Chrism Mass 2021

On Thursday April 1^st, Bishop David celebrated the Chrism Mass in the Diocese of Northampton for the first time. This time last year our churches were closed, and the Chrism Mass did not go ahead as the COVID restrictions took hold.

 This year, although not open to the public due to a strict capacity at our cathedral church, our priests were able to celebrate together and reaffirm their priestly promises in solidarity with each other and priests around the world.

 The Chrism Mass is the occasion at which Bishop David blessed three oils; the oil of chrism used for baptisms and confirmations, the oil of catechumens and the third oil used for anointing the sick.

 Bishop David spoke to his priests at the homily encouraging them to pray before Jesus present in the Blessed Sacrament saying,

I want to encourage each and every one of us, to rediscover the joy of spending time with the Lord; worn out, weary though we may be, do invest in a good alarm clock. Let it summon you every morning to come before the Blessed Sacrament, to be fed with the words of scripture

Bishop David ended Mass by wishing everyone a blessed Triduum.