St Vincent’s Cathedral Church • Tuesday, April 11, 2006
The Rt Rev Jack Leo Iker, SSC, Bishop
Each year on Tuesday in Holy Week, the clergy of the diocese gather with Bishop Iker for this traditional service, which has three special purposes that distinguish it from any other occasion during the year. First, the bishop, priests, and deacons renew their ordination vows, and the clergy join the Bishop at the altar during the consecration of the Eucharistic elements. Following the administration of Holy Eucharist, vials of holy oils (chrism) are brought to the altar for the Bishop to bless. Following the service, these are distributed to the priests to use throughout the year for baptism and healing. Also, according to ancient custom, the Bishop blesses a priest host (or fermentum) for each congregation. Each rector or vicar receives one of these, which he will use in his own church during the Maundy Thursday liturgy. In this way, the Bishop's blessing is communicated to the entire diocese.
The tradition of this service dates back to the early Church and is part of the annual preparation for Easter.
