THE
P RTAL
April 2016
Page 13
A Glorious Chrism mass!
Ordinariate clergy gathered with the Ordinary,
Mgr Keith Newton, and many laity, for the Chrism Mass
celebrated by His Eminence Archbishop Antonio Mennini,
the Papal Nuncio . . . Will Burton was there for us
O
ne has attended many a Chrism mass over the years, and they have all been special. Clergy gathered
around their Ordinary, remaking their ordination vows, the blessing of the Holy Oils and many laity
there to support. Yet the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham’s Chrism mass this year was especially
special!
Archbishop Mennini addressed everyone after
The ranks of clergy filled the central pews, and
Archbishop Antonio Mennini, the Papal Nuncio, once mass and announced that the Holy Father not only
again, was the Principal Celebrant. The homily was sent “fraternal greetings” to the Ordinariate, but
has also sent a “substantial sum of money to help
given by Mgr Keith Newton, the Ordinary.
with the formation of our Seminarians”. It must
He announced that the day was 21st March, “National be acknowledged that His Eminence, Archbishop
Fragrance Day”. This was, he said, appropriate for the Mennini is a true friend to the Ordinariate.
Chrism mass. The Oil of Catechumens and the Oil of
the Sick are blessed at the Chrism mass, but so is the Oil
However, the Chrism mass had other glories to
of Chrism, the oil from which the mass takes its name. share with us. Thanks must go to Keith Brown, the
Chrism, because a sweet smelling fragrance is added Director of Music, and the Choir. Their performance
to the oil. Mgr Newton spoke about the way smell of Mozart’s “Sparrow” mass and Elgar’s “The Spirit of
pulls at one’s memory; freshly baked bread or cake, the Lord” together with Bruckner’s “Ecce sacerdos”,
and woodsmoke. He quoted St Paul in II Corinthians were magnificent.
about us spreading the fragrance of Christ.
The choir was joined by Paul Davis and Stuart Miles
He continued to point out that we are the aroma of at the organ (not at the same time though!) and three
Chrism, used as it is in the sacraments of Baptism, trombones and two trumpets. It is not an exaggeration
Confirmation and Holy Order. ”Confirmation is to to say that the music was “truly magnificent”. All the
Baptism what Pentecost is to Easter”. It was a good musicians excelled themselves. Their contribution to
homily that spoke to everyone present, especially the the Chrism mass was wonderful. It was a privilege to
priests, for whom – of course – it was designed.
be present at the celebration.
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