The Order of Malta, Northern Virginia Region, hosted a special Mass and Anointing of the Sick at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington March 15.
The Mass was celebrated by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge and concelebrants included 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; and Father Alexander R. Drummond, pastor of St. Michael Church in Annandale and a magistral chaplain for the order.
Members of the order’s Northern Virginia region encouraged all Catholics who may be sick in body, mind or spirit to attend the Mass. Hosting this Mass is a major work of the Order of Malta in the Northern Virginia Region, where the members bring the Lourdes Pilgrimage experience to the faithful of Arlington who could not otherwise travel overseas.
In his homily, Bishop Burbidge thanked the faithful presenting themselves for anointing as an act of humility and self-sacrifice.
“This reflects your conviction that the Lord is with us, especially in our time of need and your deep faith in his power to make all things new in accordance with his holy will,” Bishop Burbidge said. “In faith, we profess his saving power that will allow you to leave here a new person, consoled, strengthened, and renewed in his love, a love more powerful than any burden or cross we carry.”
Bishop Burbidge reminded the faithful that in these perilous times, their suffering has tremendous redemptive power for the entire world.
To help identify those in need of sacramental anointing during the Mass, members of the order distributed special Miraculous Medals on blue ribbons. Children under age 7 and those who have not yet made their first confession received Four-Way Medals on red ribbons so they may receive a special blessing. At the conclusion of the Mass, attendees were given a small bottle of holy water from Lourdes and a prayer card. They were also invited to submit online or written prayer intentions, which members of the order will place in the grotto in France this May.
Find out more
For more info on the Order of Malta in the Arlington diocese, go to orderofmaltafederal.org or contact Kevin Fischer at [email protected] or 703-475-2906.
