Posted April 23, 2019

The Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul hosted the annual Chrism Mass, with Archbishop Charles Chaput as principal celebrant, on Holy Thursday morning, April 18. Lay faithful and religious showed their support for hundreds of priests of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and those of religious congregations, who renewed the promises of their ordination. Also at the Mass, the archbishop consecrated the oil of catechumens, oil of the sick and sacred chrism for sacramental use at parishes throughout the year. (Photos by Sarah Webb)

  • Archbishop Charles Chaput fills a thurible with incense before the procession begins for the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, Philadelphia.

  • Father Robert Ianelli, right, walk in procession during the Chrism Mass.

  • Father Anthony Hangholt prays with his brother priests during the Chrism Mass.

  • Faithful fill a side aisle of the cathedral to participate in the Chrism Mass.

  • So many lay people attended the Chrism Mass that many teens sat at the foot of the cathedral’s shrines, beneath the statues veiled for Holy Week.

  • In an annual rite at the Chrism Mass, all the priests and deacons renew the promises they made at their ordination.

  • Catholic school students, along with deacons, present holy oils to be blessed by Archbishop Charles Chaput.

  • Fathers Shaun Mahoney and Charles Zlock bless the oils along with priests of the archdiocese.

  • Archbishop Charles Chaput mixes fragrant balsam into the sacred chrism, one of the three holy oils that he blessed. After the Mass they were distributed to every parish in the archdiocese for sacramental use throughout the year.

  • From left, Fathers Richard McFadden, Thomas O’Donald and Christopher Walsh.

  • Father Kyle Adamczyk (right) concelebrates the Chrism Mass for the first time as he was ordained in May 2018.

  • Seminarian Jamey Moses bears a candle during the consecration of the Eucharist.

  • All the assembled priests concelebrate the liturgy of the Eucharist.

  • Father Manuel Flores concelebrates the Chrism Mass for the first time since his ordination last year.

  • During the recessional, the congregation applauds the priests and they get a chance to acknowledge their gratitude, including Msgr. Michael Picard.