Chai Brady
The Primate of All-Ireland Archbishop Eamon Martin has said the promises priests make at ordination are “more important than ever” during the coronavirus crisis, “especially the call to offer daily the Eucharistic sacrifice for our people, the world and ourselves”.
He said that “if we can search deep into the roots of our vocation to the priesthood…then we too can find the hope and the strength from God to journey on”. Archbishop Eamon delivered the homily during the Chrism Mass in St Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh on the evening of Spy Wednesday. The archbishop also celebrated the Chrism Mass in Dromore Diocese – where he is apostolic administrator – on the morning of Holy Thursday.
“The Chrism Mass reminds us each year of what is at the core of our identity as priests: to be faithful stewards of the mysteries of God in the Holy Eucharist; to daily renew in his name the sacrifice of human redemption, setting before God’s children the paschal banquet, nourishing them with the word and strengthening them with the sacraments,” Archbishop Eamon said.
“During a time of crisis like this, those commitments we made at ordination are more important than ever – especially the call to offer daily the Eucharistic sacrifice for our people, the world and ourselves.”
“The sacrifice of the Mass is no less effective despite congregations not being present in churches,” he continued, saying: “The Church reminds us that even if the faithful are unable to be physically present, the Eucharist remains the most essential and privileged moment in our day – the summit and source of all the Church’s activity.”
The Primate said the “unprecedented way” the Church is celebrating Chrism Mass and the Easter Triduum this year brings home how Covid-19 has turned people’s lives “upside-down”.
“Covid-19 has driven our congregations indoors, forced us to stay apart, prevented us from having the public celebration of Mass and hindered us from offering the healing sacraments of reconciliation and anointing in the normal manner.”
He listed the variety of important sacramental events in the life of the Church that have been postponed, including baptism, marriages, confirmation and First Holy Communion.
“It has heightened anxieties and fears amongst our parishioners and threatened their jobs and livelihoods. It has struck at the very heart of our ministry as priests, curtailing our normal outreach to the sick, the elderly and the dying. And perhaps saddest of all, it has cruelly restricted our capacity to draw close to families who are bereaved,” he said.
The pandemic has also brought out the best in people, he continued, “it is humbling for us to witness the generosity and care of so many members of our congregations who are working in hospitals, nursing homes and in other frontline services”.
“We are amazed at the loving response of our young people, sporting organisations, community groups and charities who are reaching out to the elderly, the lonely and the vulnerable – preparing cooked meals and fetching groceries, stocking foodbanks and offering messages of encouragement and hope.
“Although it is heart-breaking that our congregations cannot gather to worship – and especially during this most sacred of weeks – it is heartening to hear people say they are finding more quality time for family, and more space for stillness, reflection and prayer at home.”
Parishes have taken to online resources like “never before”, he said, with webcam providers reporting that online Mass is receiving millions of views.
“Something else is happening. In a strange way these days of increased seclusion – what some are calling ‘imposed monasticism’ – have been making us stop and think about the way we have been living our lives, about faith and hope, about caring and loving, and perhaps living simpler lives in the future,” Archbishop Eamon said.