Blog

April 6, 2025

Lent is always a busy time of year at a parish: penance services, stations of the cross, fish fries, small groups, and preparations for Holy Week and Easter. But it’s also a time for several important celebrations at the diocesan level. At the beginning of Lent, the bishop celebrated the Rite of Election with people from all over the diocese who will be coming into full communion with the Church at Easter. And at the end of Lent, the bishop will celebrate another important celebration for the whole diocese: the Chrism Mass. This year, Bishop McKnight will celebrate the Chrism Mass on Tuesday, April 15 at 3:00pm at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Jefferson City, and the whole diocese is invited!

At the Chrism Mass, all the priests of the diocese come together with the bishop to renew the promises that we made at our ordination. It is a celebration of the commitment that we made, and a recommitment to serve the people of the diocese in whatever roles we are appointed to by the bishop. Here in the Diocese of Jefferson City, we also have the custom of honoring our priests who are celebrating significant anniversaries: this year we will be recognizing Fr. Joseph Corel, celebrating his 25^th anniversary, and Msgr. Michael Flanagan, celebrating his 60^th anniversary.

Each year at the Chrism Mass the bishop also blesses the Holy Oils that will be used in the celebration of the sacraments throughout the whole diocese for the following year: the Oil of Catechumens, used at Baptism; the Oil of the Sick, used for the Anointing of the Sick, and the Sacred Chrism, used at infant Baptism, Confirmation, priestly Ordination, and for the dedication of churches and altars.

All are welcome to attend the Chrism Mass, which is a great celebration for the whole diocese. If you’ve never been, I encourage you to come if you are able! There is more information available on the diocesan website if you’re interested.

Fr. Berhorst