Hundreds of priests and faithful came to the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul in Philadelphia to celebrate the Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday morning, April 2. Archbishop Charles Chaput was the main celebrant with auxiliary bishops and the priests concelebrating the Mass. All the priests and bishops renewed their priestly promises at the Mass that marks the institution of the priesthood by Christ. The archbishop also blessed the holy oils to be used in parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for the sacramental life of the church during the year. (Photos by Sarah Webb)

Fr Joseph Quindlen and Fr Jon Gabin pray the Lord's Prayer

Father Joseph Quindlen (left) and Father Jon Gabin pray the Lord’s Prayer.

young people come out to show their support for the priests

Young people and others from archdiocesan parishes pack every pew of the cathedral in a show of support for the priests.

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Auxiliary bishops led by Bishop Robert Maginnis process in the cathedral.

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Archbishop Chaput greets Father Michael DiIorio, pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Levittown, after the Mass.

Chaput greets Msgr. Michael McCormac and all the other priests after mass

Archbishop Chaput greets Msgr. Michael McCormac and all the other priests after Mass.

Fr. Keith Chylinski

Father Keith Chylinski

Fr Francis Cornely

Father Francis Cornely (center)

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Msgr. John Miller and Msgr. Phillip Ricci

Msgr. John Miller (left) and Msgr. Phillip Ricci

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The archbishop holds up the book of Gospels.

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The Cathedral Choir sings under the direction of John Romeri.

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Priests co consecrating the oils

Priests pray a prayer together.

Mortimer, ?, Bolger

From left, Msgrs. James Mortimer, James McCoy and Richard Bolger.

Msgr. James McBride co consecrates the oils

Msgr. James McBride

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Fr John Flanagan concelebrating

Father John Flanagan (right) concelebrates with other priests.

Fr. William McGeown, Fr. Edward Bell entrance procession

From left, Fathers Jason Kulczynski, William McGeown and Edward Bell join the entrance procession. 

sign of peace

Priests exchange the sign of peace.

Msgr. Richard Bolger leaves his pew to offer a sign of peace to Sheila Haren from Old St Joes

Msgr. Richard Bolger leaves his pew to offer a sign of peace to Sheila Haren from Old St. Joseph’s Parish, Philadelphia.

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Msgr. David Diamond, Msgr. Phillip Ricci sing along to the opening song

From left, Msgrs. David Diamond, Michael Carroll and Phillip Ricci sing along to the opening hymn.

Fr. Andrew Hangholt, Fr. John Masson, Fr. Christopher Landis, Fr. David Friel, and Msgr. John Miller

From left, Fathers Andrew Hangholt, John Masson, Christopher Landis and David Friel pray together with and Msgr. John Miller.

Msgr. James McDonough and Fr. Joseph Watson

Msgr. James McDonough and Father Joseph Watson

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Deacon Alexandar Gibb reads the Gospel

Deacon Alexandar Gibb proclaims the Gospel.

Msgr. Richard Bolger, Fr. Keith Chylinski, Msgr. James McBride, Fr. Joseph Quindlen renew their priestly promise

From left, Msgr. Richard Bolger, Father Keith Chylinski, Msgr. James McBride and Father Joseph Quindlen renew their priestly promises.

Gemma Baldon and her sons Jerimiah and Marcus pray for the priest along with their friend Belinda Jacay

Gemma Baldon and her sons Jerimiah and Marcus pray with their friend Belinda Jacay.

Prsentation of the balsam, oils

Permanent deacons present casks of holy oils to the archbishop before they are placed on a table for him to consecrate.

blessing of the oils

The archbishop leads the blessing of the oils rite.

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The archbishop pours fragrant balsam into the oil of chrism which is used for sacraments of anointing.

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As part of the rite, the archbishop breathes over the oils.

 

Fr. Christopher Rogers, Msgr. Francis Depman, Msgr. Ignatius Murray co consecrate the oils

From left, Father Christopher Rogers, Msgr. Francis Depman and Msgr. Ignatius Murray say a prayer of consecration over the oils.

The bottles are filled to be taken back to the local parishes.

After Mass, bottles are filled with consecrated holy oil to be taken back to the local parishes.

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Fr Gerald Carey recives the blood of Christ

Father Gerald Carey receives the Blood of Christ.