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Udupi, March 21, 2024: The blessings of Holy Oils and Chrism Eucharistic Celebrations held at Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur of Diocese of Udupi on Thurdsday, March 21, 2024. Most Rev Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi diocese concelebrated the Solemnly Eucharistic celebrations along with record number of diocesan and religious priests.

In the morning, the diocesan pre-synod meeting was held at Milagres Tri-Centenary Hall with all the diocesan and religious priests headed by the diocese bishop and resource person was Rev Fr. JosephTitus from Bengaluru Seminary till noon. Prior to the mass at 4pm, the Bishop along with all the priests gathered at Milagres Tri-centenary Hall and proceeded towards Milagres Cathedral.

During the Chrism mass is usually held in the Cathedral of the respective dioceses and blessed the three kinds of Sacred Oils, all of which signify the work of the Holy Spirit and symbolize it in that oil “Serves to Sweeten, to Strengthen, to render Supple”.

In his beautiful and meaningful homily, Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo pointed out on the meaning of Prayer and its dominance on the faithful since Abraham, Moses, Jacob, prophets and indeed Jesus Christ. Prayer is our communication with God. Prayer is an important way to experience God as the religious believer can communicate with God. Prayer is giving our attention to God in a two-way spiritual relationship where we talk to God and also listen to Him. Prayer is like a child’s conversation with their father. Prayer is the raising of one’s mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God.

The Bishop said Abraham is the role model of prayer. God has a good relation with Moses through prayer. David was always for his people with the prayer to God. Prayer is listening, worshiping and molding our wills into God’s will. We should pray that God’s love and justice reign on earth.

The Bishop said that Prayer is a way for us to spend time with God. It is a way to connect with Him and align our hearts with God. The word of God became the prayer of humans. Jesus went to the temple to pray to God along with his parents. Jesus prayed continuously for 40 days in the desert. There are several instances of Prayer by Jesus to God. Prior to Jesus taking Baptism in the Jordan River, Jesus prayed with God. Jesus teaches His Apostles to pray.

Bishop also briefed on the prayer by the priests in their daily religious life along with priests’ responsibilities in their mission of God. Priest is a person of God. It is therefore an act of the virtue of priests implying the deepest reverence of God. Priest is one who forwards the mission of Christ to the people. Priests should bring faithful people together. It is the spiritual power of a priest to bring believers together.

Meanwhile, it is appropriate that the Oil of the Sick, the Oil of Catechumens and the Holy Chrism which are blessed by the Bishop during the Chrism Mass be presented to and received by the local parish community.

During the mass, priests asked to stand and renew the promises made on their ordination time and witnessed the priests who again pledged their lives and love to Jesus.

At the end, Rector of the Cathedral Very Rev Fr. Valerian Mendonca gave the words of gratitude to all concerned including Bishop, Vicar General, Chancellor, PRO, five deans of the diocese deaneries, and resource person for the priests meeting Fr. Joseph Tellis, clergy of the diocese and religious, faithful at large and others.

Meanwhile, the sponsor of the celebrations, Mr Steevan and Mrs Preema Lewis was honored by the Bishop with a decorated candle. The Bishop also thanked the Rector of the Cathedral and all concerned on the success of 12^th year of Chrism Mass.

Nearly hundred priests including Vicar General of the Diocese, Monsignor Fr. Ferdinand Gonsalves, Chancellor of the diocese Very Rev Fr. Roshan D’souza, PRO of the diocese Rev Fr. Denis D’Sa and all five deans along with other religious priests were present.

Rev Fr. Cyril Lobo of Divya Jyothi moderated proceedings during the mass. Soft drinks and samasas were served to all the participants after the mass.

The Udupi district had been a part of the Diocese of Mangalore since 1887. The Udupi diocese was inaugurated on 15th October 2012.by Apostolic Nunicio of India Salvatore Pennacchio at Milagres Cathedral. Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo was appointed the first Bishop of Udupi diocese.

The three Holy Oils are :

 The Oil of Catechumens ("Oleum Catechumenorum" or "Oleum Sanctum") used in Baptism along with water, in the consecration of churches, in the blessing of Altars, in the ordination of priests, and, sometimes, in the crowning of Catholic kings and queens.

The Holy Chrism ("Sanctum Chrisma") or "Oil of Gladness," which is olive oil mixed with a small amount of balm or balsam. It is used in Confirmation, Baptism, in the consecration of a Bishop, the consecration of various things such as churches, chalices, patens, and bells.

It is appropriate that the oil of the sick, the oil of the Catechumens and the Holy Chrism which are blessed by the Bishop during the Chrism mass, be presented to and received by the local parish community. The reception of the holy oil may take place at Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday or any other day after the celebration of chrism mass. In Udupi Diocese this year due to busy schedule on Holy Thursday or other reason, the diocese’s Chrism Mass with the blessings of Holy Oils held on Thursday, 21st March, 2024 at Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur.