Mass of the Oils continues Holy Week tradition in Aroostook County
Bishop James Ruggieri celebrated the Mass of the Oils at St. Louis Church in Fort Kent on Wednesday evening, April 16, distributing the oils that were blessed and consecrated during the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Tuesday to the parishes of northern Maine.
Given the size of the Diocese of Portland, each year the oils are brought to Aroostook County to be used for sacraments throughout the year. Pastors, active priests, and retired priests from the north collectively renewed their priestly promises during the Mass.
"I want in a particular way today to thank the priests for their priestly commitment to our diocese," said Bishop Ruggieri during his homily. "I would also like to note the uniqueness of our presbyterate. With more than half of our active priests being born on other continents, we are blessed with many missionaries among us. My dear brother priests, we are partners in mission. My role as bishop is unique but importantly interwoven with yours."
Bishop Ruggieri spoke about the upcoming sacraments during which the holy chrism blessed during Holy Week will be used. These include upcoming priestly ordinations, as well baptisms and confirmations of both children and adults, many happening this spring. While he expressed the great joy in administering sacraments to children, he also lamented the realities of families' commitment to the faith.
"But it is also a day of sadness to a degree, knowing that some of these children will not return to their parishes or to active lives of faith. I personally question the level of understanding about the power and influence of the Holy Spirit in the newly confirmed children," he said. "The theology of the sacrament says that my question is inappropriate. But the lack of post-confirmation practice of the newly confirmed begs the question about the children and their non-practicing parents."
He did speak to the hundreds in the congregation with a message of support and hope.
"To all here today, please allow me to remind you that it's not the masses that we should be seeking but more the personalized mission of one soul at a time."
At the conclusion of the Mass, Bishop Ruggieri presented the blessed oils to the pastors of northern Maine including: Father Kevin Martin, pastor of St. Agnes in Island Falls and St. Mary of the Visitation in Houlton; Father Kent Ouellette, pastor of Notre Dame du Mont Carmel in Madawaska, Our Lady of the Valley in St. Agatha, and St. Peter Chanel in Van Buren; Fr. Anthony Korir, SMA, pastor of Parish of the Precious Blood in Caribou and Fr. Jean-Paul Labrie, pastor of St. John Vianney Parish in Fort Kent. Fr. Labrie served as a principal concelebrant of the Mass
