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IN THE DIOCESE
April 25 , 2017 | The Valley Catholic
Diocese of San Jose Prepared for Easter with the Blessing of the Holy Oils
By Liz Sullivan
As the days drew closer to Easter , the Diocese of San Jose celebrated a rite of Lent with the blessing of the oils during the Chrism Mass on April 4 at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph .
Bishop Patrick J . McGrath led priests during the Mass in the blessing of the oils to be used by the diocese in the coming year . The three oils – the Oil of Catechumens , the Oil of the Sick , and Sacred Chrism , will be used in the administration of the sacraments throughout the diocese ’ s 54 parishes . This tradition is noted in the early Church as found in the Gelasian Sacramentary ( named after Pope Gelasius I , d . 496 ) but was later absorbed into the Holy Thursday evening Mass . Pope Pius XII issued a new order for Holy Week , which reinstituted a special Mass of the Chrism , distinct from the evening Mass .
“ We will bless and consecrate these holy oils , knowing that on this very night they will be carried to every corner of this Diocese , uniting us and our prayer this evening to countless celebrations of the sacraments in the year ahead ,” said the Bishop during the homily . “ You and I , through what
The Diocese of San Jose celebrated a Rite of Lent with the blessing of the oils during the Chrism Mass on April 4 at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph led by Bishop Patrick J . McGrath .
we do this evening , are , in some way , present to every anointing of an infant or adult and of the ill and aged that these holy oils make possible . Sacraments are prayers of the whole Church ; as such , the sacraments that will be celebrated by the means of these oils are an extension of our liturgy tonight .”
Reflecting the population of the diocese , the Mass was celebrated in three languages : English , Spanish and Vietnamese . At the conclusion of the Mass , to honor these traditions a Mariachi band played , along with a performance by the San Jose Igbo Catholic Community Choir .
In addition to the blessing of the oils , the numerous priests who were in attendance renewed the promises they made at their ordination . The Diocese also welcomed Father Andrey Garcia from the Institute of the Incarnate Word and Father James Okafor from the Diocese of Awka in Nigeria into its presbyterate as priests of the Diocese of San Jose . Father Garcia is Parochial Vicar at Saint John Vianney Church and Father Okafor is Chaplain at Archbishop Mitty High School .
At the conclusion of the Mass , the Bishop presented Diana Macalintal , the Director of Worship , the Benedictus Award as she concluded her 15 years
Bishop McGrath presented Diana Macalintal , the Director of Worship , the Benedictus Award as she concluded her 15 years of service to the Diocese . Photos by Jen Vasquez
of service to the Diocese . The award takes its name from the Gospel Canticle of Zachary , The Benedictus , which in Latin simply means , “ Blessed be God .” The Award can be given in three areas : Liturgical Education , Liturgical Music and Liturgical Arts .
“ We wanted to honor Diana for her service to the church , to me and to the mission of the Diocese of San Jose ,” said the Bishop . “ By presenting you with the Benedictus Award , Diana , it is showing our appreciation in some small way for the great service you have given to me and the Diocese . We have been truly blessed . Thank you .”