BALTIMORE – On Monday, April 14, at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, William Cardinal Keeler will celebrate the annual Chrism Mass. The Chrism Mass is held during Holy Week, bringing the Archdiocesan community together as the Cardinal welcomes and blesses hundreds of adults seeking Baptism and reception into the Church.
This year’s Mass is noteworthy because the Archdiocese of Baltimore has seen a marked increase in the number of adults seeking to join the Church:
The number of adult Catechumens – those who are being baptized – increased 34 percent, from 206 in 2002 to 276 in 2003.
The number of adult Candidates – who are starting their journey toward baptism – also increased significantly, rising by 27 percent over last year, from 479 to 610.
Time & Place: Monday, April 14, 7:30 pm
Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, 5200 North Charles Street
Understanding our Faith:
DEFINITION: ‘CHRISM MASS’ – An annual Mass, before Easter, concelebrated in the cathedral by the bishop and priests of a diocese in communion with their people. It is meant to publicly express the unity of the diocese, the unity of the priests and their bishop, and to celebrate clergy vocations and other ministries. The blessing of oils and consecrating of Chrism (an ointment consisting of a mixture of oil and balsam) for the entire diocese takes place at this Mass.