Each year during Holy Week, all of the holy oils to be used until Easter the following year are blessed at the Chrism Mass. Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila, along with the priests of the archdiocese, gather at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception for a special liturgy that signifies the unity of the priests with the bishop.
During the Chrism Mass, three oils in particular are blessed: the oil of catechumens, the oil of the infirm and holy chrism. Holy oils are an important element in the life of the Church whose uses can be traced back to the early Christians and even the Jewish people.TheChrism Mass is one of the highlights of the Easter season. Denver Catholic photographer Dan Petty was there to capture this year’s beautiful Chrism Mass.