HOLY THURSDAY: CHRISM MASS AND MASS OF THE LORD'S SUPPER

VATICAN CITY, APR 20, 2000 (VIS) - In the Vatican Basilica at 9:30 a.m. today, Holy Thursday, John Paul II presided at the celebration of the Chrism Mass during which priestly vows were renewed, and the oils used in anointing the sick and the catechumens were blessed.

In his homily, the Pope said that "the 'chrismal' Mass solemnly evokes the memory of the single priesthood of Christ and expresses the priestly vocation of the Church, especially of the bishop and of the priests united with him."

Addressing priests, the Holy Father said, "through priestly ordination, we have been called to share Christ's own mission and today we renew together our common priestly commitment. With great emotion, we recall the gift received from Christ, who has called us to special participation in His priesthood."

"Today, in a special way," he concluded, "we encounter Christ, Supreme and Eternal Priest, and we spiritually cross this Holy Door which opens the fullness of saving love to all men. Just as Christ was submissive to the action of the Spirit in His condition as man and obedient servant, so the baptized, and especially ordained ministers, must feel committed to carrying out their own priestly consecration in humble and faithful service to God and our fellows."

Later, at 5:30 p.m. in St. Peter's Basilica, John Paul II presided at the celebration of the Mass of the Lord's Supper. During the liturgy, he washed the feet of 12 priests and, during the offertory, accepted a donation that will be sent to flood victims in Mozambique.

The Pope recalled the words of consecration, saying that "each year, on this day, we remember (those words) as we return spiritually to the Upper Room. This evening I re-evoke them with particular emotion, because fresh in my mind and heart is the image of the Upper Room, where I had the joy of celebrating the Eucharist during my recent Jubilee pilgrimage to the Holy Land. The emotion is still stronger, because this year is the year of the Jubilee of the two thousandth anniversary of the Incarnation. Seen in this light, our celebration this evening takes on an especially profound meaning."

The Holy Father affirmed that, "in instituting the Eucharist, Jesus gives the Apostles a share as ministers in His priesthood of the new and eternal Covenant. He and He alone is always and everywhere the source and the minister of the Eucharist."

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