Every year, Knights and Dames from the Order of Malta’s Los Angeles Location travel from all over the world to Lourdes, France on a pilgrimage to serve the sick. And each year, they return home with Holy Water from the Grotto to distribute to the sick of the archdiocese of L.A. at the World Day of the Sick Mass.

While COVID-19 did prevent the Order of Malta’s Los Angeles Location from making its annual pilgrimage to Lourdes in 2020, it did not prevent this year’s World Day of the Sick Mass, which was celebrated at the Cathedral of the Angels by Archbishop Gomez. For the well-being and safety of the sick population in L.A., this year’s Mass was unable to have the sick physically present in the parish. Otherwise, the Mass remained open to anyone in need of healing and peace who wished and was physically able to attend. Knights and Dames of the Order were present at the Mass to give out Holy Water from Lourdes and prayer cards to attendees.

The Order of Malta in L.A. sees the World Day of the Sick Mass as an annual opportunity to bring Our Lady of Lourdes to their community. Knowing that all God’s children have need for healing, the Order of Malta in L.A. is thankful for this year’s opportunity to pray together and celebrate mass on the World Day of the Sick, especially during the pandemic.

We must always remember that even when we can’t be physically present to each other, we can be still spiritually present. If you would like to learn more about this year’s World Day of the Sick Mass, please watch our video.