By Ivy Chai
KUCHING — The Mass of the Chrism which the Bishop of every Diocese traditionally concelebrates with his priests throughout the Diocese was celebrated on 27 March 2024 at St Joseph’s Cathedral.
At the Mass, the Holy Oils of the Chrism, the Sick and Catechumens were blessed. The Oils of the Chrism and Catechumens are used for the Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Order, while the Oil of the Sick is used for the Anointing of the Sick. Priests from the Archdiocese of Kuching also renewed their commitment made at their ordinations.
Kuching Archbishop Simon Poh called on the congregation “gathered as one community around the altar of the Lord” to give thanks to God for “his call for each one of us to be the People of God.” The reading from Isaiah affirmed the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
The Greek word for anointing is Chrisma, hence the term Chrism being used for the renewal of priestly promises made at ordination and blessing of oils and consecration of the chrism.
Archbishop Simon said the Chrism Mass always takes place around the Easter Triduum and celebrates the close bond between the Bishop and his priests, and with the community of faith. He invited the congregation to pray for him and his priests and also to “pray for ourselves”.
Significance of Oils
Oils blessed at the Chrism Mass by the Bishop are used exclusively for the sacraments and only by priests.
Oil of Catechumens is used for Baptism to give wisdom and strength to those preparing to become Catholics.
Oil of the Sick is used to anoint the sick. It provides the sick a remedy for both spiritual and physical ailments, giving spiritual strength to bear sufferings as well as to receive pardon for their sins. By the grace of God, the anointing sometimes heals physical illness as testified by some.
Oil of Chrism takes its name from Christ, the “anointed of the Lord”. It is used in the sacrament of Confirmation. At the ordination of priests, Chrism is used to anoint the hands of the priests to consecrate bread and wine.
Significance of Anointing
Anointing has a threefold mission: a baptismal calling to be priestly, prophetic and kingly People of God.
“Tonight’s Chrism Mass is a celebration of our identity as the chosen People of God. Bishops, priests and lay faithful together, gathered here as one community of faith on a synodal journey. We journey together,” Archbishop Simon told the congregants.
The prelate thanked all the priests serving the 12 parishes in the Archdiocese of Kuching from as far as Saratok, Betong, Sri Aman, Bunan, Tebedu, Sematan, Lundu as well as the vicinity in and around Kuching for their presence and service to their communities.
Launching of Alkitab Versi Borneo-Deuterocanonical Books
A symbolic launch of the newly translated Word of God in Bahasa Malaysia took place after Sr Susan Dulang and Dr Helen Tan presented the Deuterocanonical Books (Kitab Suci Deutrokanonika), a companion of the Alkitab Versi Borneo, to Archbishop Simon Poh.
The Alkitab Versi Borneo (Vol 1) comprising 66 Books of the Bible from the Old and New Testament was launched in 2018. The Deuterocanonical Books (Vol 2) was launched at the Catholic Bishops Conference-Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei meeting in January 2024. With Vol 1 and Vol 2, the Catholic BM Bible is now complete.
Archbishop Simon thanked the whole team involved with the translations, led by Bishop Richard Ng and Archbishop Emeritus John Ha, with Christian Biblical consultors, translators from dioceses throughout Malaysia and many others who have worked tirelessly to complete the Deuterocanonical Books. “We are thankful to Fr Lazarus Swinie, Sr Susan, Dr Helen who are with us tonight,” he said, acknowledging those present.
The Chrism Mass concluded with Archbishop Simon Poh presenting a set of Holy Oils to the 12 parish rectors and rector of the seminary, to be used at their Easter Vigil Mass. He then bestowed a final blessing on the congregation.
