Bangalore Archdiocese

By Fr Franklin Dsouza

Shivamogga, April 13 : The Diocese of Shimoga celebrated the Chrism Mass on April 10, 2025, at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Shivamogga.

On April 9, 2025, at 6:00 PM, all clergy serving in the Diocese of Shimoga gathered at the Pastoral Renewal Centre, Sannidhi, Shivamogga, for a recollection. Fr. Pius D'Souza led the prayer. Fr. Santhosh Pereira read the Word of God. At 6:15 PM, Bishop Francis Serrao, S.J., welcomed the preacher, Rev. Dr. Rudolf Pinto, O.C.D., Secretary to the CCBI Commission for Liturgy. Fr. Sunil Rodrigues, O.C.D., introduced him.

He spoke on two aspects: one on liturgy and the life of a priest, and another on holy oils, their history, meaning, and importance. At 7:15 PM, he led the adoration. Fr. Anthony Nazareth and Fr. Vinuth Balu helped in singing bhajans.

On April 10, 2025, at 6:45 a.m., Fr. Stany D'Cunha led the morning prayers. At 9:00 a.m., a preacher gave the second talk. Then, at 10:30 a.m., confessions were organized. Fr. J. B. Castelino, Fr. Eugene Lobo SJ, Fr. Sunil Rodrigues OCD, and Fr. Rudolf Pinto OCD helped in the confessional.

At 12:00 p.m., Bishop Francis Serrao SJ addressed his clergy and gave his message. He thanked the clergy for their cooperation and commitment in realizing the vision of Lord Jesus for the Diocese of Shimoga during the past 11 years of his tenure. He invited them to remain focused on the vocation and mission of the Holy Catholic Church.

Fr. Biju, Judicial Vicar, thanked the preacher and the Bishop for organizing the recollection. He also thanked Sannidhi Director Fr. Roshan Pinto. Bishop Francis Serrao SJ gave his priests rosaries blessed by Pope Francis as gifts.

In the evening at 5:30 p.m., the faithful gathered from around the diocese for the Chrism Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Shivamogga. After the Holy Rosary at 6:00 p.m., Most Rev. Dr. Francis Serrao, S.J., Bishop of the Diocese of Shimoga, concelebrated the Chrism Mass with the clergy of the diocese. A large number of religious and faithful took part in the Chrism Mass. All priests renewed their priestly vows before the bishop. The bishop also blessed the holy oils: oil of the sick, oil of catechumens, and sacred chrism.

In his homily, the bishop explained the meaning of the holy oils and their significance.

He said, quoting Pope Paul VI: "The Chrism Mass is one of the principal expressions of the fullness of the bishop's priesthood and signifies the closeness of the priests with him." While the oil of the catechumens and the oil of the sick are simply "blessed," the sacred chrism is "consecrated."

Chrism—used in the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders, as well as for the consecration of altars and the dedication of churches. The oil of catechumens (formerly known as the oil of exorcism)—also used in the sacrament of Baptism. The oil of the sick—used only in the rite of the Anointing of the Sick.

In his homily, he stressed that we are at the service of the Church; as Jesus washed the feet of the disciples, we need to be humble and simple in our approach with the people of God. He also invited the faithful to pray for their priests.

Rector of the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Shivamogga, Monsignor Very Rev. Fr. Stany D'Souza, Vicar General, thanked Bishop Francis, the clergy, and all the faithful. The program concluded at 7:30 p.m.