Clergy and licensed lay ministers from across the Diocese of Chelmsford gathered at Chelmsford Cathedral this morning (Thursday 2 April 2026) for the annual Chrism Eucharist, which included the Renewal of Commitment to Ministry and the Blessing of the Holy Oils.
The service, traditionally held during Holy Week, is a significant diocesan gathering where ordained priests, deacons, and lay ministers reaffirm the vows they made at their ordination or licensing. It also features the solemn blessing and distribution of the three holy oils — the Oil of Catechumens, the Oil of the Sick, and the Sacred Chrism — which will be used in parishes throughout the coming year for baptisms, confirmations, healing, and other sacraments.
The Bishop of Chelmsford presided over the Eucharist, with ministers from across Essex and East London coming together in a powerful act of unity and recommitment to their shared vocation in the Church of England.
This annual event serves as a spiritual highlight in the diocesan calendar, strengthening the bonds between the cathedral, the bishop, and the wider ministry teams serving diverse communities from rural Essex to urban East London.