By Evelyn Jock
Chrism Mass is celebrated annually during the season of Lent, whereby the priests renewed their priestly promises and the oils used for anointing during the Sacrament of Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Order and the Extreme Unction are being blessed by the Bishop. This year, the celebration of Chrism Mass was held on Wednesday, 9 March 2022 at the Cathedral. Bishop Julius Dusin Gitom, Bishop of the Diocese of Sandakan celebrated Chrism Mass at the St. Mary’s Cathedral, after the gathering of all the parish priests of the Sandakan Diocese, at the priests’ meeting.
In his Lordship’s homily, he shared that the Covid-19 virus has changed the religious and social lives of the faithful and that the society as a whole, is beginning to adapt and live with the virus. The liturgical celebration of the church during Sunday masses and the liturgical rites during this year’s Easter Triduum would continue to be celebrated with the physical participation of a limited number of faithful while other parishioners would have to virtually follow all the liturgical rites from home.
Bishop Julius also stated that although the Churches have opened, there are still many restrictions and SOPs that have to be observed. He explained that the celebration of the sacraments such as infant baptism, marriages, confession could only be done after prior appointments with the priest, and subject to Covid test. He mentioned that the virus has struck at the very heart of the ministry of the priests, curtailing the outreach to the peripheral areas of the diocese, visits to the hospitals, the elderly, the sick, and the dying and hindering them to draw closer to the bereaved families. Bishop Julius urged all the priests to be courageous and continue to be zealous in their ministry, and draw strength from the inexhaustible grace of God. He also encouraged them to continue to be servants of the gospel and to undertake this ministry of love. He stressed that despite the uncertainties, difficulties and frustration, the priests need to reaffirm their vocations to the priesthood, renew their promises and commitment and they would certainly find strength from the Lord to move on and refresh their resolve to serve the lord’s flock.
The chrism mass reminds the priests of their core ministry to be stewards of the mysteries of God and that they are ordained to offer the Holy Eucharist for the redemption of God’s faithful and the world. The priests celebrate this holy sacrifice of the Lord daily, to enhance and strengthen their resolve to serve the Lord.
It is unusual to serve the mass with the presence of a very few people but they are beginning to accept the reality in the world today. Even with very few people in the celebration of the Eucharist, the sacrifice of the mass continues to be effective in their lives. The Eucharist is the source and summit of the church activities and certainly our Christian life, as mentioned in the Sandakan Diocese “Vision and Mission”. The chrism mass also reminds the priests that they are ordained as shepherd and the Synodal process currently practiced in the parishes and diocese is not only a reminder that they are a part of the universal church but a reminder that they are delegated by Christ to shepherd his flock and therefore they also know that they are to be the catalyst of unity encouraging the people to journey together, learn and to listen to one another and in this way they strengthen each other in their journey towards God. In the moment of crisis like this, the calling as priest remains strong.
Bishop Julius thanked all the priests for all that they have been doing and that under the most difficult circumstances they had continued to be faithful and did their best to serve the people of God. He also thanked all the faithful for their prayers throughout the years. He asked all the faithful to continue to pray for the priests to remain strong, committed and faithful to their calling. He urged everyone to move on together and ask the Lord to accompany all in their journey.