Order of Malta Holds 26th World Day of the Sick
The Order of Malta Philippines, in cooperation with the Archdiocese of Manila, commemorated last Feb. 10, 2018 the 26th World Day of the Sick. It was Saint Pope John Paul II who designated February 11 of every year as a special time of prayer and sharing, of offering one’s suffering for the good of the Church and of reminding us to see in our sick brother and sister the face of Christ who, by suffering, dying and rising, achieved the salvation of humankind. The late Pontiff chose February 11 in honor of the first apparition of the Blessed Virgin at Lourdes, France. Many of the devotees and pilgrims of Lourdes profess to have been healed through the intercession of the Our Lady of Lourdes.
Conventual chaplain ad honorem Rev. Msgr. Esteban Lo was the main celebrant for the Mass which was held at the Manila Metropolitan Cathedral. He was assisted by twenty-two priests coming from various parishes of the Archdiocese of Manila. The special feature of the Mass included an Anointing of the Sick where priests, assisted by members of the Order of Malta, approached the attendees to put a blessed oil as a sign of God’s comfort and forgiveness.
In his homily, Fr. Bong Lo sought to uplift the spirit of the attendees by reminding them that Christ is always with them.
“During times of strength and weaknesses, in our sickness or health, Christ is with us. When we recognize that He is at our side, our burden becomes light because He shares the weight of our crosses,” shared Fr. Lo
Fr. Lo also addressed those who attended the mass as volunteers by echoing the message of Pope Francis, “Reflect on the message of Christ on the cross when He entrusted his mother to his beloved disciple and vice versa. It is a command to care for one another,” added Fr. Lo
A total of 881 persons with infirmities and disabilities attended the Mass. They were brought to the venue by different parishes as well as NGOs, religious orders and organizations, and charity hospitals. After the Mass, food was provided for all patients, volunteers, partners and other mass attendees. The meals were shouldered by the Order of Malta Philippines through the help of Lever Corporation and Horizon Realty Corporation.
A total of 881 persons with infirmities and disabilities attended the Mass. They were brought to the venue by different parishes as well as NGOs, religious orders and organizations, and charity hospitals. After the Mass, food was provided for all patients, volunteers, partners and other mass attendees. The meals were shouldered by the Order of Malta Philippines through the help of Lever Corporation and Horizon Realty Corporation.Even before the declaration of Saint Pope John Paull II, the Order of Malta Philippines used to hold an annual Mass for the Sick held at different parishes in Metro Manila. These special Masses and acts of service to the sick are in line with the Order’s mission of “Tuitio Fidei et Obsequium Pauperum” which means nurturing, witnessing and protecting the faith (tuitio fidei) and serving the poor and the sick (obsequium pauperum).
