At chrism Mass, bishop announces year of prayer for priestly vocations

At the chrism Mass on April 6, Bishop George J. Lucas speaks to the presbyters just before they renew their commitment to priestly service. At the annual chrism Mass April 6, Bishop George J. Lucas listened as close to 70 diocesan and religious priests renewed their commitment to service just after he had announced an upcoming year of prayer for priestly vocations. The bishop told the congregation assembled from across the diocese to fill St. Agnes Church in Springfield that the year of prayer will begin in late 2009.

After explaining the different uses for the oils (of catechumens and of the sick) Bishop Lucas spoke about the use of chrism in his homily. “I get special joy from the consecration of sacred chrism at this Mass. Through the chrism, the bishop remains a participant in a particular way in the sacramental life of the whole diocese,” he said. “I will use this chrism to confirm hundreds — and hundreds and hundreds — of young people during the coming year.

“At the beginning of Advent, when our cathedral is dedicated anew, I will anoint the new altar of sacrifice with this consecrated oil. The altar is the special gift of our priests to our diocesan church,” he said.

Master of Ceremonies Father Christopher House, with Father Daren Zehnle who also served as Master of Ceremonies, prepares the incense that will be used at the Mass. Also shown (from back to front) are seminarians Paul Kala, Seth Brown, Hyland Smith and Brian Alford. The chrism Mass was held at St. Agnes Church this year because the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is closed for restoration and renewal. “At the same time, my joy is tempered this evening by the knowledge that the promise, the purpose, of the sacred chrism will go partially unfulfilled during the coming year. As far as I can see, I will not be able to use this to anoint the hands of any new priests this year. We have experienced this before — a year with no new priests — but I don’t want us to get used to it.”

Bishop Lucas said that although he will be gratified to ordain a new class of deacons this summer, he knows the priest shortage is affecting the diocesan church. “There is great spiritual vitality in our diocese,” he said, adding that the lives and work of consecrated religious enrich diocesan life “beyond measuring” and lay ecclesial ministers give “generous and competent service in so many apostolates.” 

“But at the rate we are going, we will not have enough priests to provide an adequate sacramental life for a vibrant Catholic Church in years to come,” Bishop Lucas said. “I am proud of our priests and grateful to God for the life and ministry of each of them. However, my pride and my gratitude don’t do much to lift the increasing burden being carried by fewer priests.”

The oil of the sick and the oil of catechumens are blessed and chrism is consecrated at the chrism Mass, celebrated annually on Monday of Holy Week in the Springfield diocese. Following the Mass, delegations carry the oils and chrism back to each parish church or institution for use in the upcoming year. People of the Springfield diocese naturally expect a great deal of our priests, he said. “Yet the burden increases. People want the sacraments; priests are dedicated to providing them. The fostering of priestly vocations is a challenge and a responsibility of the whole church and, frankly, I don’t think we have been giving it enough attention. We must be more clear among ourselves and before God about what we need for life in this world and in the next.”

Bishop Lucas said the yearlong observance of prayer for vocations will begin when the new Cathedral altar is dedicated this Advent and will extend through 2010. In the meantime, he plans to work with vocations director Father Christopher House and others to develop a schedule of prayerful activities and resources to be used in parishes, in schools and in families.

At the chrism Mass, which happens annually on Monday of Holy Week, Bishop Lucas asked that individuals begin asking for the intercession of the Blessed Mother right away, especially by praying the Hail, Mary. “We will root our efforts in the Eucharist and will ask the guidance of Mary, the mother of priests and the patroness of our diocese,” he said.

“For now I hope you will begin to pray today that our diocese will become a more fertile seedbed where healthy priestly vocations will grow.”