Chrism Mass for the Diocese of Pittsburgh to be Celebrated on Tuesday, August 4

Feast Day of Saint John Vianney, Patron of Parish Priests
The Diocese of Pittsburgh Chrism Mass will be celebrated at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, August 4, 2020, in recognition of the Feast Day of Saint John Vianney, the patron of parish priests. 

“What an appropriate day it is for us to renew our priestly promises, inspired as we must be by the Curé of Ars,” said Bishop David Zubik. 

It is within the Chrism Mass that priests renew the sacred promises which each made on the day of their ordination.  That renewal normally takes place in the Diocese of Pittsburgh on Holy Thursday, the day upon which Jesus Himself instituted the priesthood at the Last Supper.

It is also at the Chrism Mass, which the bishop concelebrates with the priests of the diocese, when the bishop consecrates the holy chrism and blesses the other two sacred oils. "The holy chrism consecrated by the bishop is used to anoint the newly baptized, to seal the candidates for confirmation, and to anoint the hands of presbyters and the heads of bishops at their ordination, as well as in the rites of anointing pertaining to the dedication of churches and altars” ( Ceremonial of Bishops, 274).  The oil of the catechumens is used to bless those who are to be baptized. The oil of the sick is used to bring comfort and support to anyone who is in need of healing.

The Chrism Mass is among the primary expressions of a bishop’s priesthood and signifies his unity with his priests.

Usually, the Chrism Mass would be held on Holy Thursday at Saint Paul Cathedral, and all priests in the diocese would be invited to attend. However, with the increase of COVID-19 cases in Allegheny County, and out of concern for the entire presbyterate, it is now necessary to limit participation at the Chrism Mass to a select number of priests, deacons and seminarians.
Bishop Zubik decided the fairest resolution to these restrictions is to invite the members of the Presbyteral Council to represent the entire presbyterate along with the Vicars, the Rectors of the Cathedral and the Seminary, the three men ordained to the priesthood this year, and the four men ordained to the priesthood in 2019.

All other priests and deacons, and others interested, will be able to connect with the celebration live-stream on the diocesan website, www.diopitt.org, and on www.christianassociatestv.org.

Ordinarily, representatives from each of the parishes also attend the Chrism Mass and receive the oils for their parish use.  This year, instead, parishes have been instructed that the oils blessed at the Cathedral will be available at Saint Paul Seminary.

“While I am clearly disappointed that not all of you will be able to attend the Chrism Mass,” Bishop Zubik concluded, “I trust that you can appreciate the measures taken for the protection of all.”