Coming together across the diocese for Chrism Services
Rev. June Yañes (MTS, Asst. Chaplain, St Boniface), M. Eric Sibomana (Chaplain in the prisons of Brussels and Nivelles),
Rev Alison Heal (Curate, All Saints, Luxembourg)
Every year during Holy Week, services are held at which the Clergy and Readers of the Diocese are invited to reaffirm before the Bishop or a bishop commissioned by him to act on his behalf the promises and commitments they have made in their ministry. At the same time, oils that are used throughout the year for ministry to the sick, for Christian initiation, and for ordination are set aside.
These services are facilitated by various chaplaincies across the diocese, and this year there were 7 such services; as such, many logistics and preparations are required. One of those is decanting the oils into vials:
The services were held as follows.
Bishop Robert officiated at St Ursula’s, Bern (30th March) and St Georges, Madrid, (1st April)
Taken from the Facebook channel of The Anglican Church in Mallorca, who attended the Chrism in Madrid;
"At its core, the Chrism Mass is a service of unity, renewal, and consecration. It emphasizes the shared ministry of the Church, rooted in Christ’s priesthood. The name “Chrism” comes from the Greek chrisma, meaning “anointing,” which points to the central act of the service: the blessing and consecration of holy oils...
The Chrism Mass is far more than a ceremonial tradition. It is a profound expression of unity, service, and sacred purpose within the Anglican Church. Through the renewal of vows and the blessing of oils, it connects the life of each parish to the wider mission of the Church, grounded in Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit."
Bishop Andrew officiated at St Margaret’s, Budapest (30th March), Holy Trinity, Nice (1st April) and St Michael’s, Paris (31st March)
"It was a joy to welcome colleagues from across Northern France as well as Lyon. Wonderful South Asian cuisine was shared after the service , which was led by Bishop Andrew.”
Chaplain of St. Michael’s Church Paris. The Rev’d Canon Jay Colwill
"The Chaplaincy of Saint Margaret's, Budapest, was privileged to host what was likely the very first celebration of a Chrism Service in the Eastern Archdeaconry. Suffragan Bishop Andrew Norman celebrated Palm Sunday with the Saint Margaret's community, and the Chrism Service took place on Monday, 30 March, attended by clergy and laity from across Central Europe,including the Revd Ádám Bak, locum at Christ Church Vienna; the Revds Frank Hegedűs and John Wilson of Saint Margaret's; the Revd Lea Williams of the Anglican Church in Brno; and the Revd Nevsky Everett of the Church of the Resurrection in Bucharest, who traveled by sleeper train to participate.
The Service included the moving rite in which clergy and laity recommit themselves to their ministries and the traditional blessing of the Holy Oils to be used throughout the year. The service was followed by a vegetarian soup lunch prepared by Saint Margaret's member, Alan Morrice."
Bishop Michael Langrish officiated at All Saints, Rome (31st March) and The Pro-Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, Brussels (1st April)
"Bishop Michael spoke very evocatively about oil, reminding the congregation about its rather everyday nature yet its huge significance, when connected to God's grace. Lay people, licenced Readers, priests and the bishop himself were then asked to reaffirm their calling to share God's grace and love with the world. We then enjoyed a delicious vegetarian meal from the Holy Trinity Brussels Kitchen, appreciating the chance to chat to others from the Archdeaconry."
Rev Alison Heal, Curate at All Saints, Luxembourg
With many thanks to all those who took and shared photographs of the events.
Please continue to hold all in your prayers at this special and important time of year.