On Tuesday, February 11th, the NYC Area and the Subpriory of Our Lady of Lourdes celebrated the Feast Day of Our Lady of Lourdes and World Day of Prayer for the Sick with an Anointing Mass at St. Francis of Assisi Church in midtown Manhattan. Father Joe Cavoto, OFM, ChM celebrated the liturgy and candlelight procession. We were honored to have in attendance a Malade and Caregiver from the 2024 Lourdes Pilgrimage and a resident from Mary Manning Walsh Nursing Home, who was transported to the Mass in the NYC Area Mobile Ministry Van. Also in attendance were Peter McGuire, KMOb, Regent for the Subpriory of Our Lady of Lourdes; Ken Craig, GCM, President of the American Association; and Rory Kelleher, GCMOb, Secretary General.

Father Cavoto’s sermon centered on Hope and he discussed how Pope Francis has declared this Jubilee Year to be a year of Hope, with three elements of hope being “encounter, gift, sharing.” This tied into St. Bernadette’s encounter with Our Lady of Lourdes, the gift St. Bernadette received from Our Lady, and how St. Bernadette shared that gift with the faithful. And that through Jesus we receive the promise of abundant life. “For the faithful there is Hope, Hope that strengthens in times of trial.” At the conclusion of the liturgy, there was a candlelight procession to a side altar of Our Lady.

Following the Mass, the attendees shared fellowship and good cheer during a reception in St. Francis’ Damiano Hall. This included delicious fried chicken that was graciously donated by Melba’s Restaurant in Harlem. In conjunction with the Feast Day Mass, the NYC Area conducted a Warm Clothing Drive. Mass attendees brought several large bags of warm clothing, which will be distributed to guests of St. Francis Breadline.