The Chrism Mass and Priesthood Day 2025 were celebrated on Thursday by the Diocese of Kohima under the leadership of Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, the Bishop of Kohima.

According to an update, this significant event, which is usually held at Mary Help of Christians Cathedral, the mother church of Nagaland, was hosted for the first time by St. Joseph Catholic Church, Viswema.

As per the Catholic tradition, two important events take place during the Chrism Mass: the preparation and blessing of the oils, where the bishop blesses three urns of oil, namely the oil of the catechumens, oil of chrism, and oil of the sick; and the renewal of promises by the priests.

On the occasion, Bishop James said that the annual Chrism Mass provides priests with a unique opportunity for priestly renewal and added that the Chrism Mass reminds the priest of his oneness in Christ through the Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Orders and the unity he shares with his bishop and the presbyterate.

Later, after the Holy Mass, the laity associations of the Catholic Association of Nagaland (CAN), the Nagaland Catholic Women Association (NCWA), and the Nagaland Catholic Youth Movement (NCYM), along with the Viswema Catholic Community, organised a short felicitation programme for the priest attendees.

The Holy Chrism Mass 2025 was attended by a presbyterate of 138 priests, along with religious nuns from different congregations, laity leaders of CAN, NCWA, and NCYM, as well as all the church leaders and young juniors from the neighbouring villages, totalling around 1,500 attendees in the church.