Inspired by the Love of Mary

The World Day of the Sick is an awareness day, or observance, in the Catholic Church intended for “prayer and sharing, of offering one’s suffering for the good of the Church and of reminding everyone to see in his sick brother or sister the face of Christ”. This was instituted by St. Pope John Paul II on May 13, 1992 who chose to celebrate it every February 11 for the solemnity of Our Lady of Lourdes where many pilgrims and visitors were said to have been healed at the Marian Sanctuary in Lourdes, France, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Every February 11, the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish invites the sick and the elderly people to come to church for anointing. Three (3) years after the pandemic, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish re-opened its door for the simple yet meaningful celebration of the feast of the patron saint.

The Pontifical Mass officiated by Most Rev. Romulo G. Valles, DD was held at 9:30 in the morning, and the church was full-packed with hundreds of sick and elderly people. Four (4) other priests, including OLLP Parish Priest, Fr. Henry R. Campeon and Fr. Fernando Ingente, SM, and two other visiting priests assisted the archbishop for the anointing of the sick and the elderly. Some doctors, nurses and other health workers also attended the mass. It was an offering of thanksgiving for the health workers for their love and dedication to the sick.

After the mass, the people gathered at the open space where tents were installed for the community lunch. There was abundance of food prepared by the GKKs per district. The PSL Band serenaded the parishioners and visitors with their rendition of classic songs.

Four (4) seminarians from the Regional Major Seminary, assigned in different GKKs in the parish, graced the show with their talent in hosting and dancing. Members of the different apostolates/ministries of the parish: Pangulo sa Panudlo, Pangulo sa Katilingban, Pangulo sa Alagad, OLLP Senior Citizens, SoCCom, LCCP, GKK Finance Committee, and Youth Apostolate showed their prowess in dancing. Everyone did their greatest performance as a way of thanking the Our Lady of Lourdes for her overflowing love to the parishioners.

Parish Lay Coordinator Nestor Fruto in his opening remarks, and Araceli Cabudlan with her message, inspired the parishioners to work hand-in-hand to spread the love of God and of Mama Mary to everyone. Fr. Henry Campeon, in his closing remarks, thanked the parishioners, especially the GKK Servant Leaders for their unending love and support to the parish in its aim of evangelizing more people. (Rowena Baldoza Villaflor, SoCCom)