Chrism Mass
Chrism Mass
Chrism Mass
IMPORTANT NOTE: Since all Episcopal Conference at the present time have NOT requested/received
approval for the revised translation of the Blessing of the Holy Oils (distinct from the approval of the
Roman Missal), both the revised and the former translations have been provided for the text fof the
blessings. To simplify matters, however, the translation of the rubrics followed the revised translation.
We remind the users of the iPad and iPhone applications that one can return to the top of the screen of
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to a given section of the Order of the Mass.
(Please note: numbers in the index do not correspond with numbering of paragraphs in the Order of the
Mass)
INTRODUCTORY RITES
1. Greeting
2. Penitential Act
a. Form A
b. Form B
c. Form C
3. Lord have mercy
4. Glory to God
5. Opening Prayer
CONCLUDING RITES
29. Blessing
30. [Pontifical Blessing]
31. Dismissal
For the blessing of the Oils, in addition to what is necessary for Mass, the following must be prepared:
In the sanctuary:
(1) a table on which the vessels of oil are to be placed, to be arranged in such a way that the entire
sacred action may be seen clearly by the people and that they may participate in it;
(2) a faldstool for the Bishop, if the blessing takes place in front of the altar.
The Chrism Mass is always a concelebrated Mass. Moreover, it is desirable that among the Priests who
concelebrate with the Bishop and are his representatives and assistants in the ministering of holy
Chrism, there be Priests from the different areas of the diocese.
The preparation of the Bishop, the concelebrants and other ministers and their entry into the church, as
well as all that happens from the beginning of Mass to the end of the Liturgy of the Word, is carried out
as indicated in the rite of concelebration. Deacons who have a part in the blessing of the Oils process to
the altar ahead of the can celebrating Priests.
The blessing of the Oil of the Sick and of the Oil of Catechumens and the consecration of the Chrism are
carried out by the Bishop, according to the Rite described in the Roman Pontifical, usually on this day, at
a proper Mass to be celebrated during the morning.
If, however, it is very difficult for the clergy and the people to gather with the Bishop on this day, the
Chrism Mass may be anticipated on another day, but near to Easter.
This Mass, which the Bishop concelebrates with his presbyterate, should be, as it were, a manifestation
of the Priests’ communion with their Bishop. Accordingly it is desirable that all the Priests participate in
it, insofar as is possible, and during it receive Communion even under both kinds. To signify the unity of
the presbyterate of the diocese, the Priests who concelebrate with the Bishop should be from different
regions of the diocese.
In accord with traditional practice, the blessing of the Oil of the Sick takes place before the end of the
Eucharistic Prayer, but the blessing of the Oil of Catechumens and the consecration of the Chrism take
place after Communion. Nevertheless, for pastoral reasons, it is permitted for the entire rite of blessing
to take place after the Liturgy of the Word.
1. When the people are gathered, the Bishop approaches the altar with the ministers while the Entrance
Chant is sung.
Rev 1: 6
Jesus Christ has made us into a kingdom, priests for his God and Father.
To him be glory and power for ever and ever. Amen
When he has arrived at the altar, after making a profound bow with the ministers, the Bishop venerates
the altar with a kiss and, if appropriate, incenses the cross and the altar. Then, with the ministers, he
goes to the chair.
When the Entrance Chant is concluded, the Bishop and the faithful, standing, sign themselves with the
Sign of the Cross, while the Priest, facing the people, says:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
2. Then the Bishop, extending his hands, greets the people, saying:
Or:
Or:
The Bishop, or a Deacon, or another minister, may very briefly introduce the faithful to the Mass of the
day.
PENITENTIAL ACT
Then follows the Penitential Act, to which the Bishop invites the faithful, saying:
A brief pause for silence follows. Then all recite together the formula of general confession:
Amen.
Or:
The Bishop:
The people:
Amen.
Or:
The Priest, Deacon or another minister, then says the following or other invocations with Kyrie,
eleison (Lord, have mercy):
The Deacon:
The people:
The Deacon:
You are seated at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us:
Lord, have mercy. (Or: Kyrie, eleison.)
The Deacon:
Amen.
7. The Kyrie eleison (Lord, have mercy) invocations follow, unless they have just occurred in a formula of
the Penitential Act.
Or:
V. Kyrie, eleison.
R. Kyrie, eleison.
V. Christe, eleison.
R. Christe, eleison.
V. Kyrie, eleison.
R. Kyrie, eleison.
When this hymn is concluded, the Bishop, with hands joined, says:
Let us pray.
