Rather than presenting our regular Focus today, on Holy Thursday we offer a reflection from Gaile Pohlhaus, Ph.D., who has served VOTF as Secretary for the past four years and now takes on a new role as Chair of the Prayerful Voice National Working Group.

Holy Thursday is usually the day on which a special Mass is celebrated in the Cathedral of each diocese throughout the world. This Mass is called the Chrism or Chrismal Mass, and it is celebrated by the local Ordinary in the morning. During the Mass, each pastor receives the blessed oils to be used in sacramental ceremonies for his parish.

A second important rite also takes place at this Mass – read the words of Pope John Paul II from 2002; especially those in purple:

HOMILY OF JOHN PAUL II
Holy Thursday, 28 March 2002

“Dear brothers, today we renew our personal consciousness of the distinctive ministry that has been conferred upon us. In the Eucharist, the divine Teacher has entrusted to us the celebration of his own sacrifice: calling us in a closer way to follow him. For this reason, in today’s celebration, together we confirm our fidelity and our love for him, and confiding in the power of his grace, we renew the promises we made on the day of our Ordination.”

The 47 priests of the Diocese of Belleville, Illinois, confirmed their fidelity and love for following Jesus in their conscientious stand calling for the resignation of their local ordinary, Bishop Braxton.

Following the example of their fellow priests in the Archdiocese of Boston, these Illinois priests remained faithful to their ministry to the poor and to their call, as Jesus was called, to be accountable for their actions.

May we, as the Voice of the Faithful, renew our Baptismal commitment during this special time of the liturgical year. Let us continue to call our bishops to accountability in their words and actions.

In the name of the Crucified and Risen Jesus. Amen.