Holy Week: Bishop Deeley Celebrates Mass of the Oils

HOULTON--Just over 24 hours after the Chrism Mass and about 250 miles away, Bishop Robert Deeley celebrated the Mass of the Oils at St. Mary of the Visitation Church in Houlton gathered with priests, deacons, and parishioners from northern and eastern Maine parishes (many pictures below).

During the Mass, held traditionally on the Wednesday of Holy Week, oils that will be used in the sacraments during the upcoming year were distributed to priests to take back to their communities. The oil of the sick is used to anoint the sick, the oil of the catechumens is used for baptism, and the sacred chrism is used for baptism, confirmation, ordinations, as well as the consecration of altars and churches. The oils were blessed and the chrism consecrated by Bishop Deeley during the Chrism Mass held on Tuesday in Portland. The full story and pictures from the Chrism Mass can be found here. 

Bishop Deeley was happy to be with the clergy and faithful in the north on Wednesday, continuing the long custom in the Diocese of Portland of the bishop carrying the oils north the day after the Chrism Mass.

“How grateful we are that we have come together, bishop, priests, deacons, consecrated and lay people, as we mark this special day when we carry the oils to you in the north of our beautiful state,” said the bishop during his homily. “In this Mass, we will also happily witness our treasured priests renew their priestly commitment.”

Like at Tuesday’s Chrism Mass, priests gathered at Wednesday’s Mass renewed their priestly promises made at their ordinations.

“My brother priests, this is a joyful celebration for you and me. It is a privilege for us to gather as the whole Church and remind ourselves of our solidarity in the work of the Lord as we receive the oils which will be such an important part of our ministries of life and grace and consolation during the year,” Bishop Deeley said. “Every day, we need to be with the Lord praying, as we do today, that the anointing we received at ordination be renewed in us, so that we may be transformed and not worn down by routine, exhaustion, loneliness, illness, and anything else that may weigh on us.”

The bishop told the priests that Jesus calls them to be “apostles and missionaries,” and the world is in great need of their service.

“Our people need us right now in these times of open conflict in the world, these times of social change and division in our own country, these times in which the world is struggling for a new way of living after the pandemic. Is that not why we were anointed with the Holy Chrism and sent out to ‘bring good news to the poor’ just as Jesus did himself? This is why he called us to be his priests.”

Bishop Deeley asked the priests to be faithful to prayer so that all people they encounter will find an authentic witness of the mystery of Christ. The bishop pointed out that the church on Wednesday night, St. Mary of the Visitation, is a great reminder that Mary is a powerful intercessor.

“Let us place ourselves in her care and ask her to help us through her intercession to trust in God’s love,” said the bishop. “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.”

Bishop Deeley will return to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland for the Holy Thursday Celebration of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper (7 p.m.), the Celebration of Our Lord’s Passion on Good Friday (7 p.m.), the Easter Vigil Mass on Saturday (8 p.m.), and the celebration of the Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord on Easter Sunday (10 a.m.). All of the Masses and services at the Cathedral will also be livestreamed. 

A special Holy Week section includes Mass times and locations at all Maine parishes, listings of parish events, daily prayers and reflections, and many other resources. In addition, stories from many Masses and services and special messages throughout Holy Week will be posted on the diocesan website, the diocesan Facebook page, the diocesan Twitter page, the diocesan Instagram page, and on Bishop Deeley’s personal social media pages on Twitter and Instagram.