The annual Mass of Chrism will take place at St Mary’s Cathedral, Coulby Newham on Tuesday at 12 noon.

(The webmaster writes, ‘This is one of the great events in our calendar and is always well-attended. Please arrive in good time and park with care.’)

During the Mass Bishop Terry will bless the oil of catechumens, the oil of the sick, and the oil of chrism. We use the first for adult catechumens and infants, the second for anointing the sick, and the sacred oil of chrism for baptism, confirmation, the ordination of priests, and the consecration of altars. Traditionally the oil used is olive oil scented with balsam; in Old Testament times balsam was used to anoint both kings and prophets. The word Hebrew word ‘messiah’ means ‘the anointed one’. The Greek translation of this word is ‘Christos’.

The oil used to baptise and confirm, to bless the sick or to mark those received into the Church is a symbol of the Bishop’s presence. The Mass of Chrism symbolises our union as a Christian community with our own Bishop and with all those who are to be anointed in the coming year.