Archdiocesan news

Blessed holy oils

(Photos by Jacob Wiegand, jacobwiegand@archstl.org) From right, Father Kevin Schroeder, Father Edward Nemeth, Father Matt Stewart, SJ, and Father Jason Schumer raised their hands with other priests during the consecration of the sacred chrism.

At Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday, Archbishop Rozanski consecrated the Oil of the Chrism that will be used in parishes this year

Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski celebrated the annual Chrism Mass April 2 at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. Hundreds of priests of the archdiocese attended the Mass, which included a renewal of their priestly promises.

During the Mass, Archbishop Rozanski blessed the three holy oils that will be used in archdiocesan parishes throughout the year: the oil of the sick, the oil of catechumens, and the sacred chrism.

After the oils are blessed and the chrism is consecrated, volunteers divide them into small bottles to distribute to priests for their parishes and other ministries, such as hospitals or nursing homes.

Father Anthony Yates (front) and other priests processed to the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis for the Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday, April 2, 2026, in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jacob Wiegand | St. Louis Review | jacobwiegand@archstl.org)
Priests processed into the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis for the Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday, April 2, in St. Louis. The Chrism Mass includes a renewal of priestly promises.
Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski mixed balsam and olive oil for making sacred chrism.
Choir members sang during the opening procession of the Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday, April 2, 2026, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis in St. Louis, Missouri.
Clockwise around table, from left, Dave Baranowski, Kim Specht, Margaret Hogan and her father Edward Hogan bottled oil of the sick at Boland Hall next to the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis.
Deacon Phillip Uro picked up sacred oils from Gus Miller, 14, after the Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Boland Hall next to the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis in St. Louis, Missouri.
Deacons Dale Follen and Charlie Bacher (left pair) carried a vessel of sacred chrism and Deacons Mike Thompson and Charles Hinkle carried a vessel of oil of the catechumens during the Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday, April 2, 2026, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis in St. Louis, Missouri.