Story by Anthony Richards | Photos by Fran Ruchalski
The Mass of Holy Chrism was held at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine on the Wednesday of Holy Week.
Bishop Erik Pohlmeier was the celebrant and blessed the oil of the sick, oil of catechumens and consecrated the Holy Chrism during the Mass.
The oils will be used for sacramental purposes by each parish in the Diocese of St. Augustine for the next year.
The oil of the sick is used for anointing those dealing with sickness of the body, mind and spirit, while the oil of the catechumens will be used to anoint those preparing for baptism and the Holy Chrism is consecrated to anoint infants after baptism, those being confirmed, bishops and priests during their ordination and in the anointing of altars and churches during their dedication.
The four transitional deacons, Justino Moreno, Steven Henderson, Stephen Parker and Kenneth Laybourn were the oil bearers for the Mass, which was a special moment for them, as they will be blessed by those oils during their priestly ordination on May 23 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 11757 Old St. Augustine Road, Jacksonville.
Priests from across the diocese filled many of the pews and renewed their priestly promises initially made on their respective ordination days.
