During the nation's and the world's current economic crisis, the blessing of the sacred oils takes on a special meaning, Cardinal Roger Mahony observed at the annual Chrism Mass April 6.

Citing a reading from the Old Testament Prophet Isaiah, the cardinal said the oil of gladness should take the place of mourning.

"It seems that we certainly are in a time of mourning as many people have lost jobs, have lost health benefits and have diminished pensions, have lost investments, have lost houses and, of course, above all have lost hope for the future," the cardinal said.

"And so it seems to me particularly at the blessing of the oils this year and our use of them in the sacramental life of the church has a very rich and special meaning: 'To give them oil of gladness in place of mourning.'"

During his homily at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, Cardinal Mahony pointed out that the sacred chrism blessed tonight is mixed with a "compounded fragrance" that has the capability of spreading aromas throughout even large structures like churches. Moreover, he said, the fragrance of Christ is signified in this special fragrance.

"That chrism represents in, I think, a beautiful way the universal presence of the fragrance of Christ, and that we have been anointed with that chrism. We have become the ongoing fragrance of Christ in the world. So this evening as we bless the oil of the sick, the oil of the catechumens and the sacred chrism, let us remember the importance of these oils as they become points of gladness poured out upon our people."

In dioceses around the world, the Chrism Mass is celebrated during Holy Week. The oils, which are signs of God's goodness and generosity, are then used throughout the year in sacramental rites - including baptism, confirmation and anointing of the sick - of the Los Angeles Archdiocese's parishes. They are also closely connected to the Eucharist and Holy Orders.

Since 1999, the liturgy has also acknowledged the golden jubilarian priests of the archdiocese celebrating 50 years of ministry. This year 15 priests are marking their golden jubilees: Monsignors Sean Flanagan, John Foley, Michael Killeen, John Mihan, William O'Keeffe and Francis Weber, and Fathers Francis Cassidy, John Daly, Kevin Larkin, Jeremiah O'Neill, Thomas Peacha, Cornelius Phelan, Al Scott, Peter Tsang and Thomas Weible.

Father Peacha told The Tidings his half-century as a priest has gone by "incredibly" fast. He can remember like it was only a few years ago the night before his ordination, when he and a friend from the Philippines, now deceased Father Tito Bongay, went to a monastery run by Dominican Sisters to pray for strength and guidance.

And over the years his prayers were answered, bringing countless joys as a parish priest to the 77-year-old member of St. John's Seminary class of 1959. "As you get older, like everybody, you get tired," he said. "But once you get into some activity in the parish or in the church, you get invigorated. So you really get a lot of grace and life, and that's why retirement for us is not the easiest thing in the world."

At the Chrism Mass, it took nearly 20 minutes for the more than 150 diocesan and religious order priests wearing ecru-colored vestments to process down the center aisle of the downtown Cathedral as the choir sang the hymn "Here I Am, Lord." During the two-hour liturgy, bishops, priests and deacons also renewed their solemn commitment of service, while receiving the prayers of the people in the pews.

After, across the courtyard, the oils were distributed in the Cathedral Convention Center to representatives of parishes. Anthony Cardona, with a group of youths from Santa Rosa Church in San Fernando, was a "bagger," making sure that each bag on the banquet table in front of him had three bottles: oil of the catechumens, oil of the sick and the sacred chrism.

"We don't want to shortchange anybody," the 19-year-old quipped, before adding, "It just feels good doing this and hanging out with people you know care about you."

Father Paul Albee, pastor of Holy Cross Church, had driven from Moorpark to pick up the holy oils. Coming to the Chrism Mass has always been a time of renewal as well as a happy occasion for the priest.

"I thought the cardinal's homily tonight was very good," he said. "What I liked about it was the image he gave of the fragrance of the chrism. That's something I hadn't thought of before."