The Chrism Mass...

...at a diocesan cathedral unites the priests of the diocese who come together to receive the holy oils that will be used through the next year for  baptisms and anointing the sick...

In what has become an annual tradition, a group of us will be at Westminster Cathedral's Chrism Mass (Tuesday 26th March, 12 noon) and at the Chrism Mass at St George's Cathedral, Southwark  (Wed March 27th, 11.30am) to greet the priests as they arrive, with a big banner saying "THANK YOU TO OUR PRIESTS" and little holy cards. This year's cards are yellow (Southwark) and cream (Westminster) and mention the Year of Faith and carry a Scriptural quotation:"Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and for ever". 

This tradition began in Southwark as an initiative of  two Catholic ladies, and then the Association of Catholic Women took it up, and organised it for Westminster...and then the Westminster ACW team was joined by the young people from St Patrick's, Soho Square...

We always value more supporters - and the Chrism Mass is beautiful, with glorious prayers...Westminster Cathedral's choir will be in fine voice and it is an unforgettable experience to crowd into the packed Mass and hear the Archbishop blessing the oils with prayers that recall the olive branch brought back to Noah by a dove, and all echoing with centuries of unbroken tradition...

This morning I was busy getting the cards printed, and at the weekend the ACW was rallying people...do come along and join us and show our priests that we value the service they give to God and the Church...