Dili, April 11, 2025 (Média Democracia) – The Archdiocese of Dili, through the Metropolitan Archbishop Dom Virgílio Cardinal do Carmo da Silva, celebrated the Chrism Mass together with the clergy, renewing priestly vows and blessing the Holy Oils.
Dom Virgílio Cardinal do Carmo da Silva explained that the Chrism Mass is held on the Thursday before Holy Week because many priests are assigned to remote areas.
“The pastoral reason is that many of our priests are in distant parishes. If we were to celebrate the Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday morning itself, many of them would not be able to return in time to their parishes for the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper. That’s why, for many years now, the Diocese of Dili has established this tradition of celebrating the Chrism Mass on the Thursday before Holy Thursday,” the Archbishop said to journalists at the Dili Cathedral.
This Thursday has thus become a tradition for the Dili Diocese, where the Bishop and the priests come together to consecrate the Chrism Oil, as well as to bless the Oil of the Sick and the Oil of Catechumens.
“During this Mass, there is also a special moment where the priests renew the promises they made on the day of their ordination. Each year, on this day, they gather with their Bishop to reaffirm their commitment to remain faithful to their vocation as priests,” Cardinal Dom Virgílio explained.
Therefore, this day brought together not only the clergy but also religious brothers and sisters, catechists, lay ministers, seminarians, and a large number of faithful who participated in this sacred celebration.
The Metropolitan Archbishop also invited all Catholics to spiritually prepare for Palm Sunday, which marks the beginning of Holy Week.
“Holy Week is the most important and sacred week for all Christians. It is a time when we walk with Jesus through His suffering, death, and resurrection. This is the greatest celebration of our faith,” Dom Virgílio said at the Dili Cathedral on Thursday (April 10, 2025).
He emphasized that during Lent, Catholics spend 40 days practicing penance, prayer, fasting, and charity, which are the paths to guide everyone back to God.
“Each faithful is called to return during these 40 days to reflect, pray, and discipline themselves through good behavior, so that all may celebrate the great mystery of Jesus Christ’s Passion and Resurrection,” the Bishop stated.
He added that even though each person has their own journey, struggles, and joys in life, the Resurrection of Jesus brings new hope and life to all of creation.
“Easter is a time of grace and an invitation to all young, old, men, women to renew themselves. Those who have not yet gone to confession are encouraged to approach their priests and prepare their hearts for this sacred celebration. Easter should be a moment of true renewal for each one of us,” he said.
Celebrating Easter, then, becomes a moment of joy and rebirth for all a new heart, a new life, new habits, new attitudes, and renewed thoughts that will lead to better service in the family, the Church, institutions, and the nation.
Report : Estefania
Photo : Estefania