Chrism Mass 2013

On Monday we had our beautiful Chrism Mass at the Basilica of St. Stanislaus in Winona.  The church was almost filled with folks from across the Diocese.  Fr. Jason Kern, our most recently ordained priest, gave a reflection which was followed by a Holy Hour and opportunity for confessions.  We then gathered for dinner.

Mass began at 7 p.m.  Among the highlights was the singing of the Gospel by two deacons using a setting based on a collection that will be published by Liturgical Press soon.  Two lovely musical pieces were the O Redeemer by Luke Mayernik which was very chant-like and Sacramentum Caritatis by Michael Joncas which was the Communion processional song.

The Bishop's homily started with a story about his mother who assured her children after they had broken a treasured family heirloom, "I loved that figurine, but I love you more." He went on to connect that to God's love for us - no matter what.