By Rita McInerney

Priests of the archdiocese of Atlanta, in union with priests throughout the world, celebrated the annual Chrism Mass with Bishop James P. Lyke, OFM, on March 26 at the Cathedral of Christ the King.

"Today is our feast," the bishop told the clergy during his homily. "Today bishops and priests throughout the world gather as we do, to bless the oils and to renew their vows. Today our hearts eagerly respond to the mysteries of the Eucharist, and to the words creating our priesthood, 'Do this in remembrance of me.'"

Oils blessed by bishop will be used in the parishes during the year for the celebration of sacraments.

Earlier, as the priests gathered in the bright sun of an Atlanta spring day, there was an atmosphere of fellowship, a prelude to the joy of Easter Sunday, dispelling the gloom and sorrow of Holy Thursday and Good Friday.

As he began the liturgy, Bishop Lyke said the Mass holds a special "depth of meaning" for priests. The celebration of the liturgy, he went on to say, would honor the memory of Archbishop Paul J. Hallinan who died March 27, 1968.

Priests and deacons filled all but one or two rows of the cathedral's front section for the Chrism Mass. Several seminarians of the archdiocese, home for the Easter break, served on the altar.

During his homily, Bishop Lyke spoke of oil and water as the commanding symbols of God throughout the history of salvation.

"Oil has the power to heal and restore, water to cleanse ... We light the darkness with oil, we heat the chill of our winters with its generous energy. Water purifies and quenches the basic thirst of our bodies -- but oil adorns, polishes and enhances any surface, with the ability to catch light and suffuse it into rich colors and gentle pastels."

In the "generous flow" of oil, the bishop said, "we see a sign of the powers of Holy Orders springing from the source, which is Christ, to pass down among the bishops, priests and deacons. In its richness, we see a reflection of the unity which binds us together and makes us dear to one another in our ministry."

"Today we invest this fundamental substance with the noble power of the Gospel, the power to heal, to consecrate and to build faith." He spoke of the numerous uses of the oils and chrism in church life, in liturgy, in healing the sick, in consecrating bishops, priests, deacons, in dedicating churches, in baptizing.

"The oil that we apply comes from our hands, and in this gesture we are intimately linked with the faithful in the all-encompassing priesthood of Christ."

The oils are blessed, the bishop said, "for the health of the Church and the wealth of our souls."

In the solemn renewal of priestly vows, he went on to say, is the hope of the continuation of God's grace "so that we may undertake the service of His people. It is important that we partake in this renewal not only today but at the beginning of every day of our lives."

"Despite out strength, in the shadow of the Cross, we all must confess our weakness, and confront the sometime overpowering challenge of the priesthood. We all need constant renewal -- in our dedication to our work, in our firm resolve to be generous and in our desire to be like Christ. Our presence here witnesses our determination to renew the ministry of this Church, and to increase the spiritual depth of our lives."

Turning to the laity, Bishop Lyke thanked them "as a wonderful portion of God's flock," a strong and constant support. "Without faltering you have stood with us in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health ... God bless you for your witness and care."

Before dismissal, Bishop Lyke thanked the Christ the King middle school students who assisted in the parking lots and distributed programs before Mass. Another group earning his praise were the seminarians taking part in the liturgy.

Priests concelebrating on the altar were: Abbot Bernard Johnson, OSCO; Monsignor Donald Kiernan, and Fathers John Adamski, William Calhoun, Thomas Carroll, Edward Dillon, Henry Gracz, Albert Jowdy, Thomas Kenny, Edward Thein and Joseph Ware. Deacons assisting were Richard Johnson, Bill Edwards and Alfred Mitchell. Deacon Mitchell proclaimed the Gospel.

Music for the Chrism Mass was sung by the Cathedral Choir under the direction of Choirmaster Kevin Culver and music director Hamilton Smith.