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WORLD DAY OF SICK MASS

Bishop Vann to anoint sick and bless caregivers

By Staff     2/2/2018

The Most Rev. Kevin W. Vann, Bishop of Orange, will anoint ill patients with holy oil and bless the hands of caregivers with holy water brought from the consecrated grotto of Massabielle in Lourdes, France on Feb. 10 at a 10:00 a.m. Mass at St. Columban Church in Garden Grove. The grotto from which the water was obtained is the site of 18 appearances of Mary, the mother Jesus, to St. Bernadette Soubirous in 1858 and is well known for the divine healing power of its waters, known as “Lourdes Water.” The Orange Chapter of the Order of Malta, the ancient Catholic religious order founded in 1050 AD will host this annual event.  

“Caring for the sick and infirmed is the ministry we are all called to as Christians. As a society, many of the dedicated people who care for the most vulnerable are not given the appreciation their service merits. I value the important commitment of caregivers to their ministry and look forward to blessing them with the healing water of Lourdes. I will also anoint several critically ill patients and pray for their spiritual and physical strength,” said Bishop Vann.  

An ordained priest administers the anointing of the sick by the anointing of the body with holy oil. This rite is one of the seven sacred sacraments.