THE DIOCESE CAME TOGETHER recently to attend the World Day of the Sick Mass at Christ Cathedral. About 1,600 worshippers from across Orange County joined Catholics around the globe to solemnly observe the 34th World Day of the Sick.
The World Day of the Sick is observed annually on Feb. 11, coinciding with the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes. Pope John Paul II instituted the day in 1992, as 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.”
The Mass was celebrated at Christ Cathedral on Feb. 14.
THE WORLD DAY OF THE SICK MASS WAS CELEBRATED ON FEB. 14 AT CHRIST CATHEDRAL. PHOTO BY EVERETT JOHNSON/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
For 2026, Pope Leo XIV selected the theme of “The compassion of the Samaritan: loving by bearing the pain of the other,” emphasizing social charity and love for one’s neighbor.
After a morning Rosary, Bishop Timothy Freyer presided over theMass, which included the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. In line with this year’s theme, the bishop’s homily described the Lord as the divine Good Samaritan who draws near to a wounded earth.
“This year we reflect on the parable of the Good Samaritan and pray as well for all those who care for the sick, family members, friends, caregivers, nurses and doctors,” said Bishop Freyer. “Their kindness, generosity and patience are a great gift to those who are sick and show us how to be a neighbor to those in need.”
Bishop Freyer continued, “This great sacrament allows the Lord to heal us; sometimes physically, as I have seen miraculous healings, many times emotionally and always spiritually. He has healed divisions in families through this sacrament. Family members who had not spoken to each other for years or decades were able to forgive one another. He has given people who were afraid of the dying process peace and courage, knowing that death allows them to be with the Lord in Paradise.”
Parishioner Claudia Carrillo shared her story of healing at the World Day of the Sick Mass.
“I was here last year, and I received healing, because I was going through a spiritual battle. I was afflicted for more than 25 years in a difficult marriage, and God gave us the grace of this miracle. And so last year, when I came, I felt like this big weight was lifted off my back, and I know that it was my Lord and my blessed mother from Lourdes.”
The World Day of the Sick Mass is sponsored annually by the the Orange County branch of the lay religious order, the Order of Malta, which is dedicated to humanitarian service and medical care. The Order of Malta is the second oldest religious order in the world, with 13,500 members in over 120 countries. In Orange County, there are more than 80 Knights and Dames of the Order who serve on the diocesan level, serving with local charities such as Serra’s Pantry and St. Norbert’s Food Bank. The Order plays a key role in organizing the Mass.
“Our charism is to take care of the sick and the poor,” explained Pamela Dow, the region leader for the Order of Malta in Orange County. “We’re almost 1,000 years old; we were the first ones to have hospitals before the Crusades. We continue that work today.”
In addition to their sponsorship, the Knights and Dames coordinate with the diocese, collect petitions for healing, support the priests in the anointing of the sick and give away vials of holy water from the miraculous spring in Lourdes, France, which they collect during their annual pilgrimage.
Every year during the first week of May, the order brings Catholics from across the Western Association of the Order of Malta who are experiencing serious illness to Lourdes. During this visit, the order delivers the petitions they collect and brings 150 pounds (or about 18 gallons) of water back home to distribute at the next World Day of the Sick Mass.
“We’re self-funding,” explained Dow. “We don’t have big galas. We provide the money to take the people to Lourdes. This is an order where we must roll up our sleeves and volunteer and serve every month.”
David Schinderle, a Knight of the Order of Malta expressed his gratitude for the high number of faithful in attendance at this year’s Mass.
“I’m really blown away by the number of people this year,” he said. “Every year it keeps getting bigger and bigger. We’re grateful that the parishes publish it in the bulletins so that more and more people can come and get the blessings of this special Mass and honor Our Lady of Lourdes.”
The observance has a significant impact on the local community.
“I wanted to come back today because I was so healed,” said Carrillo. “This year was different, but I still believe, and I have my faith. And I know our Mother of Lourdes and it’s wonderful.”