The annual Chrism Mass, which in the Diocese of Allentown customarily takes place on Wednesday of Holy Week, was celebrated by Bishop Alfred Schlert on April 1 at the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown. Commemorating the Priesthood of Christ and the vocation of ordained priests who share in Christ’s mission, the 2026 Chrism Mass was a beautiful tapestry of sights, solemnity, and symbolism.
One of the most striking images was visible during the proclamation of the Gospel, when nearly 100 priests stood with their faces turned toward the ambo, listening attentively to the Word that had inspired their vocation.
“Your Priesthood is not lived in the abstraction,” Bishop Schlert told the assembled priests. “It is lived in the early mornings and the late nights, in hospital rooms and parish offices, in classrooms and confessionals, at altars both grand and simple. You carry the joys and burdens of your people. You remain when others leave. You continue when the work is heavy. And through you, Christ remains present, and we are all blessed because of that.”
The Chrism Mass is so named because it includes the consecration by the bishop of the Sacred Chrism, used in the Ordination of priests and bishops, in Baptisms and Confirmations, and in the Consecration of Altars and the Blessing of Churches.
Also during the Chrism Mass, the bishop and all the priests present bless the Oil of the Sick, used in the Anointing of the Sick, and the Oil of Catechumens, used to strengthen and purify those preparing for Baptism. The three holy oils will supply the needs of the Diocese’s 78 parishes for one year.
This year, a portion of the sacred oil was donated from a family’s olive farm in Southern Italy. Read more about the donation here.
In his homily, Bishop Schlert recognized the Priest Jubilarians of the Diocese, those priests celebrating milestone anniversaries of Ordination. They are:
10th anniversary – Father Thomas Osei Gyau; Father Stephan Isaac.
25th anniversary – Father Ronald Minner; Father Bruno Dongo, A.J.; Father Francis Iroot, A.J.
50th anniversary – Father Thomas Buckley; Father Stephen Maco; Father James Thomas; Father Andrew Torma, M.S.C.
55th anniversary – Monsignor Aloysius Callaghan; Father Francis Grundowski; Monsignor James Reichert.
60th anniversary – Monsignor John Campbell; Father Edward Connolly; Monsignor Walter Scheaffer; Father Leo Stajkowski; Father Joseph Tobias, M.S.C.
65th anniversary – Monsignor Robert Kozel.
Remembered in prayer during the Mass were the priests and deacons who have died in the past year: Father Joseph Whalen; Father Dominik Kalata; Monsignor Nevin Klinger; Father Ladislaus Dudek; Monsignor Joseph Sobiesiak; Father Paul DaDamio; Deacon John Konopelski; Deacon Richard Thoden, Jr.; Deacon John Murphy, Jr.; Deacon Frank Colon; Deacon Thomas Reimer; Deacon Henry Fleck.
Bishop Schlert also acknowledged the three deceased past Bishops of Allentown, “to whom we owe a great deal.”
To recall those men, Bishop Schlert celebrated the Chrism Mass while wearing the vestments of the First Bishop of Allentown, Bishop Joseph McShea; as well as the ring of Bishop Thomas Welsh, Second Bishop of Allentown; and a copy of the pectoral cross worn by Bishop Edward Cullen, Third Bishop of Allentown.
Bishop Schlert also offered the interesting “little tidbit” that, when the Diocese of Allentown was formed in January 1961, “my mom was two months pregnant with the future Fifth Bishop of Allentown.”
After the homily, all priests present stood for a “Renewal of Commitment to Priestly Service,” in which they reaffirmed the promises they made at their Ordination.
Six young men were then presented to Bishop Schlert as petitioners for the Order of Priest: Rev. Mr. Dominic Civitella; Rev. Mr. Tyler Davis; Rev. Mr. Tyler Loch; Rev. Mr. Anh Do Mai; Rev. Mr. Hy “James” Gia Ngo; and Rev. Mr. Jeffrey Tomczyk. Their Ordination is scheduled for Saturday, June 6.
The Diocese of Allentown is celebrating its 65th Jubilee Anniversary Year and Year of Grace dedicated to the Holy Eucharist, the Blessed Mother, increased prayer for vocations, and the bringing back of those who have left the Church.
Emphasizing the need for vocations, the Bishop said, “We must remain attentive to the future of our Diocese, to the future of our Church. This is not simply a matter of numbers. It’s a matter of souls. The Gospel must be preached, the Eucharist must be celebrated, the mercy of God must be made available in the Sacrament of Confession. And none of this can be done without a Priesthood.”
A video recording of the Chrism Mass can be viewed on the Diocese of Allentown YouTube channel.
Photos by Ed Koskey.
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