January 24, 2009
World Day of the Sick Mass offered at Cathedral
By Herald staff
Bishop
Jaime Soto will administer the sacrament of the sick during a Mass hosted
by the Order of Malta on Saturday, Feb. 14 at 10 a.m. in the Cathedral
of the Blessed Sacramnt in downtown Sacramento. Herald file photo
The Diocese of Sacramento and the Order of Malta in the diocese will host a World Day of the Sick Mass on Saturday, Feb. 14 at 10 a.m. in the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in downtown Sacramento.
All those suffering from a serious acute or chronic illness, such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, chemical dependency, or emotional/mental problems and their caregivers are invited to participate.
During the Mass, which honors Our Lady of Lourdes, the sacrament of the sick will be administered.
Bishop Jaime Soto will preside at the service, which will include the Liturgy of the Word, the anointing of the sick, blessing of caregivers, Communion, and blessing with waters from the Grotto of Lourdes.
The Cathedral Choir will provide music for the healing Mass.
Pope John Paul II created World Day of the Sick in February 1993 and the observance falls on the memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes.
The Sacramento location of the Order of Malta “looks forward to bringing this opportunity to many people in the Sacramento Diocese,” said E. Chase Israelson, president of the Sacramento location.
The Order of Malta provides medical and social care and humanitarian aid in more than 110 countries around the world and has a long history with Lourdes, according to Israelson.
Each year, the Order of Malta, in fulfilling its mission to serve the sick and the poor, sponsors a worldwide pilgrimage to Lourdes, France. Last year, the Western Association of the Order had 330 participants including knights, dames, volunteers and malades (the French word for a sick person), Israelson said. About 24 were participants from the Sacramento location.
The participants are in Lourdes for a week, visiting the shrine, the grotto and the baths, and participating in a Marian candlelight procession, daily Mass and other activities, he said.
“While documented physical cures are rare, the spiritual enrichment that contributes to spiritual, mental and physical health is rewarding to all who participate,” Israelson said.
The Sacramento location has 21 participating members, he said, and members give financial and volunteer support to the Bishop Gallegos Maternity Home, the Moral Values Program for Children and Wellspring Women’s Center in Sacramento, and participate in “Sharing the Lord’s Bounty” at St. Ignatius Parish in Sacramento.
Last year these programs received $48,000 in grants from the Sacramento location, Israelson said.
