My Mom, my sister, and I settled in at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland, Maine, for the annual Chrism Mass. Even half an hour before the start of the mass the church was filling up with people from all over the diocese. Representatives from every parish in the state were there for the annual blessing of the holy oils used in the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, holy orders, and anointing of the sick. We were lucky to find a pew at all as we claimed our space right by the east side door, just off the parking lot.
The Bishop began his homily, centered on one of the Pope’s many letters to the faithful. He reminded us of Christ’s love in dying for us while we were still sinners and of our own…