Then the Bishop, with hands extended, says the Collect prayer,
O God, who anointed your Only Begotten Son with the Holy Spirit
and made him Christ and Lord,
graciously grant
that, being made sharers in his consecration,
we may bear witness to your Redemption in the world.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever..
Amen.
Then the reader goes to the ambo and reads the First Reading, while all sit and listen.
FIRST READING
The LORD anointed me and sent me to bring glad tidings to the lowly, and to give them oil of gladness.
All reply:
Thanks be to God.
The psalmist or cantor sings or says the Psalm, with the people making the response.
After this, if there is to be a Second Reading, a reader reads it from the ambo, as above.
SECOND READING
Rev 1:5-8
Christ has made us into a Kingdom, priests for his God and Father.
[Grace to you and peace] from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness,
the firstborn of the dead and ruler of the kings of the earth.
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his Blood,
who has made us into a Kingdom, priests for his God and Father,
to him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen.
All reply:
Thanks be to God.
13. There follows the another chant laid down by the rubrics, as the liturgical time requires.
Meanwhile, if incense is used, the Bishop puts some into the thurible. After this, the Deacon who is to
proclaim the Gospel, or in his absence, a concelebrant, bowing profoundly before the Bishop, asks for
the blessing, saying in a low voice:
The Deacon signs himself with the Sign of the Cross and replies:
Amen.
The Deacon, or the Priest, then proceeds to the ambo, accompanied, if appropriate, by ministers with
incense and candles. There he says:
and, at the same time, he makes the Sign of the Cross on the book and on his forehead, lips, and breast.
Then the Deacon, or the Priest, incenses the book, if incense is used, and proclaims the Gospel.
Luke 22:14-23
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because of which he has anointed me.
Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down,
and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him.
He said to them,
“Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.
All reply:
Then he takes the book to the Bishop, who kisses it, saying quietly:
After the reading of the Gospel, the Bishop preaches the Homily in which, taking his
starting point from the text of the readings proclaimed in the Liturgy of the Word, he
speaks to the people and to his Priests about priestly anointing, urging the Priests to be
faithful in their office and calling on them to renew publicly their priestly promises.
After the Homily, the Bishop speaks with the Priests in these or similar words.
Beloved sons,
on the anniversary of that day
when Christ our Lord conferred his priesthood
on his Apostles and on us,
are you resolved to renew
in the presence of your Bishop and God’s holy people,
the promises you once made?
The Priests, all together, respond: I am.
Priests: I am.
Priests: I am.
All: Amen.
Then follows the Universal Prayer, that is, the Prayer of the Faithful or Bidding Prayers.
After the Universal Prayer or Prayer of the Faithful, the Deacons and ministers designated to carry the
Oils, or in their absence, a number of Priests and ministers, along with the faithful who carry the bread
and wine with water, approach in due order the sacristy or place where the Oils and the other offerings
have been prepared.
Returning to the altar, they follow this order: first the minister carrying the vessel of fragrances (if the
Bishop intends to prepare the Chrism himself); then another minister with the vessel of the Oil of
Catechumens (if it is to be blessed); then another with the vessel of the Oil of the Sick. The oil for the
Chrism is carried in the last place by a Deacon or Priest. Following these come the ministers who carry
the bread, wine, and 'water for the celebration of the Eucharist.
As the procession moves through the church, the schola or choir, with everyone responding, chants the
hymn O Redemptor, or another suitable chant in place of the Offertory Chant.
Revised Translation
R. O Redeemer, hear the anthem
which your people gathered sing
When they have reached the altar or the seat, the Bishop receives the gifts.
The Deacon carrying the vessel for the sacred Chrism shows it to the Bishop, saying in a loud voice: The
oil for the holy Chrism. The Bishop accepts it and gives it to one of his assisting Deacons, who places it
on the table that has been prepared. The same is done by those who carry the vessels for the Oil of the
Sick and the Oil of Catechumens. The first says: The Oil of the Sick; then the other says: The Oil of
Catechumens. These are received in the same way by the Bishop and placed by the ministers on the
table that has been prepared.
Then the Mass continues as in the rite of concelebration until the end of the Eucharistic Prayer, unless
the entire rite of blessing is to take place immediately.
