For this year’s World Day of the Sick Mass, Christ Cathedral pews were filled with the faithful of all ages, some visibly struggling with illness, others suffering from maladies not outwardly visible, but all seeking to be blessed.
Bishop Kevin Vann presided over the Mass, which was celebrated on Feb. 10. About 1,200 were in attendance for the Anointing of the Sick and Laying on of Hands from Bishop Vann and other clergy.
BISHOP KEVIN VANN CELEBRATED THE WORLD DAY OF THE SICK MASS ON FEB. 10 AT CHRIST CATHEDRAL. PHOTOS BY IAN TRAN/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
“We are reminded of the profound importance of compassion in our lives, especially toward those who are facing illness and uncertainty,” said Bishop Vann. “Life is such that we can get hardened and indifferent, but this day reminds us not to be that way. In a world often marked by pain, uncertainty and hardness of heart, this day serves as a beacon of hope, calling us to embrace the virtue of compassion and to extend the healing touch of Christ to those who are burdened by illness and infirmity.”
Tania Rodriguez, who attends St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Fullerton, celebrated the World Day of the Sick Mass for the second year in row to receive healing for herself and to represent her friends and family who are also in need. She said the Anointing of Oils and Laying of Hands brought her “peace in knowing and trusting in God’s divine plan” for her life and those of her loved ones.”
THE WORLD DAY OF THE SICK, WHICH BEGAN IN 1993, WAS INTRODUCED BY ST. POPE JOHN PAUL II TO HONOR OUR LADY OF LOURDES. PHOTO BY IAN TRAN/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
Rodriguez said she hopes the Mass will strengthen others’ faith and that they will trust in God.
“Even if God doesn’t grant us the healing we need, He still loves us,” she added. “I feel like sometimes when we don’t receive the healing that we are seeking, then we lose faith. But if you don’t receive the healing, God is still working and still loves us.”
The World Day of the Sick, which began in 1993, was introduced by St. Pope John Paul II to honor Our Lady of Lourdes. It marks a “special time of prayer and sharing, of offering one’s suffering for the good of the Church and of reminding everyone to see in his sick brother or sister the face of Christ who, by suffering, dying and rising, achieved the salvation of mankind,” according to his according to his “Letter Instituting the World Day of the Sick” from 1992.
ABOUT 1,200 ATTENDED THE WORLD DAY OF THE SICK MASS CELEBRATED ON FEB. 10 AT CHRIST CATHEDRAL
Lourdes, France, was the location where the Virgin Mary was said to appear 18 times to Bernadette Soubirous in 1858. The location has since become a pilgrimage site for many; water collected from its grotto is believed to have healing powers.
Bishop Vann urged those in attendance to take time to read the book “The Song of Bernadette” by Franz Werfel or see the movie of the same name.
The Mass utilized water from the miraculous spring in Lourdes for the Sprinkling Rite, and 1-ounce bottles were handed out to anyone in need. The water was personally collected by members of the Order of Malta last spring, said Pamela Dow, president of the Order of Malta’s Orange Location.
“The water used to be easy to get, it could be mailed, but no longer,” she said.
According to Dow, the Order of Malta personally collect the water and bring it back in “three suitcases.”
THE WORLD DAY OF THE SICK MASS UTILIZES WATER COLLECTED FROM LOURDES BY MEMBERS OF THE ORDER OF MALTA.
“It’s directly from the spring, the taps there where people take the water hoping for a cure,” she added.
The Order of Malta is a 900-yearold lay religious order of the Catholic Church with a mission to care for the sick and the poor and has locations in 120 countries. Members, who are called Dames and Knights, must be invited to join, take an oath, volunteer within their own communities and must make a pilgrimage to Lourdes at least once.
“They look for people who are dedicated to serving the poor and sick, and are very Catholic,” said Dow. “Our whole role is to care for the sick, the poor and to defend the faith.”
The Order of Malta Orange Location, which serves Orange County, supports local service organizations, such as Serra’s Pantry at Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano, which provides food to those in need, and Taller San Jose, which offers paid training in various career fields.
The Order of Malta members lead a pilgrimage to Lourdes for those suffering from illness and their caregivers to drink water from the grotto. Although members are called to make the pilgrimage at least once, many go back every year, said Dow, who herself goes annually.
“You think you are going to have people that are sad on the way back, that they didn’t get a spontaneous cure, but I have to tell you, it’s the most joyful trip back you could ever imagine,” Dow said. “Everybody is changed. It’s unbelievable and there is no way to describe it unless you go with a Malta group.”
To learn more about the Order of Malta, visit https://orderofmaltawestern.us/western-association-usa/