Pope Francis: Homily at Holy Thursday Chrism Mass (full text)

March 28, 2013

"Dear Brothers and Sisters, this morning I have the joy of celebrating my first Chrism Mass as the Bishop of Rome. I greet all of you with affection, especially you, dear priests, who, like myself, today recall the day of your ordination.

"The readings of our Mass speak of the 'anointed ones': the suffering Servant of Isaiah, King David and Jesus our Lord. All three have this in common: the anointing that they receive is meant in turn to anoint God’s faithful people, whose servants they are; they are anointed for the poor, for prisoners, for the oppressed… A fine image of this 'being for' others can be found in the Psalm: 'It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down upon the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down upon the collar of his robe' (Ps 133:2). The image of spreading oil, flowing down from the beard of Aaron upon the collar of his sacred robe, is an image of the priestly anointing which, through Christ, the Anointed One, reaches the ends of the earth, represented by the robe" ... [click link below for full text of homily]

 

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Further information:

• Pope: Homily for Chrism Mass [full text] (Vatican Radio)
• Chrism Mass 2013: Booklet for the Celebration (Office for the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff)