As is the custom of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, the Chrism Mass (or the Mass of the Holy Oils) is celebrated on the Tuesday of Holy Week at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle in St. Petersburg. For 2021, that will be Tuesday, March 30th starting at 11:30 a.m.

Due to the coronavirus capacity limitations for the Cathedral, those invited to attend the the Chrism Mass will be limited to the priests and deacons of the diocese. The Chrism Mass will NOT be open to the general public; however, it will be livestreamed on our website, Facebook page and YouTube channel as well as broadcast on Spirit FM 90.5. 

During the Chrism Mass, Bishop Gregory Parkes will gather with the priests of the diocese for the blessing of the Oil of Catechumens, the Oil of the Sick, and the consecration of the Sacred Chrism.

The three oils will then be used throughout the next year 2021-22 for the celebration of sacraments and sacramentals. The Oil of the Sick (designated with the letters OI) is used for the anointing of the sick and the dying. The Oil of Catechumens (designated with the letters OC or OS) is used to anoint those welcomed into the Order of Catechumens prior to baptism. The Sacred Chrism (designated with the letters SC) is used in the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, the ordination of priests/bishops, and in the dedication of a church and/or and altar.

At this liturgy, the priests will also renew their promises to priestly ministry before the bishop. Twenty-one priests are celebrating milestone anniversaries this year. Click on the blue links marking each anniversary below to read their biographies.

25 Years of Episcopal Ministry
Most Rev. Robert N. Lynch

25 Years of Priestly Ministry
Rev. John J. Blum
Rev. Rafael E. Martos
Rev. Edwin Palka

40 Years of Priestly Ministry
Rev. Msgr. Ronald B. Aubin, J.C.L.
Rev. Francis H. Dionne
Rev. William R. Fickel, S.S.S.
Rev. Msgr. Robert C. Gibbons, J.C.L.
Rev. Thomas L. Madden
Rev. Robert J. Schneider

50 Years of Priestly Ministry
Rev. John Anglin, O.F.M.
Rev. Hugh M. Chikawe
Rev. Raymond E. Coolong, S.M.
Rev. Eugeniusz Gancarz
Rev. Mathew K. Illikattil
Rev. Paul F. McLaughlin
Rev. Pierre Pham Van Chinh
Rev. Jeremiah Reen, S.D.B.
Rev. Ignatius Tuoc

60 Years of Priestly Ministry
Rev. Msgr. James Aiden Foynes

65 Years of Priestly Ministry
Rev. Msgr. Dacian Dee

The three oils will then be used throughout the next year 2021-22 for the celebration of sacraments and sacramentals. The Oil of the Sick (designated with the letters OI) is used for the anointing of the sick and the dying. The Oil of Catechumens (designated with the letters OC or OS) is used to anoint those welcomed into the Order of Catechumens prior to baptism. The Sacred Chrism (designated with the letters SC) is used in the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, the ordination of priests/bishops, and in the dedication of a church and/or and altar.