Congratulations to Archbishop Malcolm McMahon, OP, today being the 16th anniversary of his episcopal consecration--happily falling on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.

This morning Archbishop McMahon consecrated a paten and chalice of newly ordained priest, Fr James Mawdsley. The chalice was an ordination present from a family in the archdiocese, but it could not be used in Holy Mass until it had been anointed by the bishop with sacred chrism--the oil he blesses each Holy Thursday. Thanks to this ceremony every Holy Mass involves a further level of unity between a bishop and his priests, for the precious vessels the priests use have been prayerfully commissioned for their purpose by their bishop. 

Bread and lemons (as seen in the picture) are traditionally used to help with the ablutions, for wiping the oil off the fingers after the anointing. As these items become infused with the sacred oil, they may not be disposed of casually, but are taken carefully to be buried or, in this case, burnt.

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At 7:30pm tonight St Mary's will have a Solemn High Mass for the Immaculate Conception. All are welcome. Fr Mawdsley will be able to use the chalice and paten for the first time. Fr Simon Henry of St Catherine's in Leyland will be deacon and preaching. Fr de Malleray will minister as sub-deacon. The choir will be excellent as always. It will be a Mass for us to give special thanks for Archbishop McMahon's 16 years as bishop.
 

The beautiful prayers, blessings and formulas of consecration in the Pontificale Romanum along with the rubrics are all in Latin, but for interest below is an English translation of the short and simple ceremony.

Photo: "Betty, where art thou?"