Chrism Mass

Every year, right before Holy Week all the priests and bishops of Cambodia come together for the Chrism Mass, the special liturgy at which the priests renew their promises of obedience to the bishop and at which the holy oils are blessed that will be used throughout the coming year.

Cambodia has three active bishops from the vicariates of Phnom Penh, Kampong Cham, and Battambang, and two retired bishops. All five of them were present for this celebration today. Bishop Anthony from Kampong Cham blessed one of the three vessels of oil to be used for anointing the sick. All the priests joined with all the bishops for this celebration of the institution of the priesthood and of the bond that unites the priests with each other and with the bishops. After mass all the priests gathered at St. Joseph Church hall for breakfast and then had a full morning of meetings about the workings of the three vicariates before they ate lunch together and then dispersed.

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