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Bishop Robert Brennan’s Full Homily: 2025 Chrism Mass in the Diocese of Brooklyn

By Currents News

Below is the full text from Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan’s homily during the 2025 Chrism Mass at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph in Prospect Heights. 

2025 April 15 Chrism Mass

In early January a delegation from the diocese participated in the SEEK ’25 conference hosted by the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS).  In a presentation on “the Wages of Sin”, Heather Khym, who works with Ascension Press spoke about a moment of desperation and powerlessness she experienced at a sudden medical emergency involving her young son.  She spoke about how after she tried unsuccessfully to address the situation herself, the medics arrived with the remedy.  Of course, when it comes to the human condition and the ‘wages of sin’, God has come with the remedy, the gift of himself.  The refrain throughout her talk was, “where we go in our desperation matters”.

Her talk was, in itself, amazing.  But, I do have to admit, my mind wondered a bit and I found myself thinking about the passages we just heard this evening.   

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me.  

He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the lowly, to heal the broken hearted.

To proclaim liberty to the captives and release to prisoners.

To announce a year of favor from the Lord and a day of vindication by our God, to comfort those who morn: to place on those who mourn in Zion a diadem instead of ashes. 

To give them oil of gladness in place of mourning, a glorious mantle instead of a listless spirit.”  (Isaiah 57)

Now, I can only speak for myself, but whenever I hear this passage and the corresponding Gospel where Jesus reads the same, pointing to its fulfillment in Himself, I immediately think of myself as sharing in this ministry of Christ.  That is not incorrect.  Indeed, the context generally is a call, an invitation, a challenge, to go forth.  We are indeed anointed, all of us through Baptism and Confirmation, and sent forth to bring glad tidings. Moreover in a few moments, we priests will renew our priestly promises, being “resolved to be faithful stewards of the mysteries of God in the Holy Eucharist and the other liturgical rites and to discharge faithfully the sacred office of teaching, following Christ the Head and the Shepherd, not seeking any gain but moved only by zeal for souls.”  

This is no small thing.  I thank God every day for the opportunity to serve as a priest and bishop.  

Yet, before all else, Jesus addressed this passage to the lowly, the imprisoned, those with heavy burdens and listless spirits.  He is speaking to us.  He speaks good news. 

I am the lowly one in need of good news.  I am imprisoned by my own limits and sin.  It is I who bear a listless spirit.  We all mourn, and we have experienced broken hearts.  

I need a savior.  Contrary to popular belief, I cannot save myself.  

We all know of people who have walked down disastrous paths, seeking relief, escape or the illusion of freedom or control.  We’ve seen the wreckage and havoc on so many individuals and families.  You as parish priests often helped pick up the pieces.

More likely for many of us, we can be tempted to seek meaning in our work or projects or on the contrary, to withdraw to our rooms doing the minimum and getting by.  The modern good is to say, “I can manage this on my own, I can take care of this.”  Truth is, we need the savior – and that we know him personally. 

I think of the late Cardinal Van Thuan.  As he was taken away on a prison ship from all that he loved, all that had meaning for him, he asked himself, “Do I love God, or do I love the things of God?”  

Brother priests, friends all, today, before all else we give ourselves over to Jesus Christ who brings glad tidings, liberty and a glorious mantle in place of a listless spirit.  We recognize OUR NEED and GOD’S GIFT.  We need a savior, and he has come extending the hand of friendship. 

As we ask the Lord’s blessings on these oils, we will pray that “we who are outwardly anointed may be inwardly transformed and come to share eternal salvation.” (From the Blessing of the Sacred Chrism.)  

I am always overwhelmed by the enthusiastic presence of so many at this mass.  This evening is no exception 

Thank you to all of you who are here and all who join by way of NET TV for your love and prayers for your priests and for sharing by this love the joy of the Gospel.  

Thanks to all who serve in so many capacities in our parishes and movements, in diocesan and related ministries as well as to all those who support those works.  May I take this opportunity to thank all those who took part in the varied celebrations of Eucharistic Revival last year and those who just walked any part of the Lenten Pilgrimage and the Station Churches that hosted us this year?  

Thanks to the religious sisters and brothers.  The legacy that we have inherited from the Religious Congregations and the depths of contemplation and apostolic service provided by our religious today never escapes me.  We are blessed by you Sisters and Brothers.  

