Chrism Mass highlights prayer for peace in troubled world #Catholic - At the annual Chrism Mass on March 31, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney encouraged the faithful to pray to Jesus, asking him to give them — and a broken world — “healing only he can give” as they contemplate Christ’s passion and resurrection in this Holy Week for the redemption of humanity.
Referring to Pope Leo XIV’s Palm Sunday homily, Bishop Sweeney also encouraged Catholics of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey to “share that healing and peace with others” in his homily during the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in New Jersey. The bishop also prayed for peace in the war-ravaged Middle East and Eastern Europe and for elected leaders in the United States, armed services personnel and their families, military chaplains, and victims of war and violence in the world.
Bishop Emeritus Arthur J. Serratelli, along with the priests of the diocese, attended to concelebrate the Mass with Bishop Sweeney, who was the homilist and principal celebrant. The priests renewed their priestly promises before the bishop and received the prayers and support of the faithful, who filled the cathedral during the liturgy, including deacons, religious, and laity.

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At the Mass, Bishop Sweeney first consecrated and blessed the Oil of the Sick, used for the Anointing of the Sick, and the Oil of Catechumens, for those preparing for baptism. He then consecrated the Sacred Chrism, which is used for baptism, confirmation, holy orders, and the dedication of altars. Once consecrated, these holy oils will be used in parishes throughout the diocese during the coming year for sacramental celebrations.
In his homily, Bishop Sweeney also prayed for and thanked everyone serving in the diocese, including priests, deacons, religious, seminarians, staff, and volunteers of the diocese and parishes.
“Tonight, as a Church united, we celebrate and give thanks for all the ways our diocese — because of each of you and many more — respond to the Lord’s great call and commission: ‘to go therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them, teaching them’ — and to our Lord Jesus and the love of his sacred heart, which is with us always until the end of time,” Bishop Sweeney said.
Following the Mass, representatives from each parish in the diocese received the holy oils, which they will use for the first time at the Easter Vigil. This annual blessing by the bishop unites him with the parishes as the oils are then used during sacramental celebrations.
As the celebration of Holy Week continues, Bishop Sweeney also urged diocesan faithful at the Chrism Mass to take up their spiritual cross on the road to Calvary.
“We ask for God’s guidance in difficult times, that the cross may lead us to the resurrection and share in his victory,” Bishop Sweeney said.
BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
 [See image gallery at beaconnj.org]  
Chrism Mass highlights prayer for peace in troubled world #Catholic - <img width="150" height="150" src="https://beaconnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/ChrismMass_2647-1b-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" /><p><strong>At the annual Chrism Mass</strong> on March 31, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney encouraged the faithful to pray to Jesus, asking him to give them — and a broken world — “healing only he can give” as they contemplate Christ’s passion and resurrection in this Holy Week for the redemption of humanity.</p> <p>Referring to Pope Leo XIV’s Palm Sunday homily, Bishop Sweeney also encouraged Catholics of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey to “share that healing and peace with others” in his homily during the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in New Jersey. The bishop also prayed for peace in the war-ravaged Middle East and Eastern Europe and for elected leaders in the United States, armed services personnel and their families, military chaplains, and victims of war and violence in the world.</p> <p>Bishop Emeritus Arthur J. Serratelli, along with the priests of the diocese, attended to concelebrate the Mass with Bishop Sweeney, who was the homilist and principal celebrant. The priests renewed their priestly promises before the bishop and received the prayers and support of the faithful, who filled the cathedral during the liturgy, including deacons, religious, and laity.</p> <hr> <h6 style="text-align: center"><a href="https://beaconnj.org/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.</span></a></h6> <hr> <p>At the Mass, Bishop Sweeney first consecrated and blessed the Oil of the Sick, used for the Anointing of the Sick, and the Oil of Catechumens, for those preparing for baptism. He then consecrated the Sacred Chrism, which is used for baptism, confirmation, holy orders, and the dedication of altars. Once consecrated, these holy oils will be used in parishes throughout the diocese during the coming year for sacramental celebrations.</p> <p>In his homily, Bishop Sweeney also prayed for and thanked everyone serving in the diocese, including priests, deacons, religious, seminarians, staff, and volunteers of the diocese and parishes.</p> <p>“Tonight, as a Church united, we celebrate and give thanks for all the ways our diocese — because of each of you and many more — respond to the Lord’s great call and commission: ‘to go therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them, teaching them’ — and to our Lord Jesus and the love of his sacred heart, which is with us always until the end of time,” Bishop Sweeney said.</p> <p>Following the Mass, representatives from each parish in the diocese received the holy oils, which they will use for the first time at the Easter Vigil. This annual blessing by the bishop unites him with the parishes as the oils are then used during sacramental celebrations.</p> <p>As the celebration of Holy Week continues, Bishop Sweeney also urged diocesan faithful at the Chrism Mass to take up their spiritual cross on the road to Calvary.</p> <p>“We ask for God’s guidance in difficult times, that the cross may lead us to the resurrection and share in his victory,” Bishop Sweeney said.</p> <div style="text-align: center;margin-bottom: 24px"><strong>BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI</strong></div> <div> [<a href="https://beaconnj.org/chrism-mass-highlights-prayer-for-peace-in-troubled-world/">See image gallery at beaconnj.org</a>]  </p> </div> - <img width="150" height="150" src="https://beaconnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/ChrismMass_2647-1b-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" />At the annual Chrism Mass on March 31, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney encouraged the faithful to pray to Jesus, asking him to give them — and a broken world — “healing only he can give” as they contemplate Christ’s passion and resurrection in this Holy Week for the redemption of humanity. Referring to Pope Leo XIV’s Palm Sunday homily, Bishop Sweeney also encouraged Catholics of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey to “share that healing and peace with others” in his homily during the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in New Jersey. The bishop also

