Pope Benedict’s Chrism Mass homily: full text
April 01, 2010
“At the center of the Church's worship is the notion of ‘sacrament,’” begins Pope Benedict’s homily at the Chrism Mass, celebrated on Holy Thursday at Rome’s cathedral, the Lateran Basilica. “This means that it is not primarily we who act, but God comes first to meet us through his action, he looks upon us and he leads us to himself.”
“Another striking feature is this: God touches us through material things, through gifts of creation that he takes up into his service, making them instruments of the encounter between us and himself,” he continues. “There are four elements in creation on which the world of sacraments is built: water, bread, wine and olive oil.”
Reflecting on the significance of the holy oils, which are blessed at the Chrism Mass, the Pontiff then discussed the relation between anointing and priestly ministry.
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Further information:
- Chrism Mass, Homily of His Holiness Benedict XVI (Vatican Radio)
- Congregation for Divine Worship: Paschales Solemnitatis (The Preparation And Celebration Of The Easter Feasts, 1988)
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