NEW ULM - Bishop Chad Zielinski and the priests, deacons and faithful of the diocese gathered at the Church of St. Mary in New Ulm on March 26 for the annual Chrism Mass. During the Mass, Bishop Zielinski blessed the holy oils that will be used in parishes this year — the oil for the sick and the oil for catechumens — and consecrated the Sacred Chrism. Diocesan priests also renewed their priestly promises during this Mass.

In addition, Bishop Zielinski and Monsignor Eugene Lozinski, Chancellor of the diocese, signed a decree designating the Church of St. Mary as a diocesan shrine of Our Lady of the Prairie, the patron of the Diocese of New Ulm. Bishop Zielinski has also designated the new shrine as a permanent home for the sacred artwork of Our Lady of the Prairie that was introduced to the diocese last year.

The Mass was live-streamed and a recording is available on the Diocese of New Ulm website.