Building up the kingdom of God: Oils blessed and priesthood renewed at annual archdiocesan chrism Mass

Bishop Christopher J. Coyne, the auxiliary bishop and vicar general, ritually breathes on chrism oil that he then blessed on April 19 during the archdiocese’s annual chrism Mass at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis. Assisting Bishop Coyne are, from left, Father Patrick Beidelman, seminarian David Marcotte, transitional Deacon Dustin Boehm (partially obscured) and seminarian Michael Keucher. (Photos by Sean Gallagher)

By Sean Gallagher

On Holy Saturday night, hundreds of people were baptized and confirmed in parishes across central and southern Indiana during celebrations of the Easter Vigil—the most solemn and joyful liturgy in the Church year.

Those holy rites through which the Church welcomed its newest members were made possible through the blessing of holy oils that took place four days earlier on April 19 during the annual archdiocesan chrism Mass at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis. (See a photo gallery from this event)

Bishop Christopher J. Coyne was the principal celebrant at the Mass. The first auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis since 1933, Bishop Coyne wore the pectoral cross and episcopal ring, and used the crozier and chalice of the archdiocese’s last auxiliary bishop, Cardinal Joseph E. Ritter.

Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein, who continues to recuperate from a minor stroke that he suffered in March, was not present at the annual chrism Mass.

Bishop Coyne blessed the oil of the sick that is used in the sacrament of the anointing of the sick, the oil of the catechumens that is used in the sacrament of baptism and the sacred chrism oil that is used in the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and holy orders.

Representatives from parishes across central and southern Indiana came forward to receive the oils for their faith communities. After the Mass, they took the oils back to their parishes to be used in the celebration of the sacraments throughout the year—starting with the Easter Vigil.

“It’s humbling,” said Terry Wright, who received the oils for St. Joseph Parish in Clark County, where he is a member. “To be able to do this for so many good Catholics there in our parish is humbling.”

Wright was also pleased to receive the oils alongside Catholics from so many other parishes.

“You get to see the bigger Church,” he said. “You know that it’s more than our parish.”

Anita Back, a member of St. Martin Parish in Yorkville in the Batesville Deanery, attended the chrism Mass for the fourth time.

While she appreciated participating in the procession in which she received her parish’s oils, she was impressed by watching nearly 150 priests process into the cathedral at the start of the Mass.

“It’s the most beautiful thing you could ever see,” Back said.

Also participating in the liturgy were archdiocesan permanent deacons and deacon candidates, members of religious communities ministering in central and southern Indiana, and archdiocesan seminarians.

While many at the chrism Mass were born and raised in central and southern Indiana, others came to the archdiocese from places around the world.

Juan Carlos Olivera, who received the holy oils for his faith community, St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish in Indianapolis, came to Indiana from Mexico.

“I’ve come to get the oils for my parish, for those being baptized,” he said in Spanish. “It is for me the first time [at a chrism Mass]. It is very emotional for me.”

Franciscan Sister of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Merrita Mary is from India, and has ministered in the archdiocese for the past 13 years. She said attending the chrism Mass renews her in her ministry.

“I like to spread God’s word wherever I go,” Sister Merrita Mary said. “I am so happy to be here … to study at Marian University and work at St. Monica School [both in Indianapolis].”

With so many members of the archdiocesan family present for the solemn liturgy, the absence of Archbishop Buechlein was apparent. Bishop Coyne acknowledged it at the start of the Mass, and prayed for his recovery.

Back and Wright said that they have been praying for Archbishop Buechlein as well.

“We pray for him every weekend [at our parish], and I pray for him all week. Absolutely,” Back said.

At the same time, they were excited to worship with Bishop Coyne for the first time since he was ordained to the episcopate on March 2.

“It’s exciting to see the new auxiliary bishop,” Wright said. “Every time that I’ve been to a Mass where there’s been a bishop, their homilies have just been inspiring. The men who become bishops are really blessed.”

In his homily at the chrism Mass, Bishop Coyne encouraged his listeners to have an “attitude adjustment,” and become more consciously grateful for “God’s offer of salvation in and through Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.

“Our positive Christian attitude, our attitude of gratitude, is so important if we are to be the leaven for the world, if we are to build up the kingdom of God,” Bishop Coyne said. “No one wants to join a Church if everyone is dour and gloomy.

“Think about it. ‘Look at these people. They seem so dull and boring and sad. Let’s worship here! This ought to really help us get through the week!’ ”

Bishop Coyne also addressed the priests at the chrism Mass before they renewed the promises they made when they were ordained.

“While [renewing those promises], try and recall the joy, the energy, the hope, the conviction that you felt the first time that you made these vows at your priestly ordination,” Bishop Coyne said. “Mine was almost 25 years ago, but I can still remember how eager I was and how encouraged I was to be a good priest.

“That eagerness may have faded a bit over the years, but the commitment is still there. I suspect many of you can say the same.”

One man attending the chrism Mass who will make those promises soon is transitional Deacon Dustin Boehm, a member of Our Lady of the Greenwood Parish in Greenwood. He will be ordained to the priesthood on June 4 at the cathedral.

As he listened to the priests renewing those promises, he felt grateful for their ministry to him over the years.

“These were the men that, for my entire life, have been responsible in either a direct or indirect way for raising me in the faith and giving me the Eucharist that sustains me, and baptizing me and confirming me—instilling in me a good example of priestly life,” Deacon Boehm said. “I was very grateful and was praying for these men who, very soon, I’ll be able to call brothers.”

Seminarian Douglas Hunter, a member of St. Joan of Arc Parish in Indianapolis, is still four years away from his ordination.

A few years ago, he attended the archdiocesan chrism Mass while still discerning if God was asking him to become a seminarian.

Hunter said that participating in the liturgy helped in his discernment, and continues to help him as he moves forward in his priestly formation.

“The chrism Mass is a family affair,” Hunter said. “We all come to the altar of God. And we’re all able to celebrate this holy Eucharist. Everyone. From the priests to the bishop to all the laity together. We’re all able to be here as one group of people celebrating the love of Christ.” †