Order of Malta Starts 2018 with Traditional Mass of the Holy Spirit
The Order of Malta Philippines held its traditional Mass of the Holy Spirit last January 13, 2018 at the Office of Malta office compound in Quiapo, Manila. The Mass of the Holy Spirit was first celebrated in 2013 upon instructions of His Eminence Luis Antonio Tagle. Cardinal Tagle suggested that before the celebration of the World Day of the Sick, the Order should celebrate a Mass of the Holy Spirit for the intention of the participating healthcare givers in the healing Mass held every February 11, feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.
In his homily, the main celebrant, Fr. Genaro Diwa, conventual chaplain ad honorem of the Order, reflected on what should be the correct disposition of a worker of mercy from the day’s Gospel about the calling of Levi, the tax collector.
“Like Levi, we must have the humility to see that we need a place in the table of the Lord because no matter how rich we are, no matter how beautiful or noble our projects are, we still are in need of the Lord’s mercy. If we believe that we are already righteous, then like the Pharisees, we will not find our place in the table of the Lord,” shared Fr. Diwa.
It has also been a practice by the Philippine Association of the Order to recognize its many partners after the Mass of the Holy Spirit. Last Jan. 13, the Order recognized Drs. Lurialdo and Floresita Pareja of the St. Anthony Parish, San Agustin Parish, SM Foundation, St. Martins Foundation and Outreach Center, Sisters of the Angels Institution, the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association Cares Foundation and three hospitals namely the San Martin de Porres Charity Hospital, the San Lazaro Hospital and San Juan de Dios Hospital, Inc.
