By Stanislaus Alla

New Delhi, March 27, 2024: Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli on March 26 joined prelates from the Latin and Syro-Malabar Churches to celebrate Chrism Mass at New Delhi’s Sacred Heart Cathedral.

Archbishop Anil Couto was the main celebrant of the religious service that is held during the Holy Week.

Besides the nuncio, he was joined by Archbishop Emeritus Vincent Concessao and Bishop Deepak Tauro of Delhi Latin diocese and Archbishop Kuriakose Bharanikulangara and Bishop Jose Puthenveetil of Faridabad Syro-Malabar Church.

Monsignor Kevin Kimtis and Father Alberto Napolitano from the nunciature were among 200 priests and several hundred religious who joined in the annual liturgical event.

Archbishop Anil Couto of Delhi giving the homily
Archbishop Couto said Chrism Mass manifests and celebrates unity, a characteristic feature that inseparably binds the clergy of the diocese, and those serving in it, with the diocesan bishop.

The renewal of the promises by priests, that are made at first during one’s ordination to priesthood, reflects a fundamental dimension of the Church.

United with the bishop, all clergy, religious and laity constitute the Church and together constantly strive to build it up, the archbishop explained.

At various levels, the same unity weaves us all into one, with those of other faiths as well as all of God’s children: ultimately, in Christ, the Anointed One, we are all united, Archbishop Couto said and added, “Upholding and promoting unity in the Church is essential.”

Traditionally, at Chrism Mass the bishop blesses oils to anoint the sick, to use on catechumens and for Sacred Chrism. Archbishop Couto blessed the oils that are used in the celebration of the Sacraments in the archdiocese.

Anointing a person with oil on a special occasion is a well-known Jewish custom, which is also observed in many cultures. Jesus is called ‘Christ,’ meaning the Lord’s ‘anointing one.’

The oils
Anointing with the oil is an indispensable dimension of Christian life – one’s faith pilgrimage starts with the baptism and ends with the anointing of the sick, received when gravely ill. Christians believe blessed oils continuously nourish and strengthen them as they take their spiritual journey forward.

In his homily, Archbishop Couto also spoke on the significance of anointing in Christians’ lives, and how it translates into an invitation to conform to Christ, to serve in the imitation of the Lord who came to serve and not to be served.

Commenting on the biblical passage that mentions of being anointed ‘to bring good tidings to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives, to let the oppressed go free and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord,’ Archbishop Couto stressed the need to understand the meaning and significance of this for current times. The Nazareth Manifesto is relevant and we need to grasp its implications, he added.

The Chrism Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral attracted Catholics from all walks of life – those who made Delhi their home, whether they come from south, west-coast, the northeast or central India.

The Chrism Mass is observed also by Christian denominations such as Lutherans and Anglicans.

In most churches in India, the Chrism Mass is celebrated in the Holy Week, either on Monday or Tuesday or another time suits the clergy and the faithful.

Pope Francis celebrated Chrism Mass at Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome on the morning of Maundy Thursday, March 28 this year.