MORE than 300 priests and hundreds more of the lay faithful in the Archdiocese of Manila gathered at the Manila Cathedral on Holy Thursday for the celebration of the Chrism Mass, the first after two years of being unable to do so because of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

The Chrism Mass is a liturgical celebration done only in one church of a particular Diocese, in this case the Cathedral. It is held on the morning of Holy Thursday and is often the largest annual gathering of the clergy. The Mass is a celebration of the institution of the priesthood. During the Mass, those present are called to renew their priestly vows. Also during the celebration, the oil of Chrism, the oil to be used in baptism, at confirmation, at the ordination of a priest and bishop, and also at the dedication of a church or an altar, are consecrated or blessed.