Smell Your Hand!

My very excited 11 year old came up with that line in the car on the way home from the Chrism Mass in Spicer tonight. I could hardly believe the ball of energy chattering in the back seat was the same child who told me I would have to help him stay awake during the extra long Mass just two hours earlier. Shaking hands with the Bishop must have had quite the effect on him.

Tonight was the Mass where all of the holy oils to be used in the diocese for the upcoming year were blessed. We caravaned the hour and a half drive with some other members of our parish. The boys were barely sitting down when Father Jerry, our longtime pastor and the man who oversaw our return to the Church, came and sat with them for a couple of minutes. He ruffled hair and asked about school. He even made a suggestion about a future award they should work toward in Boy Scouts before he went back to put on his vestments.

All of the priests the boys knew from our diocese were there. Christian pointed out Father Brian, who had married Dave and me. Carter saw Father Jeremy, who was here when he received his First Communion. Christian had a chance to speak with Father Sam, of the daily Hail Mary fame. He was also able to speak to our own Father Paul and his assistant faith formation teacher from last year, who is now a seminary student.

The capper of the evening, however, was the Bishop. He is new to our diocese and this was his first Chrism Mass with us. Bishop LeVoir has a different approach than Archbishop Nienstedt, but it was still a beautiful and faith-filled event.

After the Mass was over, Carter went to the gathering area, firmly intent on finding Father Jeremy. Once he had a chance to say hello to him, the boy was on a mission. He was going to shake the Bishop's hand. He is small for his age and easily disappeated into the throng of people gathered around enjoying juice and cookies. It took just a moment before he was back for his brother. He had found the bishop by the doors and had been able to shake his hand. Now, he wanted the rest of us to have the opportunity.

We greeted Bishop LeVoir and said our good byes to the people we only see at the Chrism Mass each year. Of course, the biggest topic of conversation in the first few minutes was the chance to shake Bishop LeVoir's hand. Dave mentioned how he could smell the Chrism Oil and it must have rubbed off when he shook hands. Christian seemed a little confused, but Carter knew exactly what Dave meant. He closed his eyes as he held his right hand up near his nose. He took a deep breath and said "MMMMMMMMMMM". Christian was still a little confused and Carter said "Smell your hand, the one you used to shake hands with the Bishop!"

That was all it took. Christian figured it out. I have to say, the smell of Chrism is one of my favorite smells of all time. I am not sure how many times I have smelled my hand, the one I used to shake hands with the Bishop since we left Spicer, but it has brought a smile to my face each and every time.