The faithful of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Laoag led by Bishop Renato Mayugba gathered at St. William the Hermit Cathedral in Laoag for the annual Chrism Mass on Thursday.

In his homily, he said that all the baptized—clergy and laity—are brothers. By virtue of the anointing of Chrism, he said all received one baptism.

From this Church teaching on the anointing with Chrism, Mayugba drew three points to exhort the faithful.

He began by underlining the ecclesial dimension of the celebration.

He said, “We all belong to the Body of Christ. By virtue of baptism, we became the Body of Christ. Thanks to the passion, death and resurrection of the Lord.”

He wrapped up his first point by saying that the people of God are consecrated. They received an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, making them bearers of the common priesthood.

From this, according to him, there are men called by God in the ordained priesthood, to serve the people of God in the ministerial function. They stand as head in the person of Christ for His Mystical Body—the Church—that they may serve its members.

The prelate’s second point revolved on two prevailing concerns at present: synod and stewardship. He explained further the three dimensions of these concerns — communion, mission and participation.

He simplified his second point by saying, synodality and stewardship are expressed in the popular parlance of love among the brethren.

Reflecting on the Holy Oils, he explained that the blessing of the oils of the Chrism and of the sick are to be celebrated in high solemnity in the presence of the local Church to stress that all are consecrated.

This means all are chosen, he said, adding that they are taken to fulfill a certain duty and ministry for the good of all.

Another highlight of the celebration was the renewal of the clergy of the promises at ordination.

The bishop exhorted them for their fidelity to the priestly calling by always practicing what they teach.

The Chrism Mass was celebrated on Holy Thusrday attended by a huge assembly composed of the clergy and the lay faithful from the various parishes of this Northern Luzon diocese.