The annual Chrism Mass of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman was celebrated by Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao, Most Rev. Simião Purificação Fernandes, the Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, Bishop Alex Dias, Bishop Emeritus of the Port Blair Diocese, Most Rev. Agnelo Pinheiro, the newly appointed Bishop-elect of the Sindhudurg Diocese and priests from all over the Archdiocese, at Se Cathedral Church, Old Goa at 10am on 26th March, 2026. The Chrism Mass is a pivotal annual event where the Bishop expresses his bond with the priests (presbyterium) and the lay faithful.
During this mass the Bishop also blessed the Oil of the Catechumens (Oleum Catechumenorum) and the Oil of the Sick (Oleum Infirmorum), and consecrated the Holy Chrism Oil (Sacrum Chrisma). These oils will be used for sacraments throughout the Archdiocese for the coming year.
In the course of the celebration the Bishop reminds the priests to be faithful to their priesthood, and invites them to renew their priestly promises publicly. The Bishop also appeals to the people to pray not only for their priests but also for himself in the faithful discharge of the apostolic office entrusted to him, as a Good Shepherd, a Teacher and a Servant of all. This unique celebration unites the Bishop, all the Priests working in the Archdiocese and the faithful they cater to.
Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao, in his homily highlighted the need to be instruments of Peace in this disturbed world. He pointed out that God wished that peace should reign in this world. However, with our sinful life we spread disharmony and darkness in this world, he added. He reminded that Jesus, the prince of peace, came to bring Peace in this world. He urged the Priests to specially be instruments of Peace, stating that true peace comes from the Love that God shares with us. He focused on three characteristics of the Love Of Jesus Christ, which are: Caring Love, by reaching out to the needs of others, Sacrificial love, which helps us to selflessly love others and Compassionate love, which is merciful and understanding towards others. He urged the Priests and Faithful to be humble, to be open to dialogue, to imbibe the quality of Listening to others and finally to be a person of Prayer. He said that if we adopt these qualities and attitudes we will surely be instruments of peace.
In a display of unity, the gathered priests publicly renewed the promises they made on the day of their ordination, resolving to work under the guidance of their Bishop.
The Chrism mass ended with the releasing of the Pastoral Diary for the coming Year at the hands of Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao and Auxiliary Bishop Simiao Fernandes, who is also the Director of Pastoral Secretariat and Bishop Alex Dias, Emeritus Bishop of Port Blair Diocese. The Pastoral Diary which has the Schedule for major events in the archdiocese has been prepared under the direction of Pastoral Secretariat of the Archdiocese and was presented to the Archbishop by Fr. Leo Fernandes, Executive Secretary of the Pastoral Secretariat. The Pastoral Diary is the roadmap for the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman. It ensures that all parishes, religious communities, and diocesan bodies are synchronized in their mission throughout the pastoral year. Along with this another book of Prayer services was also released.
