Receiving and Living the Life of Christ (Chrism Mass)

The Rich and Enduring Symbols of Easter

Bishop Steven J. Lopes preached this homily at the 2026 Easter Vigil held at the Ordinariate's cathedral church, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Walsingham in Houston, Texas.

Receiving and Living the Life of Christ (Chrism Mass)

Bishop Steven J. Lopes preached at the Ordinariate's 2026 Chrism Mass, celebrated at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Walsingham in Houston, Texas. -- At a Chrism Mass, a bishop consecrates the Sacred Chrism used for Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders. He also blesses the Oil of Catechumens (for those preparing for Baptism) and the Oil of the Sick. Ancient Christian writings suggest the consecration of sacramental oil has been a regular church practice since at least 200 AD.

Advent: Christ in History, Mystery, and Glory

Bishop Steven J. Lopes spoke on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 (the First Sunday of Advent), at Church of the Most Precious Blood in London, England. The Ordinariate and Parish Church of the Most Precious Blood is in the Archdiocese of Southwark and was placed under the care of the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham in 2013.

St. John Henry Newman, Doctor of the Universal Church

Bishop Steven Lopes of the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter joined host Andrew Petiprin on an episode of the Ignatius Press Podcast to discuss the upcoming recognition of St. John Henry Newman (1801-1890) as a Doctor of the Universal Church. This Ordinariate Audio presentation features excerpts from that September 2025 podcast. John Henry Newman entered the Catholic Church in 1845 after serving as a priest and theologian in the Anglican Church in England. He is only the 38th person to be declared a Doctor of the Church. Newman's written works include "An Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine" (1845), "Apologia Pro Vita Sua" (1864), and "An Essay in Aid of a Grammar of Assent" (1870). In the 1830s, Newman became associated with the Oxford Movement, which promoted the renewal of catholic thought and practice within the Church of England. Podcast host Andrew Petiprin holds an M.Div. from Yale University and an M.Phil from Oxford University. He served as a priest and administrator in The Episcopal Church (USA) before coming into full communion with the Catholic Church in 2019. -- Note: The complete version of this Ignatius Press Podcast, nearly an hour long, includes remarks by Dr. Jennifer Martin, professor of theology at the University of Notre Dame. However, for this Ordinariate Audio version, we are presenting only the comments of Bishop Lopes, since he touched on several topics related to Ordinariate clergy and church communities. Brief music interludes indicate where content from the longer-form version of the podcast has been removed. For the unedited version of the podcast, released on Sept. 8, 2025, visit https://podcast.ignatius.com/e/saint-john-henry-newman-a-protestant-to-a-doctor-of-the-catholic-church-w-bishop-lopes-and-dr-jennifer-martin/ [https://podcast.ignatius.com/e/saint-john-henry-newman-a-protestant-to-a-doctor-of-the-catholic-church-w-bishop-lopes-and-dr-jennifer-martin/].

Beyond Our Expectations and Desires

Bishop Steven J. Lopes preached on Luke 14 and Wisdom 9 at Christ the King Catholic Church in Towson, Md.