Mass for the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes and the World Day of Prayer for the Sick
On Saturday 11th February - the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes and the World Day of Prayer for the Sick - Bishop Seamus and several priests from the diocese celebrated Mass at St Mary's Cathedral. Those who were sick, and those who take care of the sick, including doctors, nurses, health and care workers and past Lourdes pilgrims all came to joini in this mass, and the Cathedral was filled to overflowing.
In his homily Bishop Seamus said: "Lourdes, like any place of pilgrimage, is a place of healing - above all inner healing and peace - the healing that comes through the Sacrament of Reconciliation and through the Sacrament of the Sick, and of people healng one another as they make space and time for each other as they lend that listening ear, realising that they are the healing Christ."
Bishop Seamus, spoke about the Pope's message for the World Day of the Sick, and how the importance of the Sacraments of Healing are emphasised in this message. "In their encounter with Christ in this sacrament the sick can truly experience that he or she who believes is never alone. God does not abandon us but is near to us."
Throughout the Mass Inspiring music was provided by the diocesan choir, and there was an opportunity to receive the Sacrament of the Sick.
Everyone came away feeling renewed, uplifted and refreshed.
Listen to homily (click on arrow):
Message from Pope Benedict for the World Day of Prayer for the Sick:
"I wish to renew my spiritual closeness to all sick people, ... expressing to each one of them the solicitude and the affection of the whole Church. In the generous and loving welcoming of every human life, above all of weak and sick life, a Christian expresses an important aspect of his or her Gospel witness, following the example of Christ, Who bent down before the material and spiritual sufferings of man in order to heal them.
"I would like to place emphasis upon the 'Sacraments of healing', that is to say upon the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation and that of the Anointing of the Sick, which have their natural completion in Eucharistic Communion. The encounter of Jesus with the ten lepers, narrated by the Gospel of St. Luke, ... helps us to become aware of the importance of faith for those who, burdened by suffering and illness, draw near to the Lord. In their encounter with Him they can truly experience that he who believes is never alone! God, indeed, in His Son, does not abandon us to our anguish and sufferings, but is close to us, helps us to bear them, and wishes to heal us in the depths of our hearts...Read in full
Lourdes Diocesan Pilgrimage 2012 Information