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. The Chrism 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.
Three different holy oils are blessed during the Chrism Mass: the oil of catechumens, the oil of the infirm and chrism oil. (Photo by Daniel Petty/A&D Photography)
Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila greets a young faithful during the Chrism Mass on March 23 at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. (Photo by Daniel Petty/A&D Photography)
Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila presents the wine for consecration during the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. (Photo by Daniel Petty/A&D Photography)
All priests from around the archdiocese are invited to attend the Chrism Mass, during which all the Holy Oils they’ll use in their own parishes are blessed. (Photo by Daniel Petty/A&D Photography)
Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila reverently blesses the altar with incense at the beginning of the Chrism Mass. (Photo by Daniel Petty/A&D Photography)