The Chrism Mass is one of the most beautiful and significant liturgies in the life of any Catholic diocese. This year, on March 31, our community gathered at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans in Shreveport for this special celebration. With Bishop Malone presiding, the air was filled with a sense of deep devotion, unity, and the sweet fragrance of balsam.
Whether you’ve attended a Chrism Mass every year for decades or you’re just learning about it, it’s a sacred event that reminds us of who we are as a Church. It’s more than just a formal gathering. It’s a family reunion of sorts, where we prepare for the most sacred days of our liturgical year.
What is the Chrism Mass?
The Chrism Mass is traditionally celebrated during Holy Week. It’s a time when the entire local Church, from the bishop to the lay faithful, comes together. There are two main reasons this Mass is so important. First, the bishop blesses the holy oils that will be used in every parish throughout the coming year. Second, it’s the moment when our priests publicly renew the promises they made at their ordination.
Because we’re a diocese that covers a lot of ground across North Louisiana, we don’t always get to see each other in one place. We’re spread out from the Louisiana/Texas border in the west to the Louisiana/Mississippi border in the east, and down to Many in the south. But at the Chrism Mass, that distance disappears. We’re reminded that despite the miles between us, we’re all connected through the sacraments.
In Christ, We Are One
This year, our Catholic Service Appeal (CSA) slogan is “In Christ, We Are One.” Walking into the Cathedral on March 31, you could really feel the truth of those words. Even though we come from different towns, different backgrounds, and different parishes, we were there for the same purpose.
It was my first time attending the Chrism Mass as an employee of the Diocese of Shreveport, and I have to admit, it was an emotional experience. Looking out at the pews, my heart just swelled with affection for our community. You see the vastness of our diocese when everyone is gathered like that, but you also see the individual souls: the families, the volunteers, and the dedicated parishioners who make our Church a home. It’s a powerful reminder that while we’re many members, we’re one body.
The Blessing of the Oils
During the liturgy, Bishop Malone blessed three specific oils. These oils are essential to our life of faith, as they’re used in the sacraments that mark the most important moments of our lives.
- The Oil of the Sick (Oleum Infirmorum)
This oil is used for the Anointing of the Sick. It brings God’s strengthening grace to those who are struggling with illness, those approaching their final moments on earth, or those preparing for surgery. It’s a sign of God’s healing presence and a reminder that no one suffers alone.
- The Oil of Catechumens (Oleum Catechumenorum)
This oil is used to anoint those preparing for Baptism. It’s a symbol of strength and protection as they prepare to join the Church and turn away from sin. When you see a baby or an adult anointed with this oil, you’re seeing the beginning of a lifelong journey with Christ.
- The Sacred Chrism (Sacrum Chrisma)
This is the most “famous” of the three. It’s a mixture of olive oil and balsam, which gives it that distinct, beautiful aroma. The Sacred Chrism is used for Baptism, Confirmation, and the Ordination of priests and bishops. It’s also used to consecrate new altars and churches. When the bishop breathes over the vessel of Chrism, it’s a powerful sign of the Holy Spirit coming down upon us.
A Meaningful Moment for Our Priests
One of the most moving parts of the Mass was watching our priests stand together to renew their promises. They stood before Bishop Malone and the entire congregation to reaffirm their dedication to Christ and His Church.
Our priests give so much of themselves to our parishes. They’re there for our baptisms, our weddings, our confessions, and our final goodbyes. Seeing them all together, vowing to continue their service with humility and love, was truly humbling. It reminds us to pray for them and to support them in their ministry. They carry a heavy load, and seeing them united in their mission was a beautiful testament to their vocation.
A Community United in Service
The Chrism Mass also highlights the different groups that help our diocese thrive. It was wonderful to see so many organizations represented. Four of our seminarians as well as our permanent deacons and our deacon aspirants currently in formation were present, showing the future of service in our local Church.
We also had members of the Knights of Columbus, the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, the Knights of Peter Claver, and the Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary in attendance. Many of our religious sisters, who serve in our community day in and day out, were also in attendance. Each of these groups brings a unique charism to our diocese, and having them all under one roof at the Cathedral was a visual reminder of the “In Christ, We Are One” theme. We’re blessed to have so many people who are willing to put their faith into action through these organizations.
The Power of Sacred Music
Of course, the liturgy wouldn’t have been the same without the incredible music that lifted our hearts toward heaven. We’re so grateful to Aaron Wilson, the Director of Sacred Music at the Cathedral, and Gwen Stuart, the Director of Music Liturgy at St. Jude in Benton for directing the music for this special mass.
They didn’t work alone, though. They were joined by a variety of talented musicians and vocalists from parishes across the diocese. It was another great example of unity: people coming together from different locations to create something beautiful for the Lord. The music didn’t just fill the room; it helped us pray.
Why This Matters for You
You might be wondering how the Chrism Mass affects your daily life at your home parish. Well, the very next time you see a baptism, a confirmation, or an anointing of the sick at your church, know that the oils being used were the ones blessed by Bishop Malone during Holy Week.
When those oils are brought back to your parish, they carry the prayers of the entire diocese with them. They’re a tangible link between your local community and the wider Church. Every time a new member is brought into the faith or a sick person is comforted, the grace of the Chrism Mass is at work.
It’s easy to get caught up in our own lives or even just the goings-on of our own individual parishes. But we’re part of something so much bigger. We belong to a global Church, but we also belong to the local family of the Diocese of Shreveport. The Chrism Mass is the moment each year when that family comes together to say, “We’re in this together.”
Looking Forward
As we move forward into the rest of the year, I hope we can carry the spirit of the Chrism Mass with us. Let’s remember that “In Christ, We Are One.” Let’s look for ways to support our priests, welcome our new catechumens, and care for the sick in our midst.
If you weren’t able to join us at the Cathedral, I encourage you to look through the photos from the evening. The communications department did our best to capture the joy and the solemnity of the occasion. You can find the full photo gallery here: Chrism Mass 2026 Photo Gallery. Photography by Tracie Stroud and Sophia White, Diocese of Shreveport.
We’ve been given a great mission here in North Louisiana. Let’s continue to pray for one another and work together to share the love of Christ with everyone we meet.
