During the Chrism Mass, celebrated this Tuesday in the Cathedral, the priests of the archdiocese they renewed their priestly promises before the archbishop, Sergio Gualberti. The mass, preceded by the archbishop, was concelebrated by the auxiliary bishops: Braulio Saez, Stanisław Dowlaszewicz and René Leigue.
In this celebration, which takes place within the framework of Holy Week, the Holy Chrism is consecrated and the oils are blessed, that will be used in different sacraments.
In his homily, the archbishop asked the priests to be witnesses of hope: “As priests, beyond our limitations and weaknesses, we have to always be ready to give the reason for our hopenot just any hope, but the hope of Christ, which has been sown by the grace of baptism, fulfilled in the sacrament of (priestly) orders and manifested in the gospel of life and love”.
He also asked them to be ministers of God’s mercy, “forgiving and encouraging forgiveness to overcome hate, resentment and revenge”.
Gualberti also mentioned the challenges that priests must face, he referred to religious indifference, the lack of a sense of ecclesial belonging of many baptized people, clericalism and “heThe abuses of some members of the clergy, which cause so much pain and disappointment in the people of God and in the world.” However, he encouraged the priests not to be discouraged and to renew their faith.
During the celebration, the archbishop consecrated the Holy Chrism and the oils that were used in the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, anointing of the sick and the priestly order.
East Wednesday the 13th, the Catholic Church has designated it for the sacrament of reconciliation or penance, so the faithful who want to confess can do so in the different temples of the archdiocese. In addition, in the Cathedral there will be two penitential celebrations, the first at 11:30 a.m. and the second at 7:00 p.m.