I thank our deacons, ordained for service, for the generous gifts of yourselves – and I thank your families as well for the sacrifices they make for you to offer this service.  Two of the deacons for this Mass have given particular assistance to me and to the bishops and priests of the Diocese of Brooklyn and will be retiring from full time employment.  Deacon Jaime and Deacon Julio, we thank you very much.  

To our priests and bishops, thank you so very much.  The generous resolution you made at ordination and renewed today: to be united with the Lord Jesus and more closely conformed to Him, inspires me every day and brings hope to God’s people.   I can never thank you enough. 

Let’s pray for those who are ill and suffering.  Let’s give thanks for those who have gone home to the Lord after dedicating faithful service to him.  

Congratulations to all who celebrate jubilee anniversaries this year.  The worship aid lists those anniversaries.  We do have a rare privilege as we congratulate Father Dominic Cutrone on his seventy years of service as a priest.  Congratulations and thank you Father Cutrone.  

Welcome to all who incardinated in the last year. And to the Ordination Class from last year.  I will use the Chrism blessed today to ordain 7 men in June.  Thanks to all those involved in the work of vocations, the formation of seminarians, and the various ministries of service to our priest.  

God Bless you one and all this evening and as we stand at the threshold to the Sacred Triduum. 

 

We should glory in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, in whom is our salvation, life and resurrection, through whom we are saved and delivered.        (Entrance Antiphon Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper.)

Lenten Pilgrimage Unites Brooklyn and Queens Ahead of Easter

By Currents News

The Diocese of Brooklyn’s Lenten Pilgrimage is helping people prepare spiritually for the Easter holiday.

The faithful are making their last few stops across Brooklyn and Queens, leading up to the Easter Triduum.

On Friday April 11, the students of Resurrection-Ascension Catholic Academy in Queens led the day of prayer as Bishop Brennan celebrated a Mass at the Rego Park parish.

Afterwards, the students went back to class, and the pilgrims continued their program which included adoration,  confession, and recitation of the Rosary.  

The day before, on Thursday April 10, Bishop Robert Brennan led the way to Brooklyn’s Resurrection Church.

The shepherd celebrating morning Mass and praying the Stations of the Cross at the Gerritsen Beach parish. 

The stop had a full schedule following the bishop’s visit, including a noon Angelus, an afternoon of silent Eucharistic Adoration, and an evening benediction.

Catholic News Headlines for Tuesday 4/15/2025

Hundreds of Diocese of Brooklyn priests are gathering with Bishop Robert Brennan for the annual Chrism Mass.

Holy Week has begun in Rome with its traditional services, but during untraditional times: many are wondering if and when they will see Pope Francis.

The Lenten Pilgrimage across Brooklyn and Queens is coming to a close as faithful make a stop at the last Jubilee Year station church along the route.

An Inside Look: Palm Sunday Celebrations Around the World

By Currents News

In honor of Holy Week, Currents News is taking a look at Palm Sunday processions around the world. They are a vibrant displays of faith through villages and cities, often accompanied by palm fronds, olive branches, singing and prayers.

Bishop Brennan to Bless Sacred Oils, Speak to Priests at Chrism Mass

By Currents News and Paula Katinas

PROSPECT HEIGHTS — In a tradition that is a familiar part of Holy Week, hundreds of Diocese of Brooklyn priests will gather with Bishop Robert Brennan at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph in Prospect Heights for the annual Chrism Mass on April 15.

During the Mass, scheduled for 4 p.m., Bishop Brennan will consecrate the chrism oil and bless the other sacred oils that are used in diocesan churches throughout the year for baptisms, confirmations, anointing of the sick, and other sacraments.

Bishop Brennan will breathe into the vessel holding the chrism oil — an action meant to remind all of the presence of the Holy Spirit. 

Following the Mass, the oils will be distributed to church pastors to take back to their home parishes to use throughout the year. 

The priests will also renew their vow of obedience to Bishop Brennan during the Mass. Priests originally take that vow when they are ordained and renew it every year.

Auxiliary bishops, deacons, women and men religious, and laypeople affiliated with the diocese are also expected to attend the Mass.

In addition to the consecration and blessing of the oils, the Mass is notable for another reason. In previous years, Bishop Brennan has used it as an occasion to deliver a special message to his priests — inspiring words they can carry with them throughout the year.

In his 2024 homily, he sounded a note of unity and brotherhood. 

