Scottish Catholic Observer

Prior to marking the Easter Triduum, the Scottish Catholic hierarchy joined clergy, religious and lay Faithful to celebrate the annual Chrism Masses in each diocese. During the Mass of Chrism, the oils that will be used for the administration of the Sacraments throughout the proceeding Church year are blessed, while the clergy also perform the renewal of commitment to priestly service.

Celebrating the Chrism Mass at Edinburgh’s St Andrew’s Cathedral on Tuesday April 3, Cardinal Keith O’Brien, Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh, reminded his clergy that ‘we must be fully aware of the obligations on the shoulders of each and every priest in our archdiocese and indeed throughout the world.’

“We all share in a very special ministry and that ministry is not one simply of celebrating the Eucharist but rather of preaching and teaching in the name of Jesus Christ,” the cardinal said. “Pope Benedict XVI reminded us all of that when he was in Westminster Hall in London just over a year ago. He emphasised the value of religion at this present time and of our responsibility of handing on our Faith. In his own words he stated: “Religion is not a problem for legislators to solve, but a vital contributor to the national conversation. In this light, I cannot but voice my concern at the increasing marginalisation of religion, particularly of Christianity, that is taking place in some quarters, even in nations which place a great emphasis on tolerance.”

“Consequently at this present time there is an increasing responsibility on each one of us both to live our Faith, to share our Faith, to hand it on to those who may in any way be troubled or upset at this present time,” the cardinal said.

“To be able to fulfil adequately the ministry entrusted to us, bishops, priests and lay Faithful, young and old must indeed have their being rooted and founded in the person of Jesus Christ Himself. Time in prayer day by day, week by week must be seen as vitally important to our Christian lives. We must give ourselves to the good Lord and in the words of the Pope ‘see Him face to face’ before we even attempt to hand on His teaching.”

The cardinal asked the congregation to remember in their prayers ‘our deacon, Graham Turner, who is still seriously ill and yet longing to be ordained a priest.’

During the Chrism Mass at Glasgow’s St Andrew’s Cathedral last week, Archbishop Mario Conti said to clergy of the archdiocese that the need for the voice of the Church to be heard is ‘ever more pressing’ in an increasingly secularised society.

Celebrating his tenth Chrism Mass for the archdiocese, Archbishop Conti thanked the priests of Glasgow for their continuing ministry and spoke of the importance of educating ‘our young people in the Faith and in the practice of their religion.’

“Today, the need is greater than ever for lives of holiness to be lived,” Archbishop Conti said, before adding how important it is that our ‘consciences are well-informed, and our schools as well as our pulpits are places’ that the mission of the Church will continue to be expressed.

“It would be easy to lose heart, but that is not an option by any means,” the archbishop said.

The leader of Glasgow’s Catholics said that, from visiting churches throughout the archdiocese, it is clear that Catholic Faithful ‘have not lost heart, faith and courage.’

“I never cease to be impressed by how strong and vibrant the Faith is,” he said. “I admire, in particular, the older generation, grandfathers and grandmothers, who are caring now not only for their children but also for their children’s children.”

Bishop Philip Tartaglia of Paisley told Catholic Faithful, clergy and religious from his diocese that the Mass of Chrism invites ‘us to gaze more fully on the person of Jesus Christ, to renew and deepen our faith in Him, and to be healed, forgiven and sanctified by the touch of His love especially in the Sacraments.’

This year’s Paisley Diocesan Chrism Mass was celebrated at St Andrew’s Church, Greenock, as the first stage of restoration work at Paisley’s St Mirin’s Cathedral has not been completed yet.

During his homily, Bishop Tartaglia highlighted that ‘the times we live in bring special challenges for priestly ministry but also opportunities because people need God so much.’

“In terms of our mission, we need ceaselessly to hold up Jesus before our children and young people as the person who gives ultimate meaning to our lives and in whom they will always find inspiration, consolation and friendship with God,” Bishop Tartaglia said. “Through our Faith and love, and strengthened by the Sacraments, we must continue to make the proposal about Jesus Christ to the world in which we live, and to seem to dispel the spiritual emptiness which threatens our well-being and the well-being of so many people, even of our families, neighbours and friends.”

The bishop added that it was ‘fitting’ that Canon Willie McDade, parish priest of St Colm’s, Kilmacolm, was present on the day that he celebrated 50 years of being a priest.

“We offer him our prayerful congratulations and we share in this joy and thanksgiving,” he said.

The previous week, Bishop Hugh Gilbert celebrated his first Chrism Mass since being appointed Bishop of Aberdeen. The bishop told those present at St Peter’s Church, Buckie that ‘all of us, as Baptised and Confirmed Christians, have been given the Spirit of the Lord and been anointed, given a share in the mission of Christ, prophet, priest and king.’

Bishop Gilbert reminded clergy of Aberdeen and the congregation at St Peter’s of the words of Blessed John Paul II: “We must love our priesthood from the bottom of our heart, as a great ‘social sacrament.’

“We must love it as the essence of our life and of our vocation, as the basis of our Christian and human identity.”