PANAJI
The Presbyterian communion of priests with their Bishop and the blessings of the Holy Oils were part of the annual Chrism Mass of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman at the See Cathedral Church in Old Goa on Thursday at 10am.
The Chrism Mass was celebrated by Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao, Auxiliary Bishop Simiao Fernandes, Bishop Emeritus of Port Blair Alex Dias, Vicar General Jose Remedios Fernandes and priests from all over the Archdiocese.
In his homily, Auxiliary Bishop Simiao Fernandes highlighted three qualities a priest should have while fulfilling their ministry. “First is availability, and just as Jesus made himself available for the people, priests have to be available to their people in their needs.
“Secondly, a priest should be humble like the saviour, Just as Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, priests should be humble in their service, they should avoid clericalism.”
“In the third place, priests should be inclusive. They should try to reach out to all people under their care and give opportunities to as many as possible. Specially to reach out to those who have been kept as outcasts in society,” Bishop Fernandes said.
He also invited the people to pray for all priests and deacons of the Archdiocese, while also asking the people to pray for Cardinal Ferrao, who celebrated his episcopal ordination day. The Chrism Mass has special significance as the Bishop expresses his bond with priests and all faithful during the Mass.
The priests in their turn resolve to work under the fatherly care and guidance of their Bishop, who in turn asks for prayers from priests and faithful to help him reflect on the life of Christ. This unique celebration unites the Bishop, all priests working in the Archdiocese and the faithful they cater to. During the Chrism Mass, the Bishop also blessed the Holy Oils, namely, the Oil of the Catechumens (Oleum Catechumenorum), the Oil of the Sick (Oleum Infirmorum), and the Holy Chrism Oil (Sacrum Chrisma).
The Chrism mass ended with the releasing of Pastoral Diary for the coming Year by Cardinal Ferrao, Bishop Fernandes, Bishop Dias, Fr Jose Remedios Fernandes and Pastoral Secretariat Executive Secretary Fr Leo Fernandes.The Pastoral Diary which has the Schedule for Major events in the Archdiocese has been prepared under the direction of the Pastoral Secretariat of the Archdiocese.
