At Chrism Mass, Archbishop Fabre calls on the faithful to pour themselves out in service to God 

The Chrism Mass, celebrated each year on Tuesday of Holy Week, is “no ordinary liturgy,” said Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre at the mid-morning Mass March 31.

The special liturgy “invites us into the painful and yet glorious mystery of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ,” he said at the beginning of his homily.

“The Holy Week liturgies invite us to remember that Jesus achieves our salvation through his own kenosis, a Greek word meaning his self-emptying and pouring out of himself,” said Archbishop Fabre. “This pouring out on the part of Jesus is a very rich image for us to reflect on as we gather to celebrate the mystery of this Chrism Mass and to consider what the oils we bless invite us to pray about and to put into practice in our lives.” 

The Chrism Mass once again drew hundreds, leaving standing-room only in the back of the Cathedral of the Assumption in downtown Louisville. More than 150 priests who serve in the archdiocese renewed their priestly promises during the liturgy. Also participating were deacons, seminarians, women and men religious and laity — including children — who represented parishes and schools around the archdiocese.

‘May we all continue to open ourselves together to becoming a church here in the Archdiocese of Louisville, where the presence of Christ is not just remembered or admired, but encountered and made visible, poured out in love in service to all.’

— Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre

During the liturgy, Archbishop Fabre blessed decanters of olive oil as the oil of the sick and the oil of catechumens. He consecrated olive oil, which he mixed with balsam, for the sacred chrism. The oils will be used around the archdiocese for administering sacraments over the next year.

“Our actions here reflect Jesus’ own pouring out of himself,” noted Archbishop Fabre during his homily. “Throughout the coming year, these oils will be poured out in sacramental anointings. Poured out in our lives and in our faith, these oils will impact every stage of the Christian journey.” 

Explaining the purpose of each oil, he said, “The oil of catechumens strengthens those preparing for baptism. The sacred chrism seals the baptised and those who are confirmed, ordains priests and bishops, and anoints the altar and walls of churches when they are dedicated. The oil of the sick asks for God’s healing and offers comfort to those who are ill.

“Just as Christ poured himself out completely, these oils symbolize God’s grace poured out, flowing freely into our lives,” he said. “When poured into the lives of the faithful, these oils convey the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.” 

The Chrism Mass, he noted, “invites us to reflect on our commitment to live out Christ pouring out of himself in our daily lives.”

He went on to directly address each group gathered for the Mass, from clergy and religious to laity.

To priests 

Speaking directly to the gathered priests, he said, the Chrism Mass “is an opportunity to remember who Jesus calls us to be as his priests.”

“We are to serve others, even those we meet when they are not at their best or those we meet when we are not at our best,” he said.

He cautioned against the weaknesses of egotism and clericalism and the temptation of self-centeredness.

“People look to us … in all aspects of our lives to be examples of Jesus Christ, the one who seeks to serve everyone’s needs,” he said, noting that in every interaction — from homilies to social media posts, “We are to pour out ourselves as servant leaders.”

He went on to thank the priests — his “chief collaborators in ministry” — for “the many ways you pour yourselves out daily in service to the Lord and to the faithful. I promise to strive always to deserve your support.”

To deacons and their wives

Addressing “my dear brother deacons,” Archbishop Fabre said, “Through your ordination, your diaconal ministry demonstrates the universal kingship of Christ, characterized by justice, mercy and service.” 

“As a humble sign of your dedication and in the spirit of Jesus Christ the Servant, you are called to wholeheartedly dedicate yourselves in humble service to your wives, to your families, your pastors and the faithful you lovingly serve,” said Archbishop Fabre. “As you pour yourself out in ministry, keep encouragement close to your heart, as you continue to live out the calling to go and announce the Gospel of Peace.

“Reach out with compassion to those on the margins, the sick, the imprisoned, the impoverished, and stand firm in advocating for them within our communities,” he said.

Turning to the wives of deacons, Archbishop Fabre said, “I sincerely thank you for your compassionate and ongoing support, as you serve alongside your husbands in their diaconal ministry and the care that you give to your families.”

To consecrated men and women religious

“Pour yourselves out as an eschatological sign of what the church is becoming at the end of time,” he said to men and women religious. “I thank you for your dedication in ministries and for the support, dear brothers and sisters, you provide to our faith community here in the Archdiocese of Louisville.”

To seminarians

“My dear seminarians, as you discern your call to the priesthood in the archdiocese, I encourage you to continue pouring yourselves out and fully dedicating yourselves to the process of formation and to listening to your formators,” he said. “Remember that you are not preparing for a career, but for a life shaped by Jesus Christ as a priest. If you are indeed called to ordained ministry, your life will be poured out in service to God.”

To lay ecclesial ministers and all laity

Archbishop Fabre also spoke to lay ecclesial ministers — those who serve in archdiocesan agencies, parishes and schools — as well as to the “beloved members of the lay faithful.”

“The oils we bless are for you and for all of us. Present here for this Chrism Mass, you are more than just spectators. You are part of the very reason these oils are consecrated and blessed,” he said. 

“The sacramental grace conveyed by these oils, along with the ministry of our priests, will be poured into your lives. Just as the apostolic mission in the early church began in Jerusalem and extended to the ends of the earth, the starting point for us today is right here, right now, within our communities throughout the 24 counties that form this wonderful Archdiocese of Louisville here in central Kentucky,” said Archbishop Fabre.

Noting the call of the laity to serve as missionary disciples, he said, “The Lord sends you to pour yourselves out as you share faith with others.”

To all

He concluded his homily with a prayer for all — bishops, priests, deacons, consecrated religious, seminarians, lay ecclesial ministers and members of the faithful: “May we all continue to open ourselves together to becoming a church here in the Archdiocese of Louisville, where the presence of Christ is not just remembered or admired, but encountered and made visible, poured out in love in service to all.”

“May we as an archdiocesan family, transformed by the sacraments and the sacred oils, shine forth as a sign of unity and an instrument of God’s peace,” he said.

Pastoral Planning Process

During his homily, the archbishop also noted the archdiocese’s ongoing Pastoral Planning Process, a comprehensive study of parishes and the needs of the Catholic community. A draft plan issued in mid-March suggests a variety of changes, including parish closures, mergers and clusters. The draft plan is now being examined as part of a consultation process with pastors and parish leaders.

Speaking to the priests, Archbishop Fabre said, “As we continue our Pastoral Planning Process with the Lord, with one another and with those entrusted to our pastoral care, we must remember that while the passion is the story of Jesus, we also share in it.” 

“The Pastoral Planning Process is both challenging and hope-filled,” he said. “Through our efforts together … we know that it will lead to the power of the resurrection, bringing new life and renewed commitment.”

In closing his homily, he continued on that theme, saying, “Although we are currently experiencing some of the passions of Jesus Christ, our hope remains and is firmly rooted in the resurrection and the new life that our archdiocese will know.

“The Lord, who poured himself out in service to all, will not leave us alone or confused, but will surely bring success to the work of the church that we undertake together, poured out as a local church in service to the Gospel,” he concluded.