Preface for the Priesthood (Chrism Mass)

Father, all-powerful and ever-living God, we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks.  By your Holy Spirit you anointed your only Son High Priest of the new and eternal covenant.  With wisdom and love you have planned that this one priesthood should continue in the Church.  

Christ gives the dignity of a royal priesthood to the people he has made his own.  From these, with a brother's love, he chooses men to share his sacred ministry by the laying on of hands.

He appoints them to renew in his name the sacrifice of our redemption as they set before your family his paschal meal.  He calls them to lead your holy people in love, nourish them by your word, and strengthen them through the sacraments.

Father, they are to give their lives in your service and for the salvation of your people as they strive to grow in likeness of Christ and honor you by their courageous witness of faith and love.

We praise you, Lord, with all the angels and saints in their song of joy:

Holy, Holy, Holy....

Renewal of Commitment to Priestly Service

From the Ritual for the Chrism Mass:

After the homily, the bishop speaks to the priests in these or similar words:

My brothers, today we celebrate the memory of the first eucharist, at which our Lord Jesus Christ shared with his apostles and with us his call to the priestly service of his Church.  Now, in the presence of your bishop and God's holy people, are you ready to renew your own dedication to Christ as priests of his new covenant?

Priests: I am.

Bishop: At your ordination you accepted the responsibilities of the priesthood out of love for the Lord Jesus and his Church.  Are you resolved to unite yourselves more closely to Christ and to try to beccome more like him by joyfully sacrificing your own pleasure and ambition to bring his peace and love to your brothers and sisters?

Priests: I am.

Bishop: Are you resolved to be faithful ministers of the mysteries of God, to celebrate the eucharist and the other litugical services with sincere devotion?  Are you resolved to imitate Jesus Christ, the head and shpherd of the Church, by teaching the Christian faith without thinking of your own profit, solely for the well-being of the people you were sent to serve?

Priests: I am.

Then the bishop addresses the people:

My brothers and sisters, pray for your priests.  Ask the Lord to blesss them with the fullness of his love, to help them be faithful ministers of Christ the High Priest, so that they will be able to lead you to him, the fountain of your salvation.

People: Lord Jesus Christ, hear us and answer our prayer.

Bishop: Pray also for me that despite my own unworthiness I may faithfully fulfill the office of apostle which JEsus Christ has entrusted to me.  Pray that I may become more like our High Priest and Good Shepherd, the teacher and servant of all, and so be a genuine sign of Christ's loving presence among you.

People: Lord Jesus Christ, hear us and answer our prayer.

Bishop: May the Lord in his love keepyou close to him always, and may he bring all of us, his priests and people, to eternal life.

All: Amen.

The profession of faith and the general intercessions are omitted.