THE recently appointed Bishop for Down and Connor has overseen his first Chrism Mass in Belfast, an important fixture for the Catholic Church in the lead up to Easter.
Bishop Alan McGuckian was formally appointed last month, having previously served as Bishop for Raphoe.
The Chrism Mass is traditionally held during Holy Week for every Catholic Diocese. It is a rare sight as it gathers priests, deacons and representatives of the entire diocesan community together in one place with their bishop.
During the service, the bishop blesses three holy oils used during the year including the Oil of the Sick, the Oil of Catechumens and the Sacred Chrism.
The symbolism of the service also serves to renew the bonds between a bishop and his priests.
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“It’s good for us to be here this morning. This unique mass in the church’s year when the mystery of God at work and the concrete signs and symbols of our church come very vividly to together in the consecration of the Chrism and the other oils,” Bishop McGuckian told those attending St Peter’s Cathedral on Wednesday.
“We also acknowledge that other great sign of Jesus living among us, which is the priesthood.
“The bishop gathered with the priests. So let us, in the depths of our hearts, come into the hearts of this great mystery of which we believe is among us in so many different ways.”
Originally from Cloughmills, Bishop McGuckian’s appointment last month was seen as a homecoming after having spent many years of his career serving in Belfast.
At the service to formally welcome him to the role, he had expressed hope that the reform of the Stormont Assembly would bring stability to the most vulnerable in society.
