Chrism Mass Celebrated in Alotau-Sidea and Installation of New Cathedral Administrator

Alotau: On March 20, 2025, the Catholic Diocese of Alotau-Sidea came together to celebrate the Chrism Mass, a very important event in the Church. This special Mass was led by Most Rev. Rolando Santos, CM, DD, the Bishop of Alotau-Sidea. He was joined by Most Rev. Jozef Roszynski, SVD, DD, the Bishop of Wewak, along with many priests from Alotau-Sidea and other dioceses. Some of these visiting priests were in Alotau for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference SOCOM Summit, which made the occasion even more special. Also present were participants of the SOCOM Summit, including laypeople and religious leaders, who gathered in faith to witness this solemn and meaningful celebration.

Diocese of Alotau - Sideia Priests with His Lordship Bishop Rolando Santos CM and His Lordship Bishop Jozef Roszynski SVD.

The Chrism Mass is one of the most important liturgical celebrations in the Catholic Church. It is usually held during Holy Week and is a time when priests renew their promises to serve God and His people. It is also the Mass where the bishop blesses the sacred oils that will be used in different sacraments throughout the year. These include the Oil of the Sick, which is used for anointing those who are ill or near death, the Oil of Catechumens, which is used for those preparing for baptism; and the Sacred Chrism, which is used for baptisms, confirmations, ordinations, and the dedication of churches. These oils play a big role in the spiritual life of the Church because they are signs of God’s grace, healing, and strength.

During the Mass, all the priests present renewed their priestly promises. This is a moment of reflection and recommitment, where priests remember the day they were ordained and promise once again to faithfully serve their communities. The faithfuls also took this opportunity to pray for their priests and bishops, asking God to give them strength, wisdom, and guidance in their ministry.

In his homily, Bishop Rolando spoke about the beauty and importance of the priesthood. He reminded the people that priests have a special mission to guide others closer to Christ. He explained that being a priest is not always easy, as they face many challenges, difficulties, and temptations. Because of this, he encouraged everyone to always pray for their priests and bishops, supporting them in their work so that they can continue to serve with joy and dedication. He also asked the priests to remain faithful to their calling and to always remember that their role is to bring people closer to God through their words, actions, and service.

At the end of the Mass, there was a special moment when Fr. Augustine Ha Vu, CM, was officially installed as the new Administrator of the Sacred Heart Catholic Cathedral in Alotau. His appointment is an important responsibility, as he will now be leading and serving the cathedral community. The faithful gathered, offering their prayers and support as he takes on this new role. The installation of a new administrator is always a significant event because it marks a new chapter in the leadership of the diocese. It is a moment of joy, hope, and renewal for the community.

The celebration of the Chrism Mass and the installation of the new administrator reminded everyone of the unity of the Church and the need to support priests in their mission. The people who attended the Mass left with a renewed sense of faith and appreciation for the role of priests in their spiritual journey.

The faithfuls were urged to keep all priests and bishops in their prayers, especially those serving in the Diocese of Alotau-Sidea. So that that that they remain strong in their calling and continue to guide their people with faith and love.