Holiness is an ongoing lifelong process, Cardinal Roger Mahony said at the annual Chrism Mass celebrated April 2 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.

And the sacred oils and chrism blessed that evening and used throughout the coming year, he said, were not only visible signs of God's presence but powerful sources of energy to help Christians on their individual journeys of salvation.

"One of the primary purposes of these oils - the oil of catechumens, oil of the sick and the sacred chrism - is to help us on the road and path to holiness," declared the cardinal at the evening service, attended by more than 3,000 people from across the Los Angeles Archdiocese. "We have that universal call to holiness, and the sacramental life of the church is meant to assist us.

"We are not anointed just once as if that were a static event and then there is no further growth," he pointed out. "No, the understanding of the holy oils is that when we receive them in the sacramental life of the church, we receive them in a way that continues to grow and deepen and become ever more powerful."

At the nearly two-hour liturgy, the bishops, priests and deacons of the archdiocese also renewed their special promises to serve Christ and his people, vowing to live out their discipleship. The congregation was asked to pray for them and to continue to assist them in their ministries.

Following a custom established in the late 1990s, priests celebrating 50 years of ministry were recognized. The golden jubilarians honored were retired Monterey (and former Los Angeles Auxiliary) Bishop Sylvester Ryan, Msgrs. Eugene Gilb and Jerome Schmit and Fathers Thomas Action, George Brincat, Edward Landreau, George O'Brien and Jesuit Father George Aziz.

Cardinal Mahony stressed it was a cumulative effect of the sacramental signs and grace that was vital. He also said priests and deacons had to be more liberal in how the signs of the oils and chrism were used, adding that nowhere were they instructed to give a simple "thumbprint" of oil at a baptism.

"A thumbprint is not anointing with oil," he said, drawing chuckles from the congregation. "We need to anoint with great enthusiasm and be far more generous than we have been in utilizing these signs. Because they are an important part of who we are in our journey.

"So my brother priests and deacons, please be generous in using the oils and the chrism," he advised. "And if you run out during the middle of the year, we'll call you all back and bless some more."

The cardinal also took note of the connection between the sacred oils and chrism and the Eucharist, explaining that all of salvation comes from and through the sacrament. Glancing around the altar, surrounded by tables holding vials of the oils and chrism to be blessed, he said this was exactly the right liturgical arrangement because of their close tie. And he asked everyone present to reflect on this union.

"So my friends, tonight is a very special night," Cardinal Mahony observed. "A night to remember deeply our salvation history, and that wonderful role of these holy oils and the sacred chrism. And I just encourage us to be more generous in understanding the sign value, the energy, the cumulative effect of these oils in our lives and in our journeys of faith."