Chrism Mass 2026

A beautiful Chrism Mass was held at Newport Cathedral on the Tuesday (31st March)

Held every year during Holy Week, the service couples the blessing of sacred oils with the opportunity for clergy and licensed lay ministers to reaffirm their commitment to God’s call on their lives.

Priests, deacons, licensed lay and congregation members filled the cathedral to celebrate the blessing of the oil of the sick, the oil of the catechumens and the holy chrism oil.

During her sermon Bishop Cherry considered the word 'renew' or 'renewal' as a way of enriching our understanding of what the service meant.

She explained that there are variety of meanings of the the word and she discussed several of these more closely. Renew or renewal can be recreating or reconnecting; it can also mean to reaffirm; to be renewed is also to be refreshed, replenished and restocked. Finally, renew can also mean restore; that is , repair, mend, overhaul.

As we renewed our commitment to ministry, Bishop Cherry encouraged us to "reconnect with our first love, our vocation whatever that may be. May we reaffirm our ‘yes’ to all that God asks of us and invites us into. May we be refreshed and replenished as we listen for the voice of God and feel his spirit bubbling up within us. May our hearts and minds be restored, transformed, that we may go out with joy in the company of one another to bless and to be blessed through the ministries that God has entrusted to us."