Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee
 

Tonight I will gather with members representing the clergy, religious and parishes of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee in the celebration of the Chrism Mass. There is a significant beauty to this celebration, as the Church unites for the blessing of the oils and the consecration of the chrism. 
 
You wouldn’t think that the blessing of oils would demand such attention in the Church, but these oils become important elements in the administration of the sacraments, which further the sanctification of the role of parish communities. God uses us as instruments in this world. The oils remind us of the sacred action that we are participating in, and that there is more than what is visible happening here. As a deacon, priest and bishop, I have been blessed to utilize the oils in the administration of the sacraments, consecration of churches and sacred objects (chalices, patens, bells, etc.).  
 
I am acutely aware that I am an instrument of God’s grace in the use of these blessed elements. In the Oil of Catechumens, I will anoint the child with the sign of the cross above the breastbone under the chin. I remind the parents, godparents and family that this child is united to the catechumens of old who were set apart for reception into the Church at Easter. The catechumens were observed by the community, testing to see if they really could live the faith. Families desired their children to be a part of the faith that they were professing, so they started speaking for the children’s desire and pledged that they would create an environment that would witness the faith. The action of anointing is so much more when you consider the history that is reflected. 
 
The Oil of the Sick is used in the anointing of the sick. I have been present to some profound statements of faith as a person accepts God’s power to heal and more so, as they submit themselves to God’s will. A priest friend of mine anointed his father in the hospital. It was close to the end of his life, and praying with his son, the father said, “I’ll say ‘hi’ to Mom for you.” His mother had died five years earlier, and the father was confident in God’s plan of salvation for him. He wasn’t embracing oblivion – he was expressing the life God has waiting for all believers. The anointing was a sign of God’s plan for him. This is one of many reinforcements that I received from people of faith. I carry them with me all throughout my priesthood, and I am privileged to encounter them as they strengthen my own faith, and I can share their stories with others. 
 
Chrism is a perfumed, scented oil. As a bishop, I have used chrism in the ordinations of priests and bishops, in baptisms and confirmations. Recently, I anointed the altar at Divine Mercy Parish in South Milwaukee. As part of the ceremony, chrism is used by spreading the oil on the entire surface of the altar. This is no ordinary table; this is a sacred place where the ultimate sacrifice is performed. The focus of our worship is found here, “The Word is made flesh and dwells among us.” The dedication of a church, where the walls are anointed, is a ceremony that emphasizes the sacredness of the place of worship. 
 
When I am confirming, I remind the confirmands that this will not be the first time chrism has been used on them. They were anointed by a priest or deacon at their baptism, who took the chrism and spread it on the crown of their head with the words, “As Christ was anointed priest, prophet and king, so may you live always as a member of His body sharing everlasting life.” Chrism has a pleasant smell, and mothers have told me that the scent fills the air as they nurse their babies. My car is often filled with the smell of chrism during confirmation season.
 
In a sense, we are joined together by these three oils used through the archdiocese. These sacramentals remind us that we are destined for a life yet to come, made possible through the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross. It’s His love that makes us one, and it is His love that calls us to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Note: This blog originally appeared as the April 11, 2017 "Love One Another" email sent to Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of Milwaukee by Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki. If you are interested in signing up for these email messages, please click here.