“The oils that we bless this evening mark our unity with one another, our unity with Christ himself, and our unity in His mission,” Bishop Brennan said.

Despite Improved Health, Pope Picks Cardinals To Lead Holy Week Liturgies

By Cindy Wooden and Currents News

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Francis is going without supplemental oxygen for longer periods and is continuing therapy to recover his voice and to recover his physical strength, the Vatican press office said, but he also is increasing the number of private meetings he is holding with the heads of Vatican offices.

Briefing reporters April 15, Tuesday of Holy Week, the most liturgically significant and busy week of the year, the Vatican press office did not say if Pope Francis would attend any of the liturgies, but it announced the names of the cardinals delegated by the pope to preside over the chrism Mass on Holy Thursday, the Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion April 18 and the Way of the Cross at Rome’s Colosseum that night.

RELATED: ‘Pope of Surprises’ Puts in Unscripted Appearance at Palm Sunday Mass

The pope asked Italian Cardinal Domenico Calcagno, retired president of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Holy See, to lead the morning chrism Mass April 17. While the parish of St. Peter’s Basilica has its own Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper, the pope usually celebrates the evening Mass with the foot-washing rite “privately” at a prison or detention facility; the press office said it had no information about what the pope would do this year.

Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, prefect of the Dicastery for Eastern Churches, was chosen by the pope to lead the Good Friday liturgy in St. Peter’s Basilica. The Vatican’s long custom is that the preacher of the papal household, now Capuchin Father Roberto Pasolini, preaches at the liturgy.

Pope Francis asked Cardinal Baldassare Reina, his vicar for the Diocese of Rome, to lead the Via Crucis at the Colosseum that night. Pope Francis prepared the text of the meditations, the press office said.

The 88-year-old pope, who was released from Rome’s Gemelli hospital March 23 after 38 days of treatment, spent two weeks in his rooms in the Domus Sanctae Marthae before making any public appearances. Then he arrived briefly at the end of Masses in St. Peter’s Square April 6 and April 13, visited St. Peter’s Basilica April 10 and the Basilica of St. Mary Major April 12.

Bloody Palm Sunday in Ukraine | Thousands Mark Holy Day in Jerusalem Despite War

By Currents News

While this is meant to be a sacred time for Catholics and Christians around the world-

It was a bloody Palm Sunday for some people of faith in Ukraine.

Tragedy struck a city in the northeastern section of the country, as two Russian ballistic missiles landed around 10 am-

right as people were making their way to church. 

Reports say the attack killed at least 34 people, including 15 children-

And injured more than 100. 

Over in the war-torn Holy Land-

Four thousand people attended a Palm Sunday procession from the Mount of Olives into the Old City of Jerusalem, just like Jesus did thousands of years ago. 

Between bursts of rain, the pilgrims were led by a Christian scouts troop that sang hymns and clapped their hands as people waved their palms. 

After, those fronds were blessed by Latin Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa during a Mass in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. 

Currents News Special: Coming to Catholicism

In the Diocese of Brooklyn nearly 700 people were baptized into the Catholic faith at the Easter Vigil this year.

Currents News was there as hundreds of catechumens took part in the time-honored tradition of the Rite of Election.

Meet the soon-to-be Catholics of Brooklyn and Queens and learn how they are preparing to take the next step in their faith journey.

While catechumens prepare for the future, parishioners across the Diocese of Brooklyn are currently on the last leg of a different journey during the Lenten Pilgrimage.

TONIGHT AT 7: Three Diocese Unite for Reconciliation Monday Services

By The Tablet and Currents News Staff

PROSPECT HEIGHTS — Catholics in the Diocese of Brooklyn, the Archdiocese of New York and the Diocese of Rockville Centre will have the opportunity to become closer to God if they go to a church to confess their sins on April 14 — the day known as Reconciliation Monday.

Churches in the two dioceses and the archdiocese will be open from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and again from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and priests will be on hand to welcome the faithful who wish to receive the sacrament of reconciliation in preparation for Easter Sunday on April 20.

Parishioners can contact their local churches for more information and to verify availability, or visit the Diocese of Brooklyn’s website at https://dioceseofbrooklyn.org/directories/parishes/ to find a parish near them.

Reconciliation Monday is a day in the Lenten season that gives the faithful a chance to become reconciled with God as they prepare for Easter Sunday. Lent is traditionally a time for the faithful to reflect, repent and seek forgiveness for their sins in advance of celebrating Christ’s resurrection.