2026 Mass of Chrism
Date posted on April 9, 2026
The Diocese of Hamilton gathered on March 30th at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King for the annual Chrism Mass. The liturgy was presided over by His Excellency, Bishop Joseph Dabrowski, CSMA, and brought together clergy, religious, and lay faithful from across the Diocese.
Held during Holy Week, the Chrism Mass is one of the most significant liturgies of the Church year. During the celebration, Bishop Dabrowski consecrated the Sacred Chrism and blessed the Oil of the Sick and the Oil of Catechumens — three holy oils that will be used throughout the coming year in the sacraments celebrated across the Diocese.
The Sacred Chrism is used in Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders; the Oil of the Sick in the Anointing of the Sick; and the Oil of Catechumens in preparation for Baptism. As Bishop Dabrowski noted in his homily, “the oils we bless today will be used throughout the year… These oils accompany us on our journey of faith from the beginning to end.”
A central moment of the Chrism Mass is the renewal of priestly promises. Priests of the Diocese stood together before the Bishop to reaffirm their commitment to serve faithfully in their ministry, a powerful sign of their unity with the Bishop and with one another.
Reflecting on the mission of all the faithful, Bishop Dabrowski reminded those gathered that through Christ, “we share in His mission as priests, prophets, and kings. This means that we are all sent. We are all called to bring the Good News into the world, each according to our vocation.” He described the Chrism Mass as a moment of renewal, adding, “I sometimes say jokingly that the Chrism Mass is like a spiritual checkup and oil change. We come here to be renewed, to be strengthened, to remember who we are.”
He also spoke to the deeper symbolism of oil in the life of the Church:
“Oil has wonderful qualities. It heals, it strengthens and consecrates. It soaks into our skin quietly but very deep. That is how the Holy Spirit works in us — not always in loud or dramatic ways, but gently, faithfully and deeply.”