GARY – Clergy, staff and parishioners from all over the Diocese of Gary gathered to celebrate the start of the Easter Triduum, the three-day liturgical celebration of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus, with the annual Chrism Mass.
During the Chrism Mass on April 2 at the Cathedral of Holy Angels, diocesan priests renewed their priestly promises. Bishop Robert J. McClory asked the priests to stand in honor of the anniversary when Jesus conferred the priesthood on his apostles. Looking at his fellow priests, the bishop asked them a series of questions starting with, “Are you resolved to renew in the presence of your bishop and God’s holy people, the promises you once made?”
Then, turning to the congregation, Bishop McClory said, “Pray for your priests that the Lord may pour out his gifts abundantly upon them, and keep them faithful as ministers of Christ.”
Following the Renewal of Priestly Promises, glass vessels of oil were brought forward to the altar by various members of the diocese. The name for each oil was proclaimed, after which Bishop McClory blessed or consecrated the Oil of Catechumens, the Oil of the Sick and the Oil of Chrism. These oils were then distributed to parishes to use throughout the year for baptisms, confirmations, anointing of the sick, and more.
Jan Sypnieski, executive secretary at Queen of All Saints in Michigan City, said, for her, attending the Chrism Mass is the only way to begin Holy Week. She enjoys witnessing the blessing of the oils and seeing all diocesan priests renew their vows.
“In fact, I have several people that I have told about it, and they come with me now, because it is just such an uplifting, wonderful way to start the Triduum," Sypnieski said. “I can't imagine another way, and I'm so sorry for all the years that I missed it because it is just a beautiful, beautiful Mass.”
Deacon Michael Green, who serves the QAS parish, shared that he also encourages parishioners at Queen of All Saints to consider attending the Chrism Mass as he too, believes it's a great way to start the Easter Triduum.
“I think this is like 25 years I’ve been a part of the Chrism Mass,” Deacon Green said. “After my very first one, I was hooked, and I've been here ever since. It’s a wonderful service.”
Tina Hendrickson, of St. Matthias in Crown Point, felt the Holy Spirit drew her to attend the Chrism Mass. She stated that she appreciated being able to see the presence of all the deacons and priests worshiping together.
“It's just an overwhelming feeling,” she said. “It's hard to explain, it was just very nice.”
During the homily, Bishop Robert J. McClory shared the story of a present he received for his ordination as a bishop. Inside a beautiful case, he received two silver candlestick holders and a copy of the novel “Les Misérables.”
Bishop McClory explained that the story has profound imagery about what it means not just to be merciful, but how to experience that. The story takes place during the French Revolution at a time when the church was in great decline. The main character, Jean Valjean, was in prison for many years for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his family. Though he served his time and was released, he remained an outcast.
In the tale, a bishop later befriends Valjean. He invites him to dinner and welcomes him to stay the night. Valjean decides to steal the bishop’s silverware and is caught and brought back in front of him. Instead of reprimanding his actions, the bishop offers him two expensive candlesticks in addition to the silverware.
“Rather than condemn him, he gives him more,” explained Bishop McClory. “Rather than letting him wallow in his sin, he gives him forgiveness. Rather than shaming him, he gives him dignity, and this is a transformative moment. The life of the once criminal is now forgiven, and he amends his life.”
Bishop McClory continued by stating that the extraordinary story of mercy, the very heart of Jesus poured out to reconcile, to forgive, to love, that has a transformative effect in the novel, has that same transformative effect today.
“That same inspiration, not just from the fictional character, but from the Church that had to live through those circumstances, should inspire us on this day to say to the world that the heart of Christ speaks for you,” he said. “The compassion of Christ means that you can be set free from your sins; that you are not defined by your worst sin or your darkest hour. You are defined by the love and the mercy of Jesus.”
Bishop McClory reminded those in attendance that they are called to be “on mission” and that there are signs that the Sacred Heart of Jesus is having an effect. He alluded to a New York Times article that discussed the increase in numbers of those entering the Catholic Church. He also added that within the Diocese of Gary, the numbers of those receiving sacraments this Easter are the highest they’ve been in 15 years.
He said, “We need to read those signs of the times, not just the dark signs of the times, but the signs of the times that would inspire us to say hearts are hungry for the Sacred Heart of Jesus.”
Bishop McClory ended his talk by making a request that those gathered prepare themselves as the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops and dioceses around the country plan to renew, rededicate and reconsecrate themselves to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
During the semiquincentennial, 250 years as a nation, on the vigil of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, all the United States bishops will gather at the Queen of the Universe Basilica in Orlando to consecrate the country to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. On the Feast of the Sacred Heart, June 12, Bishop McClory will lead the diocese in a dedication to the Sacred Heart of Jesus during a special event in Crown Point. It will start with a procession with the Blessed Sacrament from St. Matthias to Bulldog Park.
“Let’s plant ourselves in the Sacred Heart of Jesus,” said Bishop McClory. “Let’s receive His mercy, let us receive His love for us, and share that love with the world that so desperately needs to know the love of Jesus.”
For more information on upcoming diocesan events, visit https://dcgary.org/