When the entire rite of blessing of the holy Oils is to take place following upon the Liturgy of the Word,
the Bishop, at the conclusion of the Universal Prayer or Prayer of the Faithful, approaches with the
concelebrants the table where the blessing of the Oil of the Sick and of the Oil of Catechumens and the
consecration of the Chrism are to take place, and then everything is done in the manner described in its
proper place.
The Bishop, standing at the altar, takes the paten with the bread and holds it slightly raised above the
altar with both hands, saying in a low voice:
Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation,
for through your goodness we have received
the bread we offer you:
fruit of the earth and work of human hands,
it will become for us the bread of life.
If, however, the Offertory Chant is not sung, the Bishop may speak these words aloud; at the end, the
people may acclaim:
The Deacon, or the Bishop, pours wine and a little water into the chalice, saying quietly:
The Bishop then takes the chalice and holds it slightly raised above the altar with both hands, saying in a
low voice:
If, however, the Offertory Chant is not sung, the Bishop may speak these words aloud; at the end, the
people may acclaim:
Then the Bishop, standing at the side of the altar, washes his hands, saying quietly:
Standing at the middle of the altar, facing the people, extending and then joining his hands, he says:
30. Then the Bishop, with hands extended, says the Prayer over the Offerings,
Amen.
The people:
The people:
At the end of the Preface, he joins his hands and concludes the Preface with the people, singing or
saying aloud:
32. In all Masses, the Bishop is permitted to sing parts of the Eucharistic Prayer provided with musical
notation below, especially the principal parts.
In Eucharistic Prayer I, the Roman Canon, the words included in brackets may be omitted.
The other Eucharistic Prayers may be found under the appropriate tab in the iBreviary. The Blessing of
the Oil of the Sick is done before the doxology, unless it has already taken place after the Universal
Prayer, or Prayer of the Faithful
He makes the Sign of the Cross once over the bread and chalice together, saying:
The Priest joins his hands and all pray briefly for those for whom they intend to pray. Then, with
hands extended, he continues:
The Bishop and all concelebrants, holding their hands extended toward the offerings, say:
In the formulas that follow, the words of the Lord should be pronounced clearly and distinctly, as the
nature of these words requires.
The Bishop takes the bread and, holding it slightly raised above the altar, continues:
He bows slightly. Each concelebrant extends his right hand toward the bread, if this seems
appropriate.
The Bishop shows the consecrated host to the people, places it again on the paten, and genuflects in
adoration. The concelebrants join their hands, look toward the consecrated host as it is shown, and
after this bow profoundly.
The Bishop takes the chalice and, holds it slightly raised above the altar:
He bows slightly. Each concelebrant extends his right hand toward the chalice, if this seems
appropriate.
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT,
The Bishop shows the chalice to the people, places it on the corporal, and genuflects in adoration. The
concelebrants join their hands, look toward the chalice as it is shown, and after this bow profoundly.
Or:
Or:
Then the Bishop and the concelebrants, with hands extended, say:
Therefore, O Lord,
as we celebrate the memorial of the blessed Passion,
the Resurrection from the dead,
and the glorious Ascension into heaven
of Christ, your Son, our Lord,
we, your servants and your holy people,
offer to your glorious majesty
from the gifts that you have given us,
this pure victim,
this holy victim,
this spotless victim,
the holy Bread of eternal life
and the Chalice of everlasting salvation.
They stands upright again and sign themselves with the Sign of the Cross, saying:
He joins his hands and all pray briefly for those who have died and for whom they intend to pray.
Then, with hands extended, he continues:
All strikes their breast with the right hand as another concelebrant or the Bishop says:
Revised translation:
The conclusion Who lives and reigns ... is said only when this blessing takes place
outside of the Eucharistic Prayer.
[iBreviary note: if all the holy Oils are blessed after the Universal Prayer, or Prayer of the Faithful, click
here to go to the rite for the Blessing of the Oil of Catechumens]
At the end of the blessing, the vessel containing the Oil of the Sick is restored to its place and the Mass
continues, up to and including Communion. Click here to continue with the Eucharistic Prayer.
Former translation:
Make this oil a remedy for all who are anointed with it;
heal them in body, in soul, and in spirit,
and deliver them from every affliction.
The conclusion Who lives and reigns is said only when this blessing takes place outside of the Eucharistic
Prayer.
