Calling the annual Chrism Mass his favorite liturgy of the year, Cardinal Roger Mahony led a celebration April 10 in which he encouraged all in ministry --- clergy, religious and lay --- to continue Christ's work of evangelization and to stand with the oppressed.

Several thousand faithful were gathered at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, including five auxiliary bishops, several hundred archdiocesan priests, a couple dozen deacons and their wives, religious and scores of laity. The cardinal said it was his favorite liturgy, because all areas of pastoral leadership were represented at the Chrism Mass symbolizing the Catholic Church's unity.

"We celebrate together tonight that unity and that harmony as we bless these oils for the sacramental rites of the church," said Cardinal Mahony. "In a certain sense Jesus comes as the Anointed One tonight to anoint all of us and to help us be a part of his special mission."

In the evening's Gospel reading (Luke 4: 16-21), Jesus reads from the Hebrew Scriptures in a Nazarene synagogue and proclaims his mission to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives, recovery of sight to the blind, and to set free the oppressed.

Cardinal Mahony reflected on how this mission of Jesus is being realized, beginning with the need to evangelize and share the good news with others as well as to use the sacramental oil to "go out across the Archdiocese and in a special way heal the sick."

He continued to observe how Catholics are proclaiming Jesus' message at this particular historical moment in the life of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and the U.S. by standing with the oppressed.

"Who are the oppressed today?" asked the cardinal. "Certainly our immigrant people."

A couple of hours earlier that afternoon the cardinal opened an interfaith prayer vigil for humane immigration reform outside of Our Lady Queen of Angels Church (La Placita) in Los Angeles attended by several thousand immigrants and supporters, as well as many priests, religious, and Christian, Jewish and Muslim religious leaders.

During the liturgy, the cardinal said he was proud of priests, religious and laity "who have stepped forth as leaders to create an atmosphere that will help and hopefully move towards just and humane immigration reform.

"I'm very proud of all of you, because this anointing by the anointed one must flow over all peoples, especially those in the shadows, in the margins. We must be there for them," said the cardinal. "Like Jesus we will encounter misunderstandings, the opposition, the rejection, the isolation. But if we're going to be true to our calling, the spirit of the Lord God is upon us. The Lord has anointed us and sent us forth."

Prior to blessing the holy oils for sacramental use throughout the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in the coming year, Cardinal Mahony also gave special recognition to priests celebrating their Golden and Diamond Jubilees.

Honored for 50 years of service to the people of God were Father Jerome Bouska, Augustinian Recollect Father Robert Huse, Father Fernando Iglesias, Salvatorian Father Tulio Maya, Father James Rothe and Msgr. Andrew Tseu. Augustinian Recollect James Brown was lauded for his 60 years as a priest.

As is customary at the Chrism Mass, priests and deacons renewed their commitment to their vows.

Editor's note: Next week The Tidings will profile several priests celebrating their Golden Jubilee of ordination.