Joyful Fidelity
Chrism Mass
St. Coleman's Cathedral, Cobh
1 April 2026
My friends,
It is customary at the Chrism Mass to identify those who are celebrating a significant Jubilee Anniversary of their Ordination to the Priesthood.
Canon Donal Roberts
Canon Donal O’Mahony
V. Rev Anthony Wckham
And I too am marking the 50th Year since Ordination in 1976.
This liturgy is one in which we and all the priests gathered offer in thanksgiving to God for the blessing of these years of service in the Vineyard. Over the years while experiencing great joy from our ministry we are deeply conscious too of our frailty and failures which taught us humility and the need for the Lord’s mercy and forgiveness.
Gathering for the Chrism Mass conscious that we are joined by the people from across the Diocese, we are truly thankful too for your support and accompaniment in your parishes
My friends,
In the film “Of Gods and Men” released in 2010, the true story of a community of French Trappist Monks living in Algeria is told. There they lived in harmony with the largely Muslim population in the Atlas Mountains. The monastery was established in 1947.
In the mid 1990’s political violence erupted in Algeria. The monks were caught in the crossfire – they agonized as to whether they would leave or stay. The film captures a moment of that dialogue between a Muslim woman and one of the monks. She simply said “We are the birds; you are the branch. If you go, where will we land?”
We know the community of nine was kidnapped as a ransom and lost their lives – their witness lives on.
My friends, renewal of commitment to the service of the people of God is a basic sincere yes to staying with the people we have been called to be present to. No more than in any life commitment the vicissitude of the future is not known to us - The rose garden even with thorns amidst the beauty. Priesthood and religious life are currently not the flavour of the month for a combination of reasons, one of which, is the reluctance of a succession of generations to a lifelong commitment. Twin that reluctance with our expectation of what a good and fulfilling life might entail. Lionel Richie’s “This is my life” sums up sharply the spirit of the age. Which is all and well but for the evidence in our midst of so much anxiety and fear in the hearts of young people – the very ones from who we expect and hope for confidence and ambition. To say these things is not to criticise but rather to acknowledge the cultural patterns that now shape our families and society itself.
It is clear that many social currents are pulling people in different directions and a sea of rip tides, it’s easy to fall victim. That is unless you have a still point, a point of reference which keeps our view of things real and in proportion. That’s what having a balanced spirituality can do for us. That remains the essential task for priests, religious and teachers in our time. In this context our call to be shepherds, to be a spiritual guide, a coach in the life of the Spirit, has become more urgent. We are called to be open to those who are searching, to be encouraging to those who are seeking to connect again with their spiritual roots, to be welcoming to those who have begun to sense a need for depth and authenticity in their lives.
Often, we are prone to say I wasn’t prepared for this, or I don’t have the skills for this task of mission and outreach. Remember in times like ours many feel inadequate to the task but do not wish to walk away or turn their back on the faithful. Though gifted differently as individuals, what we share is passion and commitment to the ministry as priests. It is that solidarity in mission that enables us to renew of promises in a spirit of joyful fidelity. Yes, a joyful fidelity not a grudging or half-hearted fidelity.
Our high standards are set; we are easy targets for criticism. But our frailty and inadequacy are part of our witness also. Our people often know us better than ourselves. They see clearly beyond our shortcomings to our sense of vocation to service in the name of the Gospel.
Therefore, as we renew our promises, we are invited to trust in the gifts given to us and in the authenticity of our presence to one another.
