WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Tuesday evening, March 24, His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Archbishop for the Military Services, USA—who this year is celebrating the 25th anniversary of his episcopal ordination—blessed and consecrated the holy oils for sacramental use over the coming year in Catholic communities on U.S. Military sites worldwide, and in the nation’s VA Medical Centers. The rite of blessing took place at the annual Chrism Mass of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS).
Archbishop Broglio celebrated the Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. More than 300 faithful including active-duty and retired service members filled the pews of the Crypt Church for the 6:00 p.m. liturgy. Among them were midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy, and a Catholic choir from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point led the Congregation in sacred song. Dozens of Catholic U.S. Military chaplains and priests in service to the AMS joined Archbishop Broglio at the altar to concelebrate the Mass after renewing their priestly promises in an annual rite.
In his homily, Archbishop Broglio focused on “the heart of a priest,” particularly the hearts of priests serving in the military:
“Our hearts are wrenched,” he said, “because we see our faithful slaughtered once again in foreign lands. We try to spread the balm of healing as they recover from the moral injury resulting from new conflicts and with them we mourn the dead be they enemy or friend. With Pope Leo we pray for peace throughout the world.
“Satiating that hunger for peace is the responsibility of the Body of Christ, but we sense it more deeply, because we know the disastrous effects of war more than most. We see it in our installations; we know it from visits to the Veterans Medical Centers. We see it in the troubled or even vacant stares of our charges. We offer the opportunity for healing to the wounded warriors who go to Lourdes every May and join with the pilgrims from around the world in prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Mother. With all of them we beg for peace. Are not those the gifts that Jesus announced in His inaugural address in Nazareth? (Luke 4:16-21.)
“Indeed, among the oils blessed tonight is that of the Infirm. May it flow in our hospitals, battle fields, and among those plagued with trauma in heart and spirit.”
Watch video of the Archbishop’s homily here.
After the renewal of priestly commitment, Archbishop Broglio raised hands over three urns at the foot of the altar. He blessed the Oil of the Sick for the anointing of the sick and the Oil of the Catachumens for the Rite of Initiation for new Catholics, and he mixed balsam with oil forming the “chrism” for the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and priestly and episcopal ordination, stirring and breathing over the mixture as part of the consecration rite.
Among priests and chaplains joining Archbishop Broglio at the altar were Auxiliary Bishops F. Richard Spencer, Neal J. Buckon, Joseph L. Coffey, Gregg M. Caggianelli, Richard B. Higgins (Ret.), and Paul S. Loverde, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Arlington. Also concelebrating were Monsignor Anthony R. Frontiero, S.T.D., Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, and Father Mark Rutherford, J.C.D. (Cand.), Judicial Vicar.
The Reverend Mr. Christopher Wild and the Rev. Mr. Brendon Schneibel served as Deacons of the Mass. Deacon Yannick Allepot, Deacon Timothy Wolfkill, and the Rev. Brother Pius Henry, O.P., served as Deacons of the Oils. West Point Cadet-in-Charge Stephen Hopf served as a lector.
At the end of Mass, before the final blessing, Msgr. Frontiero came to the ambo to read an autographed letter from Pope Leo, congratulating Archbishop Broglio on his 25th anniversary as an Archbishop. The pope’s message reads as follows:
“To [Our] Venerable Brother, Timothy Broglio, Archbishop for the Military Services of the United States of America as you joyfully celebrate the silver jubilee of your episcopal ordination, as an expression of Our fraternal charity, We congratulate you for you long-lasting service diligently exercised at the Military Ordinariate of the USA and at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the zealous evangelical solicitude, with which you have exerted yourself in your ministry for the spiritual care of the military and also at the Secretariat of State as well as an Apostolic Nuncio, preaching about Jesus, and explaining assiduously [its] treasure.
While we wish you all the best, we accompany you with our prayers, asking for heavenly gifts through our Apostolic Blessing benevolently extended to your clergy, faithful, and those close to you.”
Archbishop Broglio offered the Pontifical Blessing and indicated that the faithful would obtain a plenary indulgence, offering a remission before God of temporal punishment due to sins.