Cathedral Liturgy at its Best

The Phoenix Diocese Chrism Mass this evening was the best cathedral liturgy has to offer. From the opening hymn, Laudate Dominum, to O Redeemer at the Procession with Oils, through the final song, Sumus Domus Domini, priests, prelates, and people sang with aplomb.

The gathered priests stood before the assembly and responded, “I am”, as Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted led the Renewal of Commitment to Priestly Service with the following questions:

My brothers, today we celebrate the memory of the first Eucharist, at which our Lord Jesus Christ shared with His apostles and with us His call to the priestly service of His Church. Now, in the presence of your bishop and God’s holy people, are you ready to renew your own dedication to Christ as priests of His New Covenant?

At your ordination you accepted the responsibilities of the Priesthood out of love for the Lord Jesus and His Church. Are you resolved to unite ourselves more closely to Christ and to try to become more like Him by joyfully sacrificing your own pleasure and ambition to bring His peace and love to your brothers and sisters?

Are you resolved to be faithful ministers of the mysteries of God, to celebrate the Eucharist and the other liturgical services with sincere devotion? Are you resolved to imitate Jesus Christ, the Head and Shepherd of the Church, by teaching Christian faith without thinking of your own profit, solely for the well-being of the people you were sent to serve?

Just prior to the closing, the priests rejoined the Bishop in the sanctuary. The presbyterate extended their hands as the Bishop offered the prayer of Consecration of the Sacred Chrism.

All-in-all, cathedral liturgy at its best.