On the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord March 25, nearly 300 people gathered at St. Michael Church in Annandale for the annual Mass for the Order of Malta and Anointing of the Sick, sponsored by the order’s Northern Virginia Region.
Bishop Michael F. Burbidge was the celebrant and homilist. Individuals from many parts of the diocese came to pray for comfort and healing, and to receive the sacramental Anointing. More than 20 Dames, Knights and volunteers from across the region came in uniform to serve “our lords, the poor and the sick” in the tradition of Masses in Lourdes, France.
Bishop Emeritus Paul S. Loverde, conventual chaplain ad honorem, assisted at the Mass on the day marking his anniversary of installation as the third bishop of Arlington in 1999. Magistral Chaplains Father Alexander Drummond, pastor of St. Michael, and Father Andrew Fisher, pastor of St. Ambrose Church in Annandale, assisted in the liturgy. Father Joseph Rampino, parochial vicar of St. Ambrose, and Father Michael Weston, diocesan director of divine worship, also joined in administering sacramental anointing to everyone wearing large blue-and-silver Miraculous Medals, distributed by the order members prior to Mass.
Bishop Burbidge commended the malades for offering their pain and suffering for the sake of the church and for their faithful witness as they unite themselves to the Lord and His Cross. He thanked the order for its good work in the diocese.
The malades were given Lourdes water and invited to submit prayer petitions that will be taken to the Lourdes Grotto when the order makes its annual pilgrimage in May. Written acknowledgement from the grotto will be sent to the petitioners.
Regional Hospitaller Kevin Fischer expressed his gratitude for the ongoing work of the members in the region. Former Regional Hospitaller and Federal Association Board Member Laura Mead pointed out that this is one of their important works, and the only one that brings the Lourdes experience to people who cannot travel there. She appreciated the witness of malades and their companions, who also carry heavy crosses. “It’s important in these times to turn to the sacraments and to continue to trust that Our Lord will always care for us — our physical needs, our spiritual needs and any other needs that we have.”
