Chrism Mass unites the Diocese of Erie in faith, hope and shared mission
By Allison Mosier03/31/2026
On Monday, March 30, the Church gathered at Saint Peter Cathedral for the Chrism Mass — a liturgy that reveals, in a powerful and visible way, the unity, mission and hope of the diocesan Church.
Priests and deacons from across the diocese’s 13 counties filled the cathedral alongside religious, seminarians and lay faithful — many traveling from across the nearly 10,000 square miles of the Diocese of Erie. Together, they witnessed the blessing of the sacred oils and the renewal of priestly promises, moments that anchor the sacramental life of the Church for the year ahead.
At the center of the liturgy, Bishop Lawrence T. Persico reflected on the meaning of Christian hope — not as optimism, but as something deeper, rooted in Christ.
“Hope for the Christian is not simply optimism… authentic hope is born solely of the resurrection of Jesus,” he said.
Oils that carry grace across 13 counties
During the Chrism Mass, three sacred oils are blessed and consecrated: the Oil of the Sick, the Oil of Catechumens and the Sacred Chrism. These oils will be used in baptisms, confirmations, ordinations and the anointing of the sick in every parish across the diocese. 
“These oils… become vessels of God’s grace and pathways to the very hope that we seek,” Bishop Persico said.
From the cathedral, these oils are carried back to parishes, reaching communities large and small — a tangible sign of the Church’s unity and care for her people.
Behind the scenes: quiet hands preparing sacred work
While the liturgy itself is a visible expression of faith, the preparation begins well in advance of the Chrism Mass.
In the days leading up to the celebration, Maripat Grant of the Diocese of Erie’s Office for Divine Worship carefully coordinates and organizes every detail from her office, ensuring the sacred oils are prepared for distribution to parishes across the diocese.
On the day of the Mass, students from Gannon University Campus Ministry, along with dedicated volunteers — including Robbie Brown of Cathedral Preparatory School — assist in the final preparation, bottling and organizing of the oils.
“This doesn’t happen in a day,” Grant said. “There is a great deal of planning and preparation that takes place ahead of time. It’s a privilege to serve the Church in this way — knowing that what is prepared here will be part of the sacramental life of every parish.”
The Office for Divine Worship, which coordinates the Chrism Mass and the preparation of the oils, continues a longstanding liturgical tradition — one that connects every parish back to the bishop and the cathedral.
A moment that reflects the whole Church
The cathedral was filled not only with clergy, but with parishioners from across the diocese and employees of the St. Mark Catholic Center — many of whom support the Church’s ministries on a daily basis.
For those present, the liturgy served as a powerful reminder of the shared mission that connects their work.
Gathered in one place, they witnessed the blessing of the oils, the renewal of promises and the visible unity of the Church — a moment that reflects both the spiritual life of the diocese and the work carried out every day in parishes, schools and ministries.
Renewed in service, strengthened in fraternity
During the Mass, priests renewed the promises made at their ordination — recommitting themselves to serve the People of God with faithfulness and dedication. 
“My brother priests, we are charged… to be God’s instruments in bringing that grace and life to a suffering world,” Bishop Persico said.
The Chrism Mass also provides a rare opportunity for clergy to gather — not only in prayer, but in fraternity. Following the liturgy, priests and deacons shared time together at a dinner hosted by Bishop Persico, strengthening the bonds that support their ministry across the diocese.
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The distribution of the sacred oils across such a large and diverse diocese is made possible, in part, through the support of the Catholic Services Appeal.
Through the generosity of those who contribute, the diocese is able to sustain the ministries and infrastructure that ensure every parish and community has access to the sacraments — from the cathedral in Erie to the most rural corners of the region.
Sent forth in hope
As the liturgy concluded, the newly blessed oils were prepared to be carried out into the diocese — signs of Christ’s healing, strength and presence.
In his homily, Bishop Persico reminded the faithful that hope is not something distant, but something lived each day.
“We must remember that… laying the groundwork for our union with God… begins in this world… by moving beyond ourselves and sowing seeds of hope,” he said.
From the cathedral to every parish, those seeds are now sown — in sacraments celebrated, lives touched and a Church united in faith across all 13 counties.
View photos from the Chrism Mass here.
View photos from behind the scenes here.
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