Note: some passages of Archbishop Hicks’ homily were given in Spanish.

¿Cuál es su liturgia favorita de la Semana Santa?

What is your favorite liturgy of Holy Week?

That was the question I asked about 12 priests including Bishop Whalen just a few days ago on Saturday. I had gone to Good Shepherd Church in Inwood, where we experienced a beautiful live Stations of the Cross, followed by Mass. The church was full and the faith was strong. After Mass, I had the chance to sit down for lunch with about twelve priests, and I asked them a simple question:
“What is your favorite liturgy of Holy Week?”

¿Les pregunté de los sacerdotes en la mesa, “Cuál es su liturgia favorita de la Semana Santa? Y cada uno tenía su propia respuesta.

Each and every one around the table had a different answer and a reason.

Some said Palm Sunday because of the pageantry, the palms, and the big crowds.

Others said Holy Thursday, because of the washing of the feet and the institution of the Eucharist.
Some said Good Friday, especially that moment when we cry out, “Crucify him,” and confront the cost of our salvation.

Others said the Easter Vigil, especially this year when so many enter the Church.

And some said Easter Sunday itself, because the Resurrection is the great game‑changer that changes everything.

Then it was my turn.

I told them: I love all of those Masses…truly I do. But my favorite liturgy of Holy Week is the Chrism Mass.

This Mass that we are celebrating right now.

La Misa Crismal, la misa que estamos celebrando hoy, es mi liturgia favorita de la Semana Santa.
Porque es la misa en la que:

• Todos estamos aquí. Toda la Arquidiócesis de Nueva York está reunida hoy.
• Celebramos el sacerdocio.
• Bendecimos los santos óleos que se usarán en los bautismos, confirmaciones, ordenaciones y en el Sacramento de la Unción de los Enfermos.

So, here are the three reasons why the Chrism Mass is my favorite.

First, I love that today the entire People of God are gathered. Lay faithful, religious, clergy. We represent the entire Archdiocese of New York. Most of the time, we are in our own parishes, doing our own good and holy work. But today, we come together. United as brothers and sisters. United as a local Church. United in saying: we know Jesus, we love Jesus, we serve Jesus, and we follow him together.

Second, this is a celebration of the priesthood. The priests standing behind me will renew the promises they made on the day of their ordination. And I want to say this clearly: thank you. Thank you for your priesthood. Thank you for the countless ways you serve God and his people. I have already enjoyed getting to know you, and I look forward to continuing to walk and work with you. And I ask all of you here today: please pray for your priests, and continue also to pray for and promote vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

And third, the blessing of the holy oils and the consecration of the Sacred Chrism. Those are powerful moments. But it does not end there. Representatives from every parish will take these oils back with them. And throughout the year, they will be used for baptisms, confirmations, ordinations, and the anointing of the sick. These are moments when Christ is truly present and at work among his people.

And as those oils are carried back to our parishes, we are reminded of something essential: we are sent! We are a missionary Church! And as Jesus tells us today, part of our mission is to bring glad tidings to the poor, liberty to captives, sight to the blind, freedom to the oppressed, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.

Somos una Iglesia misionera.
Estamos llamados a vivir la misión de Cristo.
Estamos llamados a anunciar buenas noticias a los pobres,
a proclamar libertad a los cautivos,
a dar vista a los ciegos,
a poner en libertad a los oprimidos,
y a proclamar el año favorable del Señor.

My brothers and sisters, we live in a world that needs God more than ever.

A world marked by war and violence, poverty and fear, assaults on religious freedom and on human life and human dignity. And we also carry our own struggles…Our own grief, anxiety, division and even weariness.

This is not a world that needs us simply inspired.
This is a world that needs us anointed.

Anointed by Christ.
Strengthened by his Spirit.
Sent with his mission.

That is why this Mass matters. And that’s why it is one of my favorites.

Today, the Church does not gather simply to admire holy oils. These oils do not remain here. They go out: to parishes, hospital rooms, homes, and hearts. And so do we!

The Chrism Mass is not something we simply attend.
It is something we become.

So I ask you again: what is your favorite liturgy of Holy Week? ¿Cuál es su liturgia favorita de la Semana Santa?

You may have many answers. But today, let us gather, together, not simply to be inspired, but let us gather to be anointed:  United in Christ, and ready to live his mission in the world.