The Catholic Diocese of Karwar celebrated the Chrism Mass today, March 21, 2024, at Our Lady of Assumption Church in Kajubag, Karwar. The Chrism Mass is a significant event in the life of the diocese, where the bishop and priests from all corners of the diocese come together to concelebrate Mass.

This ceremony, which symbolizes and renews the unity of the priests with their bishop, involves the consecration of Holy Oils by the bishop. These oils will be used during Easter next week and throughout the year. Thus, it is like a preparation that inaugurates the festivity of Easter, which in turn begins a new liturgical period for the Christians – a period that reminds the Christians of the closeness of God to them in their sufferings, their endeavours and the liturgical moments.

In the olden days, Oil was used as a symbol of strength and healing. Catholic Tradition, believes in the fact that God takes these things, such as oil, from the human and natural realm and gives it a new meaning – in this case spiritual strength and spiritual healing. These elements, through which God acts in the Christian liturgies, have nourished and strengthened the Christian communities for over two thousand years, assuring them of the presence and action of God in their life and history both in good times and in times of adversity.

This was the last Chrism Mass celebrated by Bishop Derek Fernandes, as the diocese of Karwar will now have a new Bishop, Bishop-elect Duming Dias, who will be consecrated Bishop on 9 April 2024. Thus, at his outset, Bishop Fernandes drew attention to the unity and collaboration he enjoyed with the priests and the people of Karwar appreciating the quality of the priests in Karwar. Bishop Fernandes served the Diocese of Karwar for 17 years.

Fr. Simon Tellis, a close collaborator of Bishop Fernandes, expressed his appreciation for the work done by the outgoing bishop. He mentioned how he could be easily approached by all, how he has been close to the people, especially during difficult times, and how he has been a great administrator who continued the legacy of the first bishop of Karwar, Bishop William D’Mello. Reminiscing the qualities of Bishop Fernandes as a good Shepherd Fr. Simon Tellis wished him all the best in all his endeavours.