Bishop Ruggieri celebrates the Mass of the Holy Oils in Van Buren
Carrying on a longtime tradition in the Diocese of Portland, Bishop James Ruggieri traveled to Aroostook County on the Wednesday of Holy Week to celebrate the Mass of the Holy Oils.
During the Mass, which was held this year at St. Bruno-St. Remi Church in Van Buren, the oils blessed and consecrated during Tuesday’s Chrism Mass were ceremonially presented to the bishop and distributed to priests and parishioners of northern Maine. They include the oil of the sick, which is used to anoint those suffering from illness, the oil of catechumens, which is used to anoint those preparing for baptism so that they may be “strengthened by the power of Christ and grow in faith and courage,” and the holy chrism, a mixture of olive oil and perfume which is used to anoint the newly baptized, for the ordination of bishops and priests, and for the dedication of altars and churches.
“These oils are not simply objects. They are sacramental signs through which Christ continues to act in his Church. Christ continues to strengthen, to heal, and to sanctify his people,” Bishop Ruggieri said in his homily. "Anointing is never merely symbolic. It is not decorative. It is ordered toward sacrifice. It is ordered toward mission.”
The bishop noted the many examples of anointing found in sacred Scripture.
“In the Old Testament, priests were anointed to offer sacrifice. Prophets were anointed to speak the Word of God. Kings were anointed to shepherd the people. Anointing marked a person as belonging to God in a particular and personal way. And this reality continues in the life of the Church," the bishop said.
Bishop Ruggieri noted, however, that anointing is not meant to be something external but, rather, lead to the inward reality of conversion.
"The Holy Spirit given through these sacred signs is meant to penetrate the heart, to conform us to Christ," the bishop said.
As he did during the Chrism Mass, the bishop urged the priests and faithful present to look into their hearts and to reflect on what Christ sees there.
The Chrism Mass and the Mass of the Holy Oils are also opportunities for the priests of the diocese to renew their priestly promises and reaffirm their commitment to serving Christ and his Church. The priests of northern Maine stood before the bishop during the Mass of the Holy Oils and resolved once again to be more united with the Lord Jesus, to be more closely conformed to him, to be faithful stewards of the mysteries of God in the Holy Eucharist and the other liturgical rites, and to discharge faithfully the sacred office of teaching, following Christ the Head and Shepherd.
Fourteen priests from northern Maine were present for the Mass, including those serving at St. John Vianney Parish in Fort Kent, Notre Dame du Mont Carmel Parish in Madawaska, Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Saint Agatha, St. Peter Chanel Parish in Van Buren, Parish of the Precious Blood in Caribou, St. Mary of the Visitation Parish in Houlton, and St. Agnes Parish in Island Falls. Three deacons also served at the Mass.
At the conclusion of the Mass, the holy oils were ceremonially handed to pastors of the parishes to take back with them for use in the sacraments.
Holy Week continues with the celebration of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday and the celebration of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday. Bishop Ruggieri will celebrate both at 7 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland. A schedule of all Masses and services may be found here.
