By Evelyn Jock
Once every year, Rt. Rev. Bishop Julius Dusin Gitom concelebrates Chrism Mass with his brother priests. On 27 March 2025, priests from the various parishes of the Diocese of Sandakan gathered at St. Mary’s Cathedral to celebrate God’s gifts of the priesthood and the Eucharist following a three-days priest meeting. The Chrism Mass should be celebrated in the morning hours of Holy Thursday, however, due to pastoral reasons, it is held earlier before the Holy Week. Parishioners were delighted to witness altar server, readers, seminarian, deacon, priests and Bishop walking into the cathedral accompanied by the choir singing the hymn “Priestly People”.
The prelate shared that Chrism mass was a special celebration. We have all come together to praise and thank the Lord for the gifts of the priesthood and the eucharist, which are closely related to one another. All baptised persons are able to share in the ministry of Jesus, the main points being, to teach and pray. The Ministry of the Priesthood are related to those ordained persons who share the priesthood of Christ in a special way. These are called the Ministers or Priests. Only the priests can celebrate the Eucharist, the divine wisdom that God has given to the church so that the ministry of Christ can be perpetuated in the church. The eucharist sustains the lives of the Church.
The Chrism mass also expressed the unity and communion of the priests when they renew their solemn commitment of service to the priesthood. It is also during this mass, that the Oils are blessed, i.e., the Oil of the Sick, Oil of the Catechumen and the Consecration of Chrism. Bishop Julius explained that the blessing of these oils during the Chrism Mass is closely related to the priesthood ministry. We remember those who are preparing for baptism, those going to receive the Sacrament of confirmation, and those in need of the anointing of the sick. These oils will later be taken back to the respective parishes of the diocese by the priests in attendance during the mass.
Bishop Julius urged the congregation to support, pray for him and all the parish priests in imitating Christ, the Good Shepherd. He also asked for patience in their ministry, to be men of prayer, faithful, remaining holy and in unity with the Good Shepherd. To his brother priests, he reminded that they have been chosen by Jesus to be in his service and that they are important to God’s plan. He encouraged them to serve the people of God, be joyful in their service, be in close relationship to God in prayer, be strong when they encounter challenges and endeavour to continue searching for holiness.
