Write Comment     |     E-Mail To a Friend     |     Facebook     |     Twitter     |     Print

Udupi, April 7, 2017: The blessings of Holy Oils and Priest’ Day celebrated at Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur, Udupi Diocese on Thursday, 6th April, 2017. His Lordship Most Rev Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi diocese solemnly concelebrated Eucharistic celebrations along with Msgr. Dr. Baptist Menezes, Vicar General of diocese, Rev Fr. Valerian Mendonca Chancellor of Diocese and five deaneries deans and around 74 priests.

Prior to the start of Eucharistic celebrations, the huge procession of priests along with priests proceeded towards Cathedral from Milagres Tri-centenary Hall.

In his homily, Bishop pointed out the role of priests in their mission of proclaiming the Word of God. It is especially necessary that listening to the Word of God should become a life giving encounter, in the ancient and ever valid tradition of Lectio Divina, which draws from the biblical text the living word which questions, directs and shapes our lives. The proclamation of the Holy Gospel has main fundamental responsibility of the priest.

Priests are one who proclaimed the word of God, Holy Gospel.  They do not devote certain group. They help to proclaim the Gospel of God according the tradition of Holy Church. They will proclaim the name of Holy God. Knowledge of and familiarity with the Word of God is also of prime importance for priests in their calling to the ministry of evangelization.

The complete object of St. Paul is to proclaim the word of God to the devotees. On proclaiming the Holy Gospel, one has explained keeping in mind of experience of people and priests. It should not be system. The mission of Christians given on the hands of priest and will do the job of Christ.  Neither Word of God never the word of us ever changed. The proper meaning and explanation of Gospel the priest should share in responsibility.

The priest will help for the proclamation of Holy Gospel and his purpose would be proclaiming faith of God. Priests are said to owe it to everybody to share with them the truth of Gospel in which they rejoice in the Lord. Priests are to share the Gospel not only with believers but with unbelievers’ also. Priests are to teach not their wisdom but also the word of God.

The priests should proclaim the message of Salvation. In order to make strong faith in God, priest should proclaim the Holy Gospel of the Lord. The Word of God needs to be given by priest greater priority in the life and mission of the Church.

The priests have the responsibility to help the faithful in a acquiring a true, complete and proper understanding of the harmonious workings of the ministry of the Word, enabling them to become attentive hearers of the Word wherever it is proclaimed.

The primary fundamental mission of the priest is transmitting the Divine Word to everyone. The Christian community exercises an essential role in approaching the Word of God. The priest must devise ways to help the faithful come to know the Word of God, why it exists, its value in the life of faith. The Word of God transforms the lives of those who approach him in faith.

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.

The blessings of 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. The Bishop Gerald blessed the three Holy Oils, the Holy Oil of the Sick, the Holy Oil of the Catechumens and the Holy Chrism Oil. The reception of the Holy Oils 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 may be, the diocese Chrism mass with blessings of Holy Oils held on Thursday, 6th April, 2017 at Diocesan Cathedral at Milagres Kallianpur.

The Oil of Catechumens 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 or queens. The Holy Chrism 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.  The Oil of the Sick which is used in Unction. A service of great solemnity and beauty takes place in every Cathedral each year which the Bishop blesses the Oils to be used during the ensuing year in the administration of the Sacraments as well as in various consecrations and blessings of persons and things. The ceremony of the Blessing of the Oils is full of significant symbolism which requires large number of clergy for the sacred oils are considered by the Church to be if such importance as to call for.

At the end of the mass, Rev Fr. Stany B. Lobo Rector of Cathedral gave gratitude of words for the event of blessings of Holy Oils. He also wishes the clergy for their day celebrations. He also gave gratitude to choir team and other concerned for the same.

At the end of mass, cold drink was served to all the participants from across the diocese which was donated from Stevan Prema Lewis of Tenkabettu ward of Milagres Cathedral. Rev Fr. Stephen D’souza compared the liturgy of the mass.

In the day, the get together rand consultation of all priests of the diocese was held at Milagres Tri-centenary Hall. Around 74 priests of the diocese participated on the day.