Udupi: The blessings of Holy Oils and Priests’ Day celebrated at Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur, Udupi diocese on Thursday, 17th March, 2016. 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, Five deaneries deans and around 73 priests.

Prior to the start of the mass, the procession of priests led by Bishop proceeded towards Cathedral from Milagres Tri-centenary Hall. The blessings of the three Holy Oils was held during the mass at Milagres Cathedral which was usually held in diocesan Cathedral which was renovated partially. 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.

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.

During his homily, Bishop pointed out the characteristics, importance and role of catholic priests in particular. Bishop renewed the words of Pope Francis that a Priest is closely related to God. Priest has a powerful kind of compromise with the people and so Priests are mediators between God and faithful. God loves faithful so like Priests should love faithful in Christ’s way. Priest should love the people of faith because priest is the mediator of God. How a priest is near to God, in the same way, a priest should be near to others.

Good Shepherd very close and near to their ships likewise best priest brings people near. Priest should meet the people who lost like good Shepherd and canvass in favour of God. Priest’s power depends on his service. So priests should love and serve the poor, downtrodden, discarded and others.

Priest would have mercy with faithful people. Priest would be face of merciful God. Priests have been called for life of simplicity. Priest must be the role model of Jesus and his life should be like Jesus. Priest should be accountability in his life throughout. When priest has accountability, then people are happy. Priest should give blessings in the name of God to the people who are mediator of God. Bishop called the faithful people to pray for the priests who are going to serve the people of God.

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 another 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 the blessings of Holy Oils was held on Thursday, 17th March, 2016 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 a 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 of such importance as to call for.

At the end, the Rector of Cathedral Very Rev Fr. Stany B. Lobo gave gratitude of words for the event of blessings of Holy Oils. He also gave clergy, laity and other concerned for the same. Bishop also gave gratitude for the participation of faithful and clergy.

After the end of the mass, cold drink was served to all the participants from across the diocese which was donated from Steven Prema Lewis of Tenkabettu ward of Milagres.