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Catholic World News News Feature

Vatican prelate praises Pope's "serene abandonment" March 24, 2005

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, presided at the annual Chrism Mass in Rome on Holy Thursday, replacing the ailing Pope John Paul II.

At the start of the ceremony, Cardinal Re read a message from the Pontiff, in which the Holy Father said that he would be following the ceremony by closed-circuit television in his apartment, and joining the priests of Rome in prayer. "With you I give thanks to God for the gift and mystery of our priesthood," he said.

The Chrism Mass, at which the bishop of each diocese blesses the holy oils for sacramental use during the year, is annual celebration of the priesthood and the communion of priests with their bishops. The Pope urged the Roman clerics to renew the vows they had made "with generous enthusiasm" on the day of their ordination.

During his own homily, Cardinal Re thanked the Pope for his witness, praising his "serene abandonment to God." Although he was not physically present, the cardinal observed that the Holy Father was "more present than ever" in spirit with his priests.

The Chrism Mass is the last liturgical ceremony before the Easter Triduum, which begins on Holy Thursday evening with the Mass of the Lord's Supper. Cardinal Alfonso Lopez Trujillo, the president of the Pontifical Council for the Family, will preside at that ceremony in St. Peter's Basilica.

The Vatican still has not announced who will preside at the Way of the Cross on Good Friday in the Roman Coliseum. The absence of any announcement has encouraged speculation that Pope John Paul II hopes to participate-- almost certainly by a televised appearance.