London: Mass for Sick to be held at Westminster Cathedral

Westminster Cathedral

The Annual Mass in honour of Our Lady of Lourdes will take place at Westminster Cathedral on Saturday 9 February 2013 at 2pm. The Mass will incorporate the Sacrament of the Sick which will be administered by the bishops and priests. Mass will be celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster, Alan Hopes.

Everyone is welcome to attend. If you will be attending in a wheelchair, please let your parish priest know so that he can notify the Cathedral to reserve space.

Hospital Chaplains and those who work in health care will also be present at the Mass. They will be joined by our Diocesan Pilgrims and all who have a devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes.

In his message for the 21st World Day of Prayer for the Sick, Pope Benedict XVI said: "I would like to propose for your reflection the exemplary figure of the Good Samaritan (cf. Lk 10:25-37). The Gospel parable recounted by Saint Luke is part of a series of scenes and events taken from daily life by which Jesus helps us to understand the deep love of God for every human being, especially those afflicted by sickness or pain. With the concluding words of the parable of the Good Samaritan, “Go and do likewise” (Lk 10:37), the Lord also indicates the attitude that each of his disciples should have towards others, especially those in need. We need to draw from the infinite love of God, through an intense relationship with him in prayer, the strength to live day by day with concrete concern, like that of the Good Samaritan, for those suffering in body and spirit who ask for our help, whether or not we know them and however poor they may be. This is true, not only for pastoral or health care workers, but for everyone, even for the sick themselves, who can experience this condition from a perspective of faith: “It is not by sidestepping or fleeing from suffering that we are healed, but rather by our capacity for accepting it, maturing through it and finding meaning through union with Christ, who suffered with infinite love” (Spe Salvi, 37)

Source: Archbishops House