This week will see the much-anticipated celebration of the long overdue 2020 Diocesan Mass of Chrism on this coming Thursday 13th August at 7.30pm.

The Chrism Mass is the great annual gathering of the Diocese – lay faithful, religious, priests and Bishop, all gathered in the one Eucharist.  Everyone renews their baptismal promises and the priests renew the promises made at Ordination.  The sacred oils are blessed.  It is always a joyful, moving ceremony of the People of God united with one another around the Bishop.

The Chrism Mass was originally due to take place this year as usual and as in previous years during Holy Week, but as we know, all plans had to be cancelled when the country went into extended lockdown in late March due to the Covid-19 global pandemic.  At the time, it was hoped that as soon as lockdown was lifted the Chrism Mass could be celebrated in full with the Diocesan assembly who are such an integral part of this special Mass.  Once again, however, these plans also fell victim to Covid-19 and so a limited celebration of the Mass of Chrism has now been arranged for celebration in the Cathedral in Limerick on Thursday 13th August at 7.30 pm with strict adherence to the HSE and public health advice and guidelines limiting numbers attending.

Those who would have liked to attend the Mass of Chrism but cannot do so due to the current restrictions of numbers at the Cathedral are invited to tune in on Thursday at 7.30pm to the live stream on St John’s Cathedral website which can be viewed HERE.  You can also tune in to the live stream on Church Services TV HERE.

Update 09/08/2020