There was only one Mass celebrated in the Diocese on the morning of Holy Thursday 2nd April 2026. The Chrism Mass took place at the Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne.
Priests of the diocese left their own parishes and places of ministry to travel with deacons, religious and lay people to the Cathedral in Cork for Mass celebrated by Bishop Fintan and concelebrated by the priests.
This Mass is known as the Mass of Chrism - after one of the holy oils which are blessed during this Mass each year.
Referring to the oils in his homily, Bishop said the Oil of Catechumens, the Oil of Chrism and the Oil of the Sick flow out as streams of grace to all parts of the diocese.
“They will touch the lives of our people in Baptism and Confirmation, in the Anointing of the Sick, in moments of joy and moments of great vulnerability” he said.
“They remind us that God’s grace does not remain here in the Cathedral. It goes out. It reaches people where they are.”
During the Mass of Chrism the bishops and priests renewed the promises they made at their ordination. Addressing the priests, Bishop Fintan invites people to support their priests.
“And I want to take this moment, on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of this diocese, to say simply: thank you.
Thank you for your faithful and generous service: for the many hidden and unseen ways you serve your people - baptising new members into the Church, celebrating the Eucharist, preaching the Word, accompanying families, visiting the sick, burying the dead, walking with people in moments of joy and moments of sorrow.”
“Much of what you do is not noticed publicly. But it matters deeply. And it is valued. And it is loved.”
The Mass was also concelebrated by Emeritus Bishop John Buckley and Emeritus Bishop Noel O’Regan S
