Chrism Eucharist 2025

A special service on Thursday 17 April, led by the Bishop of Gloucester, the Rt Revd Rachel Treweek, which included the blessing of holy oils.

Around 400 clergy and lay ministers will came together for the Maundy Thursday service, where they processed through the Cathedral. They then renewed their vows of ministry. This service was live streamed from the Diocese of Gloucester’s YouTube channel.

The name ‘Maundy’ comes from the Latin ‘mandatum’ meaning ‘commandment’. Christians remember Jesus giving his disciples the command to love one another just as he loved them, at the Last Supper. It is for this reason that this day is chosen for clergy and lay ministers to renew their vows.

Photos from the service:

Gloucester Cathedral Eastern Lady Chapel - clergy robing ahead of the Chrism service

Clergy and Lay Ministers outside the West door of Gloucester Cathedral

Congregation faces towards the reading of the Gospel in the centre of the nave of Gloucester Cathedral

The Revd Jo Pestell and The Revd Ann Sargent

Archdeacons Hilary Dawson and Katrina Scott

Clergy lining up for a photo, outside Gloucester Cathedral after the service

Clergy receiving instructions ahead of the Chrism Service in the south transept of Gloucester Cathedral

Queues of clergy making their way into the Chrism service at Gloucester Cathedral

Bishop Rachel offering the Peace during the Chrism service

Hundreds of clergy and Lay leaders process into the Nave of Gloucester Cathedral at the start of the 2025 Chrism Eucharist

Bishop Rachel gives the sermon during the Chrism Eucharist at Gloucester Cathedral

Bishop Rachel gives the sermon during the Chrism Eucharist

One of the readings during the Chrism Eucharist

Bishop Rachel Treweek and Chaplain Jason Taylor

Cathedral Stewards in silhouette inside the South entrance to Gloucester Cathedral

Bishop Rachel welcomes the congregation into the Cathedral

Clergy processing into the Nave of Gloucester Cathedral

Clergy and Lay Ministers robing in the Eastern Lady Chapel ahead of the south transept

Clergy and Lay Ministers robing in the Eastern Lady Chapel ahead of the Chrism Eucharist

Clergy robing in the Eastern Lady Chapel ahead of the Chrism Eucharist

Clergy outside Gloucester Cathedral after the Chrism service, 2025

A lone clergy person pictured in the south nave of Gloucester Cathedral

Senior clergy respond with the renewal of vows, led by a chorister

Clergy talking in south transept ahead of Chrism Eucharist

The Revd Cate Williams in Gloucester Cathedral

Jason Taylor Bishops Chaplain standing in Gloucester Cathedral outside the Eastern Lady Chapel

The service, called the Chrism Eucharist, includes the blessing of holy oils used in well-known church ceremonies. These are: Chrism Oil, which is used at ordination and confirmation services; Catechumens Oil, used at baptisms; and Oil of Healing, which is used when ministering to the sick and dying. The clergy take the blessed oils back to their parishes for use throughout the next year.

Christians remember the Thursday before Easter Sunday, or Maundy Thursday, for the Last Supper that Jesus and his disciples shared on the night before he was crucified. During this meal, he washed their feet and also gave them bread and wine, an act that established the service now known as the Eucharist. On the night of Maundy Thursday, he was also betrayed by Judas in the Garden of Gethsemane, as he was handed over to the authorities, who put him to death on Good Friday.

You can watch the service below.