At the annual Chrism Mass on March 31, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney encouraged the faithful to pray to Jesus, asking him to give them — and a broken world — “healing only he can give” as they contemplate Christ’s passion and resurrection in this Holy Week for the redemption of humanity.

Referring to Pope Leo XIV’s Palm Sunday homily, Bishop Sweeney also encouraged Catholics of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey to “share that healing and peace with others” in his homily during the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in New Jersey. The bishop also prayed for peace in the war-ravaged Middle East and Eastern Europe and for elected leaders in the United States, armed services personnel and their families, military chaplains, and victims of war and violence in the world.

Bishop Emeritus Arthur J. Serratelli, along with the priests of the diocese, attended to concelebrate the Mass with Bishop Sweeney, who was the homilist and principal celebrant. The priests renewed their priestly promises before the bishop and received the prayers and support of the faithful, who filled the cathedral during the liturgy, including deacons, religious, and laity.


Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

At the Mass, Bishop Sweeney first consecrated and blessed the Oil of the Sick, used for the Anointing of the Sick, and the Oil of Catechumens, for those preparing for baptism. He then consecrated the Sacred Chrism, which is used for baptism, confirmation, holy orders, and the dedication of altars. Once consecrated, these holy oils will be used in parishes throughout the diocese during the coming year for sacramental celebrations.

In his homily, Bishop Sweeney also prayed for and thanked everyone serving in the diocese, including priests, deacons, religious, seminarians, staff, and volunteers of the diocese and parishes.

“Tonight, as a Church united, we celebrate and give thanks for all the ways our diocese — because of each of you and many more — respond to the Lord’s great call and commission: ‘to go therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them, teaching them’ — and to our Lord Jesus and the love of his sacred heart, which is with us always until the end of time,” Bishop Sweeney said.

Following the Mass, representatives from each parish in the diocese received the holy oils, which they will use for the first time at the Easter Vigil. This annual blessing by the bishop unites him with the parishes as the oils are then used during sacramental celebrations.

As the celebration of Holy Week continues, Bishop Sweeney also urged diocesan faithful at the Chrism Mass to take up their spiritual cross on the road to Calvary.

“We ask for God’s guidance in difficult times, that the cross may lead us to the resurrection and share in his victory,” Bishop Sweeney said.

BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI

Chrism Mass highlights prayer for peace in troubled world #Catholic –

At the annual Chrism Mass on March 31, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney encouraged the faithful to pray to Jesus, asking him to give them — and a broken world — “healing only he can give” as they contemplate Christ’s passion and resurrection in this Holy Week for the redemption of humanity.

Referring to Pope Leo XIV’s Palm Sunday homily, Bishop Sweeney also encouraged Catholics of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey to “share that healing and peace with others” in his homily during the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in New Jersey. The bishop also prayed for peace in the war-ravaged Middle East and Eastern Europe and for elected leaders in the United States, armed services personnel and their families, military chaplains, and victims of war and violence in the world.

Bishop Emeritus Arthur J. Serratelli, along with the priests of the diocese, attended to concelebrate the Mass with Bishop Sweeney, who was the homilist and principal celebrant. The priests renewed their priestly promises before the bishop and received the prayers and support of the faithful, who filled the cathedral during the liturgy, including deacons, religious, and laity.


Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

At the Mass, Bishop Sweeney first consecrated and blessed the Oil of the Sick, used for the Anointing of the Sick, and the Oil of Catechumens, for those preparing for baptism. He then consecrated the Sacred Chrism, which is used for baptism, confirmation, holy orders, and the dedication of altars. Once consecrated, these holy oils will be used in parishes throughout the diocese during the coming year for sacramental celebrations.

In his homily, Bishop Sweeney also prayed for and thanked everyone serving in the diocese, including priests, deacons, religious, seminarians, staff, and volunteers of the diocese and parishes.

“Tonight, as a Church united, we celebrate and give thanks for all the ways our diocese — because of each of you and many more — respond to the Lord’s great call and commission: ‘to go therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them, teaching them’ — and to our Lord Jesus and the love of his sacred heart, which is with us always until the end of time,” Bishop Sweeney said.

Following the Mass, representatives from each parish in the diocese received the holy oils, which they will use for the first time at the Easter Vigil. This annual blessing by the bishop unites him with the parishes as the oils are then used during sacramental celebrations.

As the celebration of Holy Week continues, Bishop Sweeney also urged diocesan faithful at the Chrism Mass to take up their spiritual cross on the road to Calvary.

“We ask for God’s guidance in difficult times, that the cross may lead us to the resurrection and share in his victory,” Bishop Sweeney said.

BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI