The Apostolic Vicariate of Donkorkrom in the Kwahu Afram Plains, Ghana’s Eastern Region, has celebrated the annual Mass of the Chrism, which is a special feast for all the Priests as the Priesthood was instituted on this day.
By extension, it is feast day of all the faithful, since they all share in the general priesthood of all the baptized.
The April 16, 2025 solemn Mass which was officiated by the Most Rev. John Alphonse Asiedu, SVD, Bishop of Donkorkrom Apostolic Vicariate and concelebrated by the Vicariate Priests, featured the blessing of oils of the Sick and Catechumens and the Consecration of the oil of Chrism.
It also featured the renewal of Priestly commitment by the Priests working in the Vicariate.
In a homily during the Mass, the Bishop underscored the importance of Chrism Mass, as one of the chief expressions of the fullness of the bishop’s priesthood.
He said it is seen as a symbol of the close bond between the Bishop and his Priests.
He added that the Bishop is considered the High Priest of his flock, and as such “the life in Christ of his faithful is in some way derived from and dependent upon him.”
According to Bishop Asiedu, the Priests concelebrating at the Mass appropriately express the unity of the priesthood, of the sacrifice, and also of the whole people of God.
The Prelate went further to explain the significance of the various oils that are blessed during Chrism Mass.
The Chrism which the Bishop consecrates, he explicated, is used to anoint the newly baptized and to trace the sign of Christ on those to be confirmed.
It is also used in anointing newly ordained Priests, consecration of Bishops, and the blessing and dedication of other sacred objects for divine worship.
The oil of catechumen, he continued, is used to prepare and dispose them for baptism.
It extends the effects of the baptismal exorcisms; it strengthens the candidates with the power to renounce the devil and sin before they go to the font of life for rebirth.
He further elucidated that the oil of the sick is to strengthen them amid their infirmities.
It provides the sick with a remedy for both spiritual and bodily illness, so that they may have strength to bear up under evil and obtain pardon for their sins.
According to the Bishop, the Catholic Church adopts the Old Testament usage of anointing Kings, Priests and Prophets with consecratory oil because they prefigured Christ, whose name means “the anointed of the Lord.”
“Today’s celebration, therefore, unites all of us: Bishop, Priests, Consecrated Men and Women, and the lay faithful, with Christ, our head and Chief Shepherd in a very unique way,” he underlined.
The Chief Shepherd expressed gratitude to the faithful for the solidarity shown to him and his Priests.
He said “as the Bishop, I am particularly delighted to see you, Consecrated Men and Women and our lay faithful in your numbers, join us your Priests, in this celebration when we mark and recall the institution of the holy priesthood.”
“You have come to pray for and with us, as we renew our commitment to our vocation and priestly duties, and to lend us your support and encouragement,” he stated.
“Please love us, and even when we fall and fail you, do not give up on us, nor make it too hard or impossible for us to get up and return to the Lord to strengthen us and continue our sacred duties. Help us, if you can,” he implored.
And to his brother Priests, and other Pastoral agents manning various Parishes, offices, institutions, within the Apostolic Vicariate, the Local Ordinary expressed sincere gratitude for their selfless services, sacrifices and collaboration with him in the mission of evangelisation in the vicariate.
“I know our numbers do not match with the duties and responsibilities that the Lord has entrusted to us; yet many of you are making the needed sacrifices to respond to additional responsibilities,” he appreciated.
He prayed that they may continue to find joy and fulfilment in their ministries.
He further urged the Priests not to take for granted the presence of all who had come out in their numbers to pray for them and appreciate their gift to the Church, but to appreciate this honour by taking seriously the promises they had renewed.
He stressed that “the Lord God is a jealous God, and the promises made to him must be observed faithfully”.
He added that the Lord God is displeased with those who give something today only to take it back tomorrow.
“My brother Priests, here we are, surrounded by our beloved lay faithful, from among whom we are called and chosen, and for whom we are ordained as ministers of God’s Word and sacraments. They are here to worship and to pray, but also to solidarize with us. They are witnessing to the renewal of our priestly promises,” he resounded.
The Bishop used the platform of the Chrism Mass to announce the transfers of two Priests of the Vicariate: Rev. Fr. Philip Desmond Gyapong, Parish Priest of St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Amankwakrom, moving to St. Cecilia Parish Forifori and Rev. Fr. John Felix Formedza Awaitey Jnr, Parish Priest of St. Cecilia Parish, Forifori, being transferred to St. Anthony Parish, Amankwakrom.
These transfers were to take effect from April 30, 2025.
He was also pleased to announce the arrival of a new Religious Sister to the Vicariate, Sr. Ann-Josepha Amelewoo, of the Congregation of the Sisters of Mary Mother of the Church (SMMC).
Present at the Chrism Mass were Rev. Fr. Augustine Kodo, SVD, Prefect of SVD Theology Students at SVD Common Formation Centre, Tamale, who was on a visit to the Vicariate.
Also present were Religious from the various Congregations within the Vicariate, representatives from other Parishes and the St. Francis Xavier Church community, among others.
By Sr. Sylvie Lum Cho, MSHR (DEPSOCOM, Donkorkrom Apostolic Vicariate)
