CHRISM MASS YEAR A AT SAINT MARTIN'S DE PORRES CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL, KATSINA DIOCESE
3/31/2026
The Holy Mass began at exactly 10:00am with the entrance procession led by His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Mamman Musa, alongside all the priests in the Diocese, altar knights, lectors, catechists, Knights of Saint John International, and Papal Knights to the altar of God. The liturgists of the Chrism Mass were Rev. Fr. Kelvin Bello, Rev. Fr. John Ocheku, and Rev. Fr. Victor Chibuzor.
The Bishop welcomed everyone present to the Chrism Mass of the year 2026. He explained that the Chrism Mass is celebrated during the Lenten season, usually on Thursday, but for pastoral reasons it was celebrated on this day. He emphasized that the celebration is special because priests renew their priestly vows and the sacred oils (Oil of Chrism, Oil of Catechumens, and Oil of the Sick) are blessed. He prayed that God would answer all our petitions.
LITURGY OF THE WORD
The First Reading was taken from the Book of Isaiah 61:1–3, 6, 8–9 and was read by Mr. Francis Martins of Malumfashi Deanery.
The Responsorial Psalm was taken from the Book of Psalms and was chanted by Mr. Samuel Joseph of Katsina Deanery with the response: “My mouth will tell of your salvation, Lord.”
The Second Reading was taken from the Book of Revelation 1:5–8 and was read by Miss Blessing Musa of Funtua Deanery.
The Gospel was proclaimed by Rev. Fr. Amos Bahywa, taken from the Gospel of Luke 22:14–23.
HOMILY
The homily was delivered by His Lordship Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Mamman Musa. In his homily, he spoke about vocation and the essence of our calling in life. He said that when Jesus began His public ministry, He read from the Book of Isaiah, showing clearly His mission and what God sent Him to do.
He stated that there are two most important days in our lives: the day we are born and the day we discover the reason why we were born.
He explained that vocation is a call from God. God first calls us as humans created in His image and likeness, and we are called to holiness and obedience to God. Through Baptism we are called children of God, and through Confirmation we become soldiers of God. He emphasized that the soul is what makes us human and gives meaning to our existence.
Speaking about marriage vocation, he said married couples are called to be witnesses of God’s love and promises, remaining together in good and bad times. He reminded the priests that the Chrism Mass is the day they renew the vows made on their ordination day in the presence of God’s people.
He warned about the danger of taking our vocation for granted because of familiarity. He said on the day of ordination, priests come with trembling hands and feet to make promises before God, but after some time, there is a tendency to take the vocation for granted. When we fail to internalize the words and promises we make, our integrity and vocation are at risk.
He encouraged priests not to carry out their duties just to fulfill obligations but to do things differently and remember the essence of their calling. He encouraged them to emulate St. John Vianney, the patron saint of priests, who carried out his duties with joy. He concluded by reminding everyone to continually renew themselves through retreats, daily meditation, and prayer, and not to forget the essence of being priests, married people, and above all, Christians.
RENEWAL OF PRIESTLY VOWS
All the priests stood and faced the Cathedra (the Bishop’s seat) as they renewed their priestly vows. The congregation prayed for the priests and the Bishop, responding: “Christ hear us, Christ graciously hear us.”
PRESENTATION OF THE OILS
The hymn O Redemptoris was sung by Miss Helen Grace Audu.
The Oil of the Sick was presented by Mrs. Emmanuella Adole.
The Oil of Catechumens was presented by Sergeant Catechist Umoh Thomas.
The Oil of Sacred Chrism was presented by Rev. Fr. Nura Emmanuel Samaila.
PRESENTATION OF THE OBLATA (BREAD AND WINE)
The presentation of the Oblata was carried out by Engr. Sir Stephen Aluko and Mr. Malachy Ugwu. The offertory collection was done by all present.
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
The Bishop invited everyone to partake in the Holy Eucharist so that the sacrifice would be acceptable to God the Almighty Father.
The Oil of the Sick was blessed by the Bishop, and he prayed for total healing for all the sick. Holy Communion was received by communicants in a state of grace, and private prayers were offered in silence.
The Oil of Catechumens and the Sacred Chrism were then blessed. For the Oil of Catechumens, the Bishop prayed for wisdom and strength for those preparing for Baptism. For the Sacred Chrism, he prayed for inward transformation for all who would be anointed with it.
The Diocesan Communications Team was inaugurated by His Lordship Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Mamman Musa.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Luka Magaji, gave the announcements and announced the chaplains of various groups:
CWO and Zumunta Mata Chaplain – Rev. Fr. Obineche, assisted by Rev. Fr. Reuben Ahmodu
CMO and Zumunchi Maza Chaplain – Rev. Fr. Festus Agibo and Rev. Fr. Kelvin Bello
Sabon Rai and HCA Chaplain – Rev. Fr. Musa Abubakar
Altar Knights Chaplain – Rev. Fr. John Izuala
Diocesan Lectors Chaplain – Rev. Fr. Kelvin Bello
Knights of Saint John International and Papal Knights Chaplain – Rev. Fr. Luka Yohanna Magaji
Rev. Fr. Luka Yohanna Magaji also gave the report of the Cathedraticum carried out in all the Deaneries and thanked the Deans, the Bishop, church societies, and students for their support.
Zumunta Mata representatives who attended a provincial meeting presented trophies after taking first position in quiz and second position in music, and a group photograph was taken.
The Vocations Director, Rev. Fr. Nura Emmanuel Samaila, thanked everyone for supporting the seminarians during their apostolic work and appealed to the faithful to continue supporting the training of seminarians in the Diocese.
BISHOP’S CLOSING REMARKS AND FINAL BLESSING
The Bishop thanked everyone for attending and prayed for safe journey mercies back to their various destinations. He then gave the final blessing.
Group photographs were taken before the recessional procession.
The Holy Mass ended at exactly 12:30pm.
Please say a word of prayer for your priest today.
