Hundreds of Diocesan clergy gathered together with the faithful to celebrate the Chrism Mass on Wednesday 5 April.

It was celebrated at our Diocesan Mother Church, St Chad’s Cathedral, by Archbishop Bernard Longley.

During Holy Mass priests renewed the promises they made on the day of their Ordination to serve God and his people.

This Mass symbolises the unity of the Presbyterate as the Bishops, priests and deacons gather around the Archbishop.

His Grace also blessed the holy oils - the Oil of Catechumens, the Oil of the Sick and consecrated the Oil of Holy Chrism - which will be used in the administration of the sacraments in parishes across the Archdiocese in the coming year.

Music and song were provided by members of the cathedral choir.

Archbishop Bernard opened his Homily with: Christ was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross...

The true power of the cross hits us forcibly this week, from the reading of the Passion on Palm Sunday to the Veneration of the Cross on Good Friday. It is the gateway through which we must pass to the new life of the Resurrection – the eye of the needle that gives us entry into the Kingdom of God. In truth, we are always passing that way because of the grace of our baptism – dying with Christ on his cross and rising with him to new life.

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Holy Week and Easter at St Chad’s Cathedral

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