Chrism Mass 2025: Archbishop John Reflects on Christ as Anointed, Covenant, and Alpha and Omega

Mumbai, 10 April 2024 — The Archdiocese of Bombay gathered in solemn unity on Thursday evening as Archbishop John, alongside Bishops Alwyn D’silva and Dominic Savio Fernandes, His Eminence Oswald Cardinal Gracias and over 300 priests, celebrated the annual Chrism Mass at the Church of Our Lady of Salvation, Dadar — affectionately known as the Portuguese Church. Marking a sacred tradition ahead of Holy Thursday, the liturgy centred on the blessing of holy oils and the renewal of priestly vows, underscoring the Church’s mission of service and communion.

Homily - Three Titles of Christ Illuminate Mission In his homily, Archbishop John articulated a threefold mission that drew from Scripture three titles of Christ: the Anointed, the Covenant, and the Alpha and Omega.

Beginning with Christ the Anointed, he rooted his reflection in Isaiah 61:1-3 and Luke 4:18-19, emphasizing that baptism and ordination anoint the faithful “to be tangible witnesses of Jesus in a wounded world.” Addressing priests directly, he urged, “Our anointing is not for honour but for mission—to teach, shepherd, and radiate the Good News as ‘pilgrims of hope’ in this Jubilee Year. We are called to introduce Christ to those who have never known Him.”

Turning to Christ the Covenant, Archbishop John highlighted Isaiah’s vision of a unifying covenant binding humanity to God and one another. “Embracing Christ as Covenant demands total self-giving—a relationship of love with God and radical service to His people,” he said. This covenant, he stressed, compels the Church to bridge divisions and embody mercy.

Finally, reflecting on Christ the Alpha and Omega (Revelation 22:13), the Archbishop reminded the assembly that Christ, “the beginning and end of all things,” anchors the faithful amid life’s uncertainties. “The holy oils blessed today symbolize God’s accompaniment—from baptism to eternal life. In Christ, we find direction; in His grace, we draw strength.”

Renewal of Vows and Blessing of Oils Following the homily, Archbishop John invited the priests to renew their ordination promises, pledging obedience to the bishop and fidelity to preaching, sacramental ministry, and prayer. “Pray for your priests,” he urged the congregation, “that they may remain humble servants of Christ’s love.”

In a solemn procession, priests celebrating twenty five year of their ordination presented the three oils for blessing:

• Oil of the Sick, blessed first, will bring spiritual healing to the infirm.

• Oil of Catechumens, blessed next, prepares candidates for baptism to renounce sin and embrace new life.

• Sacred Chrism, mixed with fragrant balsam and consecrated last, signifies the “aroma of Christ.” Used in baptisms, confirmations, ordinations, and church dedications, it seals the faithful as “priests, prophets, and kings.”

A Communion of Hope The oils are distributed to each parishes after the mass and serves as sacramental signs of God’s abiding grace. As the Eucharist concluded, Cardinal Gracias offered words of gratitude to all his auxiliaries Bishop who have helped him in his 19 years as Archbishop of Bombay. He praised the “joy of priestly fraternity” and the enduring bond between the bishop and his presbyterate and emphasised that this bond will only grow stronger under the leadership of Bishop John.

In a world yearning for light, the Chrism Mass reaffirmed the Church’s call to be Christ’s anointed messengers—a covenant of love, journeying from Alpha to Omega, ever guided by the One who makes all things new.

Fr. Nigel Barrett