Since it was introduced by Pope John Paul II, World Day of the Sick has provided an annual opportunity for believers to offer prayers for those suffering from physical, mental, and emotional illnesses and their caregivers.

In keeping with the Order of Malta’s charism of care for the sick, a number of different locations within the Order of Malta Western Association have hosted special events celebrating World Day of the Sick!

Boise

For this year’s World Day of the Sick, the Order of Malta’s Boise Location hosted a special Mass and Anointing of the Sick at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Boise on February 12th, the day after the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Mass was celebrated by Fr. Mariusz Majewski, the Cathedral rector as well as the Provisional Chaplain for the Order of Malta Western Association, alongside Fr. Caleb Vogel, Fr. John Worster, and Fr. Emmanuel Chinedu.

After the Mass, attendees received blessed vials of Holy Water from the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in France.

Colorado

The Order of Malta’s Rocky Mountain Location was blessed to host two special Masses and Anointings of the Sick for this year’s World Day of the Sick: one in Colorado Springs at Holy Apostles Catholic Church on Saturday, February 12th and another in Denver at Holy Ghost Church on Sunday, February 13th.

Bishop Golka, assisted by Fr. Jim Baron and Fr. Chris Uhl, presided over the Mass in Colorado Springs, which was attended by nearly 350 people. The Mass in Denver was celebrated by Fr. Chris Uhl.

Phoenix

Nearly 500 worshippers, some with chronic physical and/or mental conditions, attended the World Day of the Sick Mass and Anointing of the Sick co-hosted by the Order of Malta’s Phoenix Location and Diocese of Phoenix this year.

Mass was celebrated at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Parish in Scottsdale and included a homily by Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted about finding God’s goodness in the midst of suffering.

For more information about the event:

500 attend Diocese’s Healing Mass ahead of World Day of the Sick

San Francisco

On February 12th, the Order of Malta’s San Francisco Location hosted its World Day of the Sick Mass and Anointing of the Sick at St. Brendan’s Parish. Mass was celebrated by Fr. Andrew Ginter, Chaplain of the Order of Malta, and was officiated jointly by Msgr. Steven Otellini, Principal Chaplain of the Western Association.

A special blessing was given to all caregivers in attendance.