Tristan : Monsignor McPartland Officiates A Tristan First
Submitted by Tristan Times (Sarah Glass) 21.07.2007 (Article Archived on 22.09.2007)
It occurred in the Parish Church of St Joseph with the celebration of the Easter Chrism Mass, which is more popularly known as the ‘Mass of the Oils’.
A Tristan First
Monsignor McPartland at St. Joseph's Catholic Church on Tristan da Cunha
A little bit of Church History took place on Tristan da Cunha on Maundy Thursday, 5th April 2007.
It occurred in the Parish Church of St Joseph with the celebration of the Easter Chrism Mass, which is more popularly known as the 'Mass of the Oils'. What was unusual on this occasion is the fact that this particular Mass is normally celebrated, each year (about this time), in diocesan Cathedrals throughout the world.
During this Mass, the Bishop consecrates the sacred oils to be used by priests in their ministry throughout the forthcoming year. For example the sacred oils are used in the administration of the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and in the anointing of the sick. After the Chrism Mass, the priests take sufficient oils with them back to their various parishes.
However, the Roman Catholic Church in the South Atlantic is not yet a full diocese (Tristan da Cunha is served by Apostolic Prefecture of the Falkland Islands) and consequently does not have a Cathedral. So the Prefect Apostolic, who is appointed by the Pope to head the Church in the South Atlantic Ocean (and is the equivalent of a bishop in Church Law), was intentionally on the Island at this time to be with the Catholic community for the celebration of all the Easter ceremonies – including the Chrism Mass – and to spend time with them on a formal pastoral visitation.
Certainly, the celebration of this special Mass had never ever before taken place on Tristan da Cunha. It was, therefore, a truly historic occasion in every sense of the word.
Mgr Michael Bernard McPartland SMA
Prefect Apostolic, Falkland Islands and
Ecclesiastic Superior of Tristan da Cunha.
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