By Valentine Obienyem
What stood out during the celebration of the Chrism Mass at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Nanka, in the Ekwulobia Diocese was a moment that revealed the depth of affection the faithful have for Mr. Peter Obi. As Peter Cardinal Okpaleke prepared to begin his homily, he acknowledged the dignitaries present or represented, from the Governor to traditional rulers.
Having come to him last, guided more by wisdom than by protocol, and fully aware of what would follow, the Cardinal paused and remarked that he was unsure how best to introduce a man he was nevertheless bound to introduce – one whose mention would inevitably draw thunderous applause. Before he could complete the introduction, members of the congregation had already begun chanting “Peter Obi,” their excitement filling the space. Smiling, the Cardinal observed, “I have not even introduced him, and you have already started mentioning his name.”
He then added, in a calm and pastoral tone, that Mr. Obi was represented by Mr. Valentine Obienyem. Rather than subdue the moment, this only heightened the reaction, as the cathedral erupted in even louder applause. In that moment of warmth and spontaneous acclaim, I was reminded of the story of Epictetus. Have you heard of him, the slave who grew to become one of the most admired philosophers?
Epictetus’ master was twisting his leg one day when he calmly remarked, “You will break it.” The master continued. When the leg was broken, Epictetus simply added, just as calmly, “I told you so.” Similarly, as the applause in appreciation of Mr. Obi grew louder, the Cardinal remarked, “Did I not tell you?” This is why I described Peter Obi as an “embarrassment” – but a positive one: a disruptive acknowledgment of goodness in a country where individuals of his kind are rare to find.
After the brief moment of light drama, he turned to the central focus of the day: the Chrism Mass. In earlier years, this sacred celebration was typically held on the morning of Maundy Thursday; however, many bishops now, for pastoral reasons, choose to move and decentralize it to other days within Holy Week. Today, the Cardinal – ever the teacher – explained that the bishop has the authority to determine the most suitable day for the Chrism Mass within Holy Week, in accordance with pastoral needs. He further emphasized that it is celebrated during Holy Week in the Catholic Church because it connects directly to the institution of the priesthood and the Eucharist at the Last Supper, highlights the unity of the bishop with his priests and the faithful, and prepares the Church to enter more deeply into the mystery and grace of Easter.
The Cardinal, reflecting on today’s readings, emphasized that every anointing is both a profound gift and a sacred responsibility. In the Catholic Church, he explained, Baptism anoints us into Christ, drawing us into His life and mission, while Confirmation strengthens that anointing, sealing us with the Holy Spirit and empowering us to bear witness with courage and conviction. Yet, he cautioned that such anointing is never meant to remain hidden or passive; rather, it must be lived out daily in visible acts of service, authentic witness, and selfless love toward others.
Echoing the wisdom of Archbishop Albert Obiefuna, the Cardinal further stressed that consecration is never an end in itself but always directed toward mission. There is always a call and always a sending – an invitation to go forth and transform the world through the grace received. In this way, the Christian life becomes a continuous response to God’s call, where every believer is not only chosen but also sent, carrying the light of Christ into the world.
He illustrated this with the story of a young man appointed to lead his group, who, uncertain of himself, sought guidance and was simply told to lead by example. In the same way, he explained, every Christian is called to leadership through service, making full use of every opportunity wherever they find themselves. He urged the congregation to be attentive to those who have lost faith, those who are confused, those who have fallen away, and those who have lost hope, reminding them that they can become instruments of God’s help to others. Drawing from Scripture, he pointed to the example of the prophet Elijah, whom God sustained through an angel when he was fleeing for his life under the threat of Jezebel, emphasizing that just as God provided strength to the weary then, He continues to work through His people today to bring comfort, guidance, and renewal to those in need.
As a central part of the Chrism Mass is the blessing of sacred oils, the Cardinal reflected on their meaning and use. He explained that the Oil of the Sick brings healing and comfort, recalling the teaching in the Epistle of James: “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church… and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord” (James 5:14), showing that in the anointing, Christ Himself is present. The Oil of Catechumens strengthens those preparing for Baptism, while the Sacred Chrism, used in Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Orders, and the dedication of churches, signifies consecration and the seal of the Holy Spirit. He also cautioned, with a touch of humour, that what is consecrated must be rightly understood and reverently used, not confused with ordinary substances. Taking the humour to its logical conclusion, he added that if one has Goya oil at home, it is better used for preparing stew.
I was particularly moved by the Cardinal’s reflection on the use of incense and its profound spiritual symbolism. He explained that as the fragrant smoke rises from the thurible, so too do the prayers of the faithful ascend to God, offering a visible expression of invisible devotion. Drawing from the words of Psalm 141 – “Let my prayer rise before you like incense” – he beautifully connected liturgical action with the spiritual life of the Church, showing how worship engages both the senses and the soul.
He further made a heartfelt appeal for unity within the Church, unity between the bishop and his priests, between priests and the faithful, and among all members of the community. He cautioned against the subtle but damaging spirit of misunderstanding, which can erode trust, weaken relationships, and fracture the bond of communion. Concluding with pastoral warmth, he invited the faithful to pray earnestly for their priests, asking for a renewed love for the priesthood and fresh strength for those labouring in God’s vineyard, so that they may continue their mission with fidelity, humility, and joy.
After the homily, the priests were called forward by Fr. Law Nwankwo – doing what he does best – to renew their priestly promises. Over the years, Fr. Nwankwo has remained a dependable ally; at times when I write on topics touching on doctrine and sensitive matters, I often share them with him for review before publication to ensure doctrinal purity and, in a way, to obtain his imprimatur, even if unofficially. Together, the priests renewed the promises they made at their ordination, recommitting themselves to faithful service, the preaching of the Gospel, and the worthy celebration of the sacraments.
In the end, the celebration stood as a profound reminder that the Chrism Mass is not merely a ritual, but a spiritual pilgrimage – one that calls all the faithful to return to Christ, to entrust their burdens to Him, and to live out the grace of their anointing in unity, service, and hope.
During the Mass, the Oil of the Sick was blessed, a sacred oil used in the Anointing of the Sick to bring healing, strength, and comfort to those who are ill. After the Mass, the Oil of Catechumens and the Sacred Chrism were blessed: the Oil of Catechumens strengthens those preparing for Baptism, while the Sacred Chrism, consecrated by the bishop, is used in Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Orders, and the dedication of churches and altars, signifying consecration and the seal of the Holy Spirit.
At this point, the bishop invoked God’s blessing upon different categories of people. He began with consecrated persons, praying that those who have dedicated their lives to God may remain steadfast and faithful in their vocation. He then extended his blessing to government functionaries, praying for wisdom, integrity, and a sincere commitment to the common good. Finally, he blessed all those serving the people in various capacities, asking that they be strengthened in their service, guided by justice, compassion, and a spirit of selfless dedication.
After Fr. Law announced the plenary indulgence attached to today’s celebration and outlined the conditions for its reception, we proceeded to the second part of the event: the cathedraticum. At this stage, gifts and offerings are presented to the bishop as a sign of support for the mission of the diocese and in recognition of his pastoral leadership. It is both a spiritual and communal gesture, expressing unity with the bishop and contributing to the sustenance of the Church’s work in preaching the Gospel, administering the sacraments, and caring for the faithful.
Obienyem is a media aide to Peter Obi
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