On April 15, the diocese celebrated the annual Chrism Mass at Sacred Heart Church in Rancho Cucamonga, with Bishop Albert Rojas as the chief celebrant.
“I always look forward to this day because it brings me a lot of joy to come back to this point where we come together as a Church, it’s a good representation of the diocese, and with all my brother priests here together,” said Bishop Rojas during his homily. “We also bless the oils, which mean a lot to us through the celebrations of the Sacraments, showing how Jesus makes his presence felt through them for our salvation. There’s always a sense of joy and a sense of gratitude to me when I come to this Mass every year.”
After the homily, Bishop Rojas invited the diocesan priests to stand and renew their vocational promises.
“Thank you, brother priests, for who you are and all you do,” Bishop Rojas said. “Beloved brothers, on the anniversary of that day when Christ our Lord conferred his priesthood on his apostles and on us, are you resolved to renew in the presence of your bishop and God’s holy people the promises you once made?” Bishop Rojas asked the priests.
Following the vow renewal, various clergy brought forth the oils to be consecrated into the sacred Chrism. Bishop Rojas consecrated the sacred Chrism used to anoint the newly baptized and those to be confirmed during Easter Vigil. Bishop Rojas also blessed the Oil of Catechumens that catechumens are prepared and disposed for Baptism and blessed the Oil of the Sick.