Malolos City, Bulacan - Bishop Dennis C. Villarojo emphasized the meaning of “synodality” in his homily at the Chrism Mass on the morning of Holy Tuesday, April 14, 2025 at the Minor Basilica and Cathedral Parish of the Immaculate Conception.
“The Holy Spirit is not a dictator. God is 'logos'. God is reason. Therefore, may there be no dictator bishop, no autocratic priest, no lay busabos,” said Bishop Villarojo after testifying to the entire presbytery and people of God that the Holy Spirit is symbolized by the oil poured on the head of the bishop, flowing through the hands of the clergy, and anointing the heads of the faithful.
“A priest no longer needs to say: ‘I am the priest, I am the one to be followed,’” he said, emphasizing the importance of strengthening trust through the three measures of synodality: transparency, accountability, and evaluation. He also said that these are like oil that will lubricate the hinges of closed minds and emotions.
The Bishop also expressed his joy at the usual witnessing of the parishioners in this Mass which featured the consecration of Chrism, the blessing of oils for the sick and those being prepared for Baptism, and the renewal of the priests' promises. This is a declaration, he said, that there is no orphaned shepherd in the Diocese of Malolos.
Before the end of the said Mass, those celebrating their 25th anniversary as priests were recognized: Father Ramon Bernardo, Father Ramil Juat, Father Joselito Rodriguez, Father Angelito Santiago, Father Jose Jay Santos, Father Carlo Sorro, and Father Ronaldo Zablan. Also celebrating their Golden Anniversary was Father Jesus Tantoco.
The Chrism Mass is usually celebrated on the morning of Holy Thursday before the beginning of the Holy Triduum with the Mass of the Last Supper. However, for some pastoral reasons, it has become the custom in the Diocese of Malolos since April 11, 2017 to celebrate the Chrism Mass every morning of Holy Tuesday. The last Maundy Thursday celebration was on March 24, 2016. The celebration was moved to July 3 and June 21 in 2020 and 2021 due to restrictions caused by the pandemic.
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