The sacrament of anointing of the sick is often associated with hospitals or those on their deathbeds. But the Order of Malta is hoping to change that misconception by extending the sacrament to the masses — at Mass.
The order’s annual Mass for Anointing of the Sick gives Catholics who may be sick in body, mind or spirit the opportunity to receive the sacrament.
The Order of Malta is the fourth-oldest religious order in the Catholic Church, founded in 1113. Its charism is to defend the Catholic faith and tend to the poor and sick. With its hospitaller roots, many of its members are doctors and nurses.
The March 23 Mass was celebrated by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington. Concelebrants included Bishop Emeritus Paul S. Loverde; Father Nicholas R. Barnes, parochial vicar at the cathedral; Father Andrew J. Fisher, pastor of St. Ambrose Church in Annandale and a magistral chaplain for the order; Father Joseph M. Rampino, in residence at Blessed Sacrament Church in Alexandria; Father Alexander R. Drummond, pastor of St. Michael Church in Annandale and a magistral chaplain for the order; and Msgr. John C. Cregan, former pastor of Blessed Sacrament.
Members of the order’s Northern Virginia region greeted more than 200 Massgoers, offering each a miraculous medal. Many of the order’s members wore traditional black service uniforms with a white cross, the order’s emblem. The dames of the order wore white veils. Others wore a simple red armband with the order’s emblem.
In his homily, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge reminded the faithful to emulate the example of Pope Francis, who had been discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital that morning after a 38-day stay for bilateral pneumonia.
“Pope Francis provided a wonderful, inspiring example for all of us, especially those who are sick and suffering,” Bishop Burbidge said. “Throughout the stay in the hospital, he remained positive and upbeat, experiencing and celebrating the nearness of the Lord. He did so without grumbling or complaining.
“My brothers and sisters,” he added, “what a great opportunity it is for us today to avoid any sort of complaining, but instead to express thanksgiving for the goodness and nearness of the Lord.”
Following the homily, Bishop Burbidge and Fathers Barnes, Rampino and Fisher laid their hands on the head of each person to be anointed. Bishop Burbidge then offered a prayer of thanksgiving over small dishes containing the oil of the sick. With the three priests, he anointed the foreheads and palms of those receiving the sacrament.
Bishop Burbidge and the priests returned to the altar, and Bishop Burbidge offered a prayer: “Father in heaven, through this holy anointing, grant our brothers and sisters comfort in their suffering.”
The order’s charism was put on display when altar server Brian Fletcher grew dizzy on the altar and suddenly sat down during the Profession of Faith. Two of the order’s doctors ran to attend to Fletcher as Bishop Burbidge led the congregation in three Hail Mary’s for his recovery. After a brief break, Fletcher returned to serve the remainder of the Mass.
“I’m glad it happened with all the doctors and nurses out there, at least,” Fletcher told Bishop Burbidge after Mass.
Following Mass, the order’s members handed out bottles of water from the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in France, the pilgrimage site known for the Marian apparition to St. Bernadette and countless healings. The order’s members also distributed prayer request forms. Massgoers were encouraged to pen their prayer requests and mail them to the order. Regional Hospitaller Col. Kevin Fischer said that the order will take the prayer requests to Lourdes during their pilgrimage in early May.
The Mass “really sets the stage beautifully for what happens in Lourdes, France, with thousands of people coming there for the anointing,” Fischer said. “We in the order know that while there are people who are physically sick or mentally sick or spiritually sick — they are malades — but we are in truth all malades. We all struggle with those conditions.”
Col. Lorraine Breen, chair of the order’s regional spirituality committee, said that the order’s work extends far beyond the annual Mass. She said they frequently conduct outreach to local nursing homes and assisted care facilities and offer Catholics the opportunity to travel to Lourdes on pilgrimage. “We all need to be healed in one way or another,” she said.
Ted Zagrobelny of the order’s regional communications committee said he hopes the Mass will help educate Catholics on the oft-forgotten sacrament. “I think sometimes people forget about the sacrament of the anointing of the sick,” he said. “It’s really nice to see people come and just to see the hope in their eyes.”
This article has been updated.
