Some photos courtesy of Valaurian Walker/Detroit Catholic.

In keeping with the Order’s commitment to serve “the poor and sick,” Michigan Area members assisted at the Archdiocese of Detroit’s annual Mass with Anointing of the Sick, held Sunday, February 9 at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit.

The Mass of Anointing is held each year on World Day of the Sick, a day of devotion established by Pope St. John Paul II in 1992. Coinciding with the liturgical Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes, World Day of the Sick reminds the faithful to reflect on the Church’s teachings about sickness, and to serve and pray for the sick and their caregivers.

Before Mass, members of the Order welcomed those who were coming to be anointed and presented them with vials of Lourdes water, hundreds of which were packaged in advance by the children of Michigan Area Chair Andy Smith, KM, and Andrea Smith, DM.

The Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron, GCChC. As in years past, the archbishop invited members of the Michigan Area to participate in the healing Mass, held in connection with the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Readings at Mass were proclaimed by Peggy Stanton, DM, and Barbara Wilson, DM. John Trupiano, KM, and Kathy Trupiano, DM, brought up the gifts at the Offertory.

Archbishop Vigneron and three priests of the Archdiocese, including Fr. Stephen Burr, rector of Sacred Heart Major Seminary; Fr. John Maksym, pastor of St. Peter Catholic Church in Mt. Clemens; and Fr. Dave Tomaszycki, priest-secretary to Archbishop Vigneron, conducted the anointing. They were assisted by Doug Nelson, KM, and Donna Nelson, DM; Eileen Newell, DM; Paul O’Leary, KM; Andrea Smith; Alan Wegienka, KM, and Angie Wegienka, DM; and Robert Wilson, KM. At the end of Mass, Andy Smith, KM, led Michigan Area members in the Daily Prayer of the Order.

As it happened, this year’s Anointing Mass is the last such event at which Archbishop Vigneron will preside as archbishop of Detroit. On February 11, the Holy See announced that Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger, presently bishop of Tucson, Arizona, to succeed Archbishop Vigneron. As required by canon law, Archbishop Vigneron tendered his resignation to the Holy Father on his 75th birthday, Oct. 21, 2023. With the archbishop-elect’s appointment, Archbishop Vigneron becomes archbishop emeritus of Detroit.

You can also read a recap of this event featured in the Detroit Catholic here. 

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