On Saturday, the congregation at the annual Order of Malta Lourdes Day Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral Sydney was joined by thousands who watched the livestream of this special celebration.

A pilgrimage to Lourdes represents one of the most significant moments in the spiritual life of the Order’s members and volunteers. For Australians unable to travel to Lourdes, the Order of Malta Lourdes Masses enable attendees to receive a blessing for good health and a bottle of water from the shrine at Lourdes for their personal use.

Once again, The Most Rev Anthony Fisher Archbishop of Sydney, who is also an Order of Malta Chaplain, presided over this special celebration.  For his homily he chronicled the intriguing, difficult and turbulent journey of the Order of Malta’s Our Lady of Philermos icon from the 11^th century to today, noting that it provided a powerful allegory of faith.

Sadly, whilst COVID-19 limited the physical attendance of many, members of the Order of Malta simultaneously attended nursing homes to join residents to watch the livestream and distribute bottles of Lourdes water.

A recording of this Mass is available online.

Upcoming Lourdes Mass celebrations in Australia:

• Saturday 11 February 2023, 10:30am at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Melbourne
• Saturday 11 February 2023, 11.30am at St. Francis Xavier’s Cathedral, Adelaide
• Brisbane – date to be confirmed. Will be advertised on orderofmalta.org.au