Last night, our diocese for the first time celebrated the Chrism Mass on a day other than Holy Thursday. (Evidently, this is not uncommon in other parts of the country.) It was a rich and rewarding liturgy, as always, but it had a different feeling in the evening. (Among other things, by the time it wrapped up, around 9:45, Your Humble Blogger was drooping.) The turnout was impressive — SRO — and because of the evening hour, there were a larger-than-usual number of deacons (and wives.)

Bishop DiMarzio saluted the jubilarians who were there, and in his homily — “a pep talk” to the priests, he called it — spoke of the vow of obedience and how, perhaps, the vow should actually be one of “accountability.” The homily received a warm round of applause.

A good time was had by all. I ended the evening with two priests at an Irish pub, comparing notes over a pint of Guinness.

‘Twas an evening of grace. And Guinness. Who could ask for anything more?