From top, Bishop Larry Silva breaths over a container of olive oil symbolizing consecration by the the Holy Spirit while blessing the sacred chrism, one of three holy oils blessed at the Oahu Chrism Mass March 22 at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa. The bishop pours balsam, an aromatic resin, into the chrism. The other oils blessed at the evening liturgy were oil of catechumens, used for baptism, and oil of the sick, used for the sacrament of the anointing of the sick. Holy chrism is used in the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Orders and for the blessing of altars. The bishop also celebrated Chrism Masses March 8 at St. Michael Church, Kailua-Kona on the Big Island, March 13 at St. Catherine Church, Kapaa, Kauai, and March 15 at St. Anthony Church, Wailuku, Maui. At the Masses, the holy oils were distributed to parishes for use throughout the year.
HCH photos