Bishop Vann to Lead Special Anointing and Blessing Service with Lourdes Water
Garden Grove, Calif., (January 26, 2018) – The Most Rev. Kevin W. Vann, Bishop of Orange, will lead a special service to 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.
This annual event, hosted by the Orange Chapter of the Order of Malta, is a powerful ministry to the sick and those who care for them.
Event Details
- What: Anointing of the sick and blessing of caregivers.
- When: Saturday, February 10, 2018, at 10:00 a.m.
- Where: St. Columban Church in Garden Grove.
- Hosted by: The Orange Chapter of the Order of Malta.
A Special Blessing with Lourdes Water
The holy water used in the blessing comes from the grotto in Lourdes, France, the site where Mary, the mother of Jesus, appeared to St. Bernadette Soubirous 18 times in 1858. The water from this grotto, known as “Lourdes Water,” is renowned for its association with divine healing.
The anointing of the sick, administered by an ordained priest with holy oil, is one of the seven sacred sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church, conferring grace through the Holy Spirit.
Statement from Bishop Vann
“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.”
About the Order of Malta
The Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and Malta, better known as the Order of Malta, is an ancient religious Catholic Order founded in Jerusalem in 1048 AD.
- Mission: The Order has long focused on its Hospitaller works, aimed at helping the sick and the poor. It operates in over 40 countries worldwide, sponsoring thousands of projects.
- Structure: The Western Association of the Order in the United States was formed 55 years ago and is headquartered in San Francisco. The Orange County chapter, with 75 members (Knights and Dames), is part of this association.
- Charitable Activities: The Western Association’s charitable work includes volunteer hours and financial support for free clinics, parish nurse programs, disaster relief, pilgrimages to Lourdes, and grants to local charities.
Contact Information
Pastoral Center: Communications Department 13280 Chapman Avenue Garden Grove, CA 92840 Office: 714-282-3075 Fax: 714-282-3029