More than 450 Priests Gather for Annual Chrism Mass

On Tuesday, April 15, 2025, Frank Cardinal Leo, Metropolitan Archbishop of Toronto, celebrated the annual Chrism Mass at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica. This prayerful moment during Holy Week brought together more than 450 priests serving in the Archdiocese of Toronto, along with Permanent Deacons, religious men and women and parishioners from throughout the archdiocese.

Each year, the Chrism Mass provides an opportunity for priests of the archdiocese to gather in solidarity with their local bishop and to renew their commitment to priestly service. Cardinal Leo also blessed the Holy Oils that will be used at sacramental celebrations over the next year at baptisms, confirmations, for catechumens and the anointing of the sick.

Cardinal Leo thanked the priests for their faithful service, lifting them up in prayer as well as congratulating Jubilarian priests celebrating 25 and 50 years of ministry. His Eminence recalled those priests who have been called home to the Lord since all last gathered one year ago, giving thanks for their life of priestly ministry. The Chrism Mass also provides an opportunity for Catholics throughout the archdiocese to gather in thanksgiving and prayerful support of our spiritual shepherds.

We pray for the priests of our archdiocese, giving thanks for their continued faithful ministry each day. We also pray for all those who will receive Holy Oils over the next year - may the gift of faith and the blessing of these Holy Oils bring them closer to our Lord.