Anointing of the Sick

From the Desk of Fr. Tony Wroblewski
Pope Saint John Paul II was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease as early as 1991, and the illness was confirmed in 2001. Within one year of his diagnosis, he decided to create the World Day of Prayer for the Sick. He chose the memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes, February 11, to mark the day. I have had the privilege of going to the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes three times. It is a place where those who are sick are found in great numbers. There are so many memorial markers there, left by those who have had miraculous healings. It is no wonder that the pope chose this particular feast for a day of prayer for the sick. The World Day of Prayer for the Sick had special significance in 2005, as the ailing pope later died on April 2 of that year. Ironically, Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation on this day in 2013, and the reason given was his declining health.
People across the world now take time to pray for the sick and for their caretakers on this day. Healing being a major theme of Bishop Felton’s, he has asked all parishes to offer the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick on the weekend of February 10/11. Since we have in our parish a church whose patron is Our Lady of Lourdes, it seems most appropriate that we offer the sacrament there. On that weekend, we will have our regular Masses at all three of our parish churches. Then, after we have had time to finish the 10:30 a.m. Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes, we will prepare for the prayer and scripture service. This will give time for those who do not want to attend the service to leave the church, as well as time to allow those who are coming from other places (such as a previous Mass on the weekend) to find their places and prepare. Though I do hope that those who will not be anointed will still stay to pray for and support those who will be.
Finally, since the day will be a Feast Day of one of our churches, we will have a simple lunch together after the anointing service. I do hope you will attend this special day!