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)
Father Joseph Quindlen (left) and Father Jon Gabin pray the Lord’s Prayer.
Young people and others from archdiocesan parishes pack every pew of the cathedral in a show of support for the priests.
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.
Archbishop Chaput greets Msgr. Michael McCormac and all the other priests after Mass.
Father Keith Chylinski
Father Francis Cornely (center)
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Msgr. John Miller (left) and Msgr. Phillip Ricci
The archbishop holds up the book of Gospels.
The Cathedral Choir sings under the direction of John Romeri.
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Priests pray a prayer together.
From left, Msgrs. James Mortimer, James McCoy and Richard Bolger.
Msgr. James McBride
Father John Flanagan (right) concelebrates with other priests.
From left, Fathers Jason Kulczynski, William McGeown and Edward Bell join the entrance procession.
Priests exchange the sign of peace.
Msgr. Richard Bolger leaves his pew to offer a sign of peace to Sheila Haren from Old St. Joseph’s Parish, Philadelphia.
From left, Msgrs. David Diamond, Michael Carroll and Phillip Ricci sing along to the opening hymn.
From left, Fathers Andrew Hangholt, John Masson, Christopher Landis and David Friel pray together with and Msgr. John Miller.
Msgr. James McDonough and Father Joseph Watson
Deacon Alexandar Gibb proclaims the Gospel.
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 with their friend Belinda Jacay.
Permanent deacons present casks of holy oils to the archbishop before they are placed on a table for him to consecrate.
The archbishop leads the blessing of the oils rite.
The archbishop pours fragrant balsam into the oil of chrism which is used for sacraments of anointing.
As part of the rite, the archbishop breathes over the oils.
From left, Father Christopher Rogers, Msgr. Francis Depman and Msgr. Ignatius Murray say a prayer of consecration over the oils.
After Mass, bottles are filled with consecrated holy oil to be taken back to the local parishes.
Father Gerald Carey receives the Blood of Christ.
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Beautiful pictures. When I look at the pictures, I cannot help but hope that everyone in The Archdiocese appreciates how fortunate we are to have these priests. They are great men because they are great priests.
The 100 voice Archdiocesan Choir sang at the Chrism Mass, not the Cathedral Choir.
This was great to see all the prayerful priests. Prayer is what I preached to my second graders. I saw my nephew Chris Rodgers. I am going to say a rosary for all our sick priests who were unable to make it LOve Paul