[iBreviary note: if all the holy Oils are blessed after the Universal Prayer, or Prayer of the Faithful, click
here to go to the rite for the Blessing of the Oil of Catechumens]
At the end of the blessing, the vessel containing the Oil of the Sick is restored to its place and the Mass
continues, up to and including Communion.
Through whom
you continue to make all these good things, O Lord;
you sanctify them, fill them with life,
bless them, and bestow them upon us.
The Bishop raises the paten with the host, and the Deacon, or in his absence, one of the
concelebrants, raises the chalice, while the Bishop alone, or with all the concelebrants, says:
Amen.
After the chalice and paten have been set down, the Bishop, with hands joined, says:
Amen.
The Bishop, turned towards the people, extending and then joining his hands, adds:
And all offer one another a sign, in keeping with local customs, that expresses peace, communion, and
charity. The Bishop gives the sign of peace to a Deacon or minister and some of the
concelebrants. Those concelebrants nearer the principal celebrant receive the Sign of Peace from him
before the Deacon does.
Then the Bishop takes the Host, breaks it over the paten. The Deacons or some of the concelebrants
may help the principal celebrant to break the Hosts for the Communion of both the concelebrants and
the peope. The Bishop places a small piece in the chalice, saying quietly:
The invocation may even be repeated several times if the fraction is prolonged. Only the final time,
however, is grant us peace said.
Or:
Once the prayer for Communion has been said, the Bishop genuflects and steps back a little.
Then one after another the concelebrants come to the middle of the altar, genuflect, and reverently
take the Body of Christ from the altar. Then holding it in their right hand, with the left hand placed
underneath, they return to their places.
However, the concelebrants may remain in their places and take the Body of Christ from the paten held
for them by the principal celebrant or held by one or more of the concelebrants passing in front of them,
or they may do so by handing the paten one to another, and so to the last of them.
The Bishop takes the host and, holding it slightly raised above the paten or above the chalice, while
facing the people, says aloud:
After this, he takes the paten or ciborium and approaches the communicants. The Bishop raises a host
slightly and shows it to each of the communicants, saying:
If any are present who are to receive Holy Communion under both kinds, the rite described in the
proper place is to be followed.
The concelebrants approach the altar one after another or, if two chalices are used, two by two. They
genuflect, partake of the Blood of Christ, wipe the rim of the chalice, and return to their seats.
However, the following may also be followed. The principal celebrant consumes the Blood of the Lord
standing as usual at the middle of the altar. The concelebrants may partake of the Blood of the Lord
while remaining in their places and drinking from the chalice presented to them by the Deacon or by
one of the concelebrants, or even passed from one to the other. The chalice is always wiped either by
the one who drinks from it or by the one who presents it. After each has communicated, he returns to
his seat.
The Communion of the concelebrants may also be arranged in such a way that each communicates from
the Body of the Lord at the altar and, immediately afterwards, from the Blood of the Lord.
In this case the principal celebrant receives Communion under both kinds in the usual way observing,
however, the rite chosen in each particular instance for Communion from the chalice; and the other
concelebrants should do the same.
After the principal celebrant’s Communion, the chalice is placed at the side of the altar on another
corporal. The concelebrants approach the middle of the altar one by one, genuflect, and communicate
from the Body of the Lord; then they move to the side of the altar and partake of the Blood of the Lord,
following the rite chosen for Communion from the chalice, as has been remarked above.
If the concelebrants’ Communion is by intinction, the principal celebrant partakes of the Body and Blood
of the Lord in the usual way, but making sure that enough of the precious Blood remains in the chalice
for the Communion of the concelebrants. Then the Deacon, or one of the concelebrants, arranges the
chalice together with the paten containing particles of the host, if appropriate, either in the center of
the altar or at the side on another corporal.
The concelebrants approach the altar one by one, genuflect, and take a particle, intinct it partly into the
chalice, and, holding a purificator under their mouth, consume the intincted particle. They then return
to their places as at the beginning of Mass.
The Deacon also receives Communion by intinction and to the concelebrant’s words, Corpus et Sanguis
Christi (The Body and Blood of Christ) replies, Amen.
Moreover, the Deacon consumes at the altar all that remains of the Precious Blood, assisted, if the case
requires, by some of the concelebrants. He carries the chalice to the credence table and there he or a
duly instituted acolyte purifies it, wipes it, and arranges it as usual.
While the Bishop is receiving the Body of Christ, the Communion Chant begins.
