Holy Week - Tuesday - Vocation

The beginning of Holy Week is when each diocese has their 'Chrism Eucharist'... a time for people across the diocese to come together and renew their commitment to the ministry that God has called them each called to.

We couldn't meet together this year, but Bishop John and Bishop Martin recorded this video message that you might like to watch, if you didn't see it yesterday.

Here is the renewal of baptism promises service that Bishop John mentions in the video, in case you would like to use it. (It begins by suggesting that all across the diocese use it at 11 o'clock on Monday 6th, as a symbolic gathering together because that is when the Chrism Eucharist should have been... but it can be used equally well any other time!)

As well as the renewal of commitment to ministry, the Chrism Eucharist is the time when parishes collect the blessed holy oils for use in the coming year. There are three - for anointing the sick; for use at baptism; and for other significant occasions such as confirmation and ordination. That combination - the sick; those beginning a new journey of faith; those experiencing momentous occasions - seems particularly poignant during this pandemic-induced lockdown.

♫ For music today, how about a piece that is traditionally sung at ordinations and Pentecost - Come Holy Ghost, our souls inspire (or, for the latin version: Veni Creator Spiritus)