At the Chrism mass celebrated on Monday in St George's Madrid, the clergy, readers and lay faithful present also rejoiced in the collation of the Revd David Waller as a canon of the diocese. Canon Waller will occupy the stall of Blessed John Henry Newman (in the Pro-Cathedral in Malta). The new canon is the Chaplain of the Anglican Church in Palma de Mallorca, and an Area Dean in the Archdeaconry of Gibraltar.
About 20 clergy and readers from Portugal, Spain and the Balearic Islands came together for the solemn ceremony of blessing the oils and renewal of vows of ministry. Many of the clergy and lay ministers met on Sunday evening for a dinner and companionship. It can be a lonely business, ministry, especially in the Diocese in Europe. It is good to take advantage of such times to get together for mutual support and building of colleagiality.
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| Clergy and readers prepare for the liturgy |
The most solemn moment in the rite of blessing the oils is the consecration of Holy Chrism. According to ancient tradition he priests join with the bishop in this prayer, signifying their unity in the sacred priesthood, and together they invoke the Holy Spirit on the fragrant oil which is used after baptisms, at confirmations and the ordination of priests.
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| Photo courtesy of Ken Greenall |
St George's hosted us very warmly. The Revd Dr John Kilgore, the locum priest, had only arrived a couple of days before, but together with Reader Celia Patterson and wonderful lay volunteers in the parish, we were given warm hospitality.
The three sacred oils - for catechumens (those preparing for or about to be baptised), for the sick and the chrism - are distributed to the congregations of the diocese, having first been decanted carefully by Deacon Frances, one of her annual favourite jobs! In the above photo, Reader Celia Patterson supervises.
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| Canon David and Mrs Julie Waller. Photo courtesy of Ken Greenall |
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| Photo courtesy of Ken Greenall |
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