Ps 89 (88):2
When the distribution of Communion is over, a Priest, Deacon or an acolyte purifies the paten over the
chalice and also the chalice itself.
The Bishop may return to the chair. If appropriate, a sacred silence may be observed for a while, or a
psalm or other canticle of praise or a hymn may be sung.
Then, standing at the altar or at the chair and facing the people, with hands joined, the Bishop says:
Let us pray.
All pray in silence with the Priest for a while, unless silence has just been observed. Then the Priest, with
hands extended, says the Prayer after Communion
Amen.
Revised translation
Following the Prayer after Communion, the vessels containing the Oils to be blessed are placed by the
ministers on a suitably positioned table in the middle of the sanctuary. The Bishop, surrounded on both
sides by concelebrating Priests in a curved formation, with the other ministers standing behind him,
proceeds to the blessing of the Oil of Catechumens (if it is to be blessed), and then to the consecration
of the Chrism.
When everything has been arranged as described, the Bishop, standing facing towards the people, with
hands extended, says the following prayer:
Then the Bishop pours the fragrances into the Oil and makes the Chrism, unless this has been prepared
previously. He does so without saying anything.
Then the Bishop, if appropriate, breathes upon the opening of the vessel containing the Chrism and,
with hands extended, says one or other of the following prayers of consecration:
All the concelebrants extend their right hand towards the Chrism until the end of the prayer, without
saying anything.
Or this prayer:
All the concelebrants extend their right hand towards the Chrism until the end of the prayer, without
saying anything.
Former translation
Following the Prayer after Communion, the vessels containing the Oils to be blessed are placed by the
ministers on a suitably positioned table in the middle of the sanctuary. The Bishop, surrounded on both
sides by concelebrating Priests in a curved formation, with the other ministers standing behind him,
proceeds to the blessing of the Oil of Catechumens (if it is to be blessed), and then to the consecration
of the Chrism.
When everything has been arranged as described, the Bishop, standing facing towards the people, with
hands extended, says the following prayer:
Lord God,
protector of all who believe in you,
bless + this oil
and give wisdom and strength
to all who are anointed with it
in preparation for their baptism.
Bring them to a deeper understanding of the gospel,
help them to accept the challenge of Christian living,
and lead them to the joy of new birth
in the family of your Church.
Through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
Then the Bishop pours the fragrances into the Oil and makes the Chrism, unless this has been prepared
previously. He does so without saying anything.
Having done this, he calls upon those present to pray:
Let us pray
that God our almighty Father
will bless this oil
so that all who are anointed with it
may be inwardly transformed
and come to share in eternal salvation.
Then the Bishop, if appropriate, breathes upon the opening of the vessel containing the Chrism and,
with hands extended, says one or other of the following prayers of consecration:
At your command,
Aaron was washed with water,
and your servant Moses, his brother,
anointed him priest.
This too foreshadowed greater things to come.
After your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
asked John for baptism in the waters of Jordan,
you sent the Spirit upon him
in the form of a dove
and by the witness of your own voice
you declared him to be your only, well-beloved Son.
In this you clearly fulfilled the prophecy of David,
that Christ would be anointed with the oil of gladness
beyond his fellow men.
All the concelebrants extend their right hand towards the Chrism until the end of the prayer, without
saying anything.
And so, Father, we ask you to bless + this oil you have created.
Fill it with the power of your Holy Spirit
through Christ your Son.
It is from him that chrism takes its name
and with chrism you have anointed
for yourself priests and kings,
prophets and martyrs.
Or this prayer:
Father,
we thank you for the gifts
you have given us in your love:
we thank you for the life itself and for the Sacraments
that strengthen it and give it fuller meaning.
All the concelebrants extend their right hand towards the Chrism until the end of the prayer, without
saying anything.
If they are necessary, any brief announcements to the people follow here.
Then the dismissal takes place. The celebrant receives the miter and, extending his hands, says:
All reply:
All reply:
All reply:
Then the celebrant receives the pastoral staff, if he uses it, and says:
making the Sign of the Cross over the people three times, he adds:
All: Amen.
Then the Deacon with hands joined and facing the people, says:
Or:
Or:
Go in peace.
Thanks be to God.
Then the Bishop venerates the altar as usual with a kiss, as at the beginning. After making a profound
bow with the ministers, he withdraws.
In the vesting room, it is appropriate for the Bishop to instruct the Priests on the care and honor due to
the sacred Oils and on diligently keeping them safe.
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