On March 26 of 2026, I was invited to assist at a Chrism Mass at St. Jerome Cathedral on March 31st by Emilio Velo, Permanent Deacon.

The Chrism Mass is a major celebration of Holy Week, presided over by the bishop and attended by his priests (the presbyterium), during which he consecrates the Holy Chrism and blesses the oils for the sick and catechumens. Held in the diocesan cathedral, it manifests the unity of the local Church and allows priests to renew their priestly vows.

Key elements of the Chrism Mass:
The Holy Chrism, a mixture of olive oil and perfumes, is consecrated by the bishop. It is used for baptisms, confirmations, ordinations, and the dedication of churches.

The other oils: the oil of catechumens (for those preparing for baptism) and the oil of the sick (for the sacrament of the sick) are blessed.

Renewal of vows: The priests (and sometimes deacons) renew their commitment to the service of Christ and the Church before the bishop.

Moment of Communion: This is a diocesan gathering that brings together priests, deacons, consecrated persons, and the faithful from all sectors.

Calendar: Traditionally, Holy Thursday is often celebrated on Tuesday or Wednesday of Holy Week for practical reasons.

These holy oils are then distributed to the parishes for use throughout the liturgical year

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Saint-Jérôme (Latin: Dioecesis Sancti Hieronymi Terraebonae) is a Latin rite suffragan of the Archdiocese of Montréal. Its cathedral episcopal see is Cathédrale Saint-Jérôme, dedicated to Saint Jerome (Hieronumus), in Saint-Jérôme, Quebec. It was erected on 23 June 1951 as the Diocese of Saint-Jérôme (Latin: Sancti Hieronymi Terræbonæ), on territories split off from (its Metropolitan) the Archdiocese of Montréal, the Archdiocese of Ottawa and the Diocese of Mont-Laurier. On 1 June 2022, the Diocese of Saint-Jérôme and the Diocese of Mont-Laurier were united to become the Diocese of Saint-Jérôme–Mont-Laurier. As of 2014, it pastorally served 446,000 Catholics (97.2% of the 459,000 total) across 2,116 km2 in 35 parishes, with 67 priests (52 diocesan, 15 religious), 18 deacons, 118 lay religious (21 brothers, 97 sisters), and 3 seminarians. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diocese_of_Saint-Jerome_Mont-Laurier