which almost always takes place during Holy Week. This recommittal to promises of prayer, obedience and service means all the more for those priests celebrating milestone anniversaries, who are also honored during this liturgy, which intentionally takes place at the height of the Church’s liturgical year, as we prepare to enter into a period of remembrance and reflection on Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection. From that central event, the Paschal Mystery, flows the Church, her sacraments and her priesthood.

During the same Chrism Mass each year, the archbishop blesses oil that will be used in sacraments throughout the archdiocese over the following year. With special prayers deeply rooted in Scripture, the archbishop prays over the Oil of the Sick (used in the Anointing of the Sick), the Oil of Catechumens (used as adults convert to the Catholic Church), and the Sacred Chrism (used in Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Orders), asking the Holy Spirit to come and bless them so that they might bring God’s grace to those who receive them.

“And as a diocese, we bless and consecrate holy oils, which will be used as mediums of God's grace in so many wonderful ways,” he continued, encouraging those gathered to call to mind all that would be anointed with the oils.

Noting that neither the liturgy nor the Scriptures are for the past, mere “history books, story books” or “play-acting,” Archbishop Golka exhorted Massgoers to encounter the “in-breaking of God’s Word and God’s way into our world and into our lives,” especially as Holy Week commences.

“Just as in that synagogue 2000 years ago, Jesus wishes to fulfill something right now, right here in you and in me,” he emphasized. “So we simply let him do that.”

Archbishop Golka greets Massgoers following the Chrism Mass.

Archbishop Golka prays over the Sacred Chrism.

Archbishop Golka blows into the Sacred Chrism, an act symbolizing the breath of the Holy Spirit.

Archbishop Golka pours Chrism essence into what will become Sacred Chrism.

What will become the three sacred oils sit in ornate pitchers before Mass.

Archbishop Golka celebrated his first Chrism Mass

Archbishop Golka blesses Massgoers at the end of the annual Chrism Mass.

In his homily, the new Denver archbishop encouraged faithful to pray for their priests.

The archbishop reminded priests of their spiritual unity with each other in Jesus Christ.

A member of the faithful presents Archbishop Golka with one of the sacred oils.

In his homily, the archbishop reminded the faithful that Jesus wants to work in their lives today.

Archbishop Golka incenses the altar during the annual Chrism Mass.

(Photos by Anya Semenoff/Denver Catholic)

A Holy Priesthood in Jesus

Turning to the priests gathered for the special annual liturgy, Archbishop Golka reminded the clerics of what they share and in whom they share it: the priesthood of Jesus Christ.

“It's not my priesthood, it's not yours, it is Jesus. He has called you to share in his gift of being a priest. That means that we have a supernatural bond,” he shared. “It means that all the important things we do as priests are not because of what we're good at or not good at them; it’s because of what Jesus wants to do in and through our faithful, imperfect service. It's an incredible gift of the Catholic Church.”

The lofty calling to join Jesus in his high priesthood was never straightforward or simple, but modern difficulties seem to make the vocation even more challenging. Even still, Archbishop Golka encouraged, we ought to depend on Jesus and each other.

“These are beautiful and very difficult times. I know the pressure of being a priest at this time. I invite you to lean on the supernatural gift of the priesthood of Jesus Christ. If you could see that bond right now around you, it's real. We would be strengthened in a way that we can never be alone. Depend upon our Lord in that,” he said, noting God’s providence in calling us to be alive and to serve him in this apostolic age. “He has called you to the priesthood in the midst of crisis and joy, and God has equipped us with every gift we need, both natural and supernatural.”

Turning to the faithful gathered at the Cathedral Basilica, in a brief word in Spanish, Archbishop Golka asked for continued prayers for the priests of the archdiocese, and for himself.

“The Hispanic community taught me how important it is to pray for your priests. On this day, when your priests are going to renew their promises, their lives as priests, it’s so important to pray for them,” the archbishop said. “If he is going to receive Christ with all of his heart and all of his life, Christ can transform his life as a priest, and Christ can help him, help us, to be priests in Jesus Christ.”

And with the faithful’s prayers behind them, the priests of the archdiocese and beyond will be a holy, evangelizing force to be reckoned with.

Put simply, Archbishop Golka concluded, “that can change everything.”