On Sunday 3 August, members of the Order of Malta had the pleasure of hosting the Annual Lourdes Healing Mass at St Mary’s, South Brisbane.

Conventional Chaplain ad Honorem, Ken Howell, Bishop of Toowoomba, was the chief celebrant for Mass that included the opportunity for those in need to receive the sacrament of anointing of the sick.

For over 60 years, the Order of Malta has held an annual pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in France each May. Over 7,000 participants from all over the world come together for confraternal fellowship and the opportunity to be of service to our Lords the Sick.

Here in Australia, the Order of Malta in each Region celebrates a Mass in the tradition of the Lourdes Pilgrimage. This year, Magistral Chaplain Fr. Gerard McMorrow gave an inspiring homily in which he expanded on the “Hail Mary” as a prayer to show how it encompasses so much of the Gospels of St Juke and St John.

Following Mass, members distributed bottles of Lourdes Water and Rosary Packs while hosting a morning tea with the assistance of Emmanuel City Mission.