WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Tuesday evening, April 8, His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Archbishop for the Military Services, USA, and President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), blessed and consecrated sacred oils for sacramental use over the coming year in Catholic communities on U.S. Military sites worldwide, and in the nation’s VA Medical Centers. The rites took place at the annual Chrism Mass of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), where dozens of bishops, priests, and chaplains serving the U.S. Military and the VA also renewed their ministerial commitment to Jesus Christ and His Church.
His Excellency celebrated the Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. More than two-hundred faithful including active-duty service members filled the pews of the Crypt Church to participate in the 6:00 p.m. liturgy. Members of the Cadet Catholic Choir of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY, raised voices in sacred song.
In his homily, drawing on the theme of “hope” decreed by Pope Francis during this Jubilee Year in the Catholic Church, Archbishop Broglio called on those gathered to focus on Jesus Christ, “the Lord of history and the only hope for humanity.” His Excellency shared thoughts on recent public controversy surrounding his calls for the Nation to serve the needs of immigrants and refugees seeking safe harbor in the U.S. from violence and persecution in their native lands:
“Lately, people have gone out of their way to illustrate my ‘errors’ for speaking in favor of caring for the migrant and welcoming the stranger. I have no creative response to justify my message. It is simply what Matthew wrote when he quoted the Lord Jesus: ‘I was a stranger, and you welcomed me. Hungry, and you fed me. Thirsty, and you gave me to drink. Naked, and you clothed me.’ In our quest to see the Lord, we only have to look there, and we meet Him, as He identifies with those most in need.
“It is a part of the commitment that we, Your Excellencies and reverend Fathers, renew this evening. We preach the message of the Gospel in word and in deed. We encourage our sisters and brothers in their responsibility to give witness to that message of hope. The role is certainly a privilege, but it also bears a certain cost. In the words of Catherine de Hueck Doherty, people chosen by God very specifically and uniquely appear to be especially ‘big grains of wheat.’ They will feel more deeply the weight of the grinding stone. They will also be larger, more luscious grapes, and they will suffer more from the wine press, but they will contribute more flower and more wine for the sacrifice, provided they allow themselves to be guided by the Holy Spirit and the will of the Father.
“We offer that participation in the Cross on our paten this evening of blessing and renewal. The times might challenge our commitment. The weight of years might stoop our shoulders. Illness might lessen the ability to meet every expectation, and the price of sacrifice, a bit more than I expected. Yet we remember that eagerness of our response to the Lord’s call, the joy of going to His altar, and the constancy of His loving support.
“We celebrate that constancy this night, and we rejoice the presence of the people of the Lord and the sight of reinforcement in the seminarians and transitional deacons. The Body of Christ is made up of many members. And all work together to serve Him.”
Following the renewal of priestly commitment, Archbishop Broglio raised hands over three urns at the foot of the altar. His Excellency blessed the Oil of the Catachumens and the Oil of the Sick, and he mixed balsam with oil forming the “chrism” to be used at baptism, breathing over the mixture as part of the consecration rite.
Among priests and chaplains joining Archbishop Broglio at the altar were Auxiliary Bishops F. Richard Spencer, Neal J. Buckon, Joseph L. Coffey, Richard B. Higgins (Ret.), Bishop-Elect Gregg M. Caggianelli, and retired Bishop Paul Loverde of Arlington, VA. Also concelebrating were the AMS Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, Monsignor Anthony R. Frontiero, S.T.D.; Judicial Vicar Father Mark Rutherford, J.C.L.; Vocations Director Father Paul-Anthony Halladay, CH (MAJ), USA (Ret.), former AMS Chancellor Monsignor Robert R. Cannon, J.C.L., Ch, Col, USAF (Ret.); and Monsignor Walter R. Rossi, Rector of the Basilica.
Co-Sponsored Seminarians and deacons assisted at the altar. The Reverend Mr. Michael Sampson and the Rev. Mr. Erin Donlon served as Deacons of the Mass. The Rev. Mr. Raymond Goins, Deacon Joe Pak, and Dominican Brother Pius Henry, O.P., served as Deacons of the Oils. Midshipman Third Class Andrew Sinclair of the U.S. Naval Academy and Cadet Bradley Diller of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point served as lectors.
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