‘Flowing peace’: waters of Lourdes reach St Patrick’s at annual Lourdes Day Mass

On Saturday 9 February, hundreds of faithful from across Melbourne gathered at St Patrick’s Cathedral for the Lourdes Day Mass—a cherished annual opportunity to pray for the sick and infirm. For those unable to visit the Marian shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in France, this Mass—held each year on or near the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes (11 February)—brings those facing health challenges closer to its grace, allowing them to receive the healing waters that flow from the sacred site.

Archbishop Peter A Comensoli presided at this year’s Mass, with Bishop Emeritus Terry Curtin, Bishop Anthony Ireland and several priests from the Archdiocese concelebrating.

Many people aren’t able to go to Lourdes due to frailty, illness or financial reasons. So we try to bring Lourdes to them.

Now in its 15th year, the Mass is organised by the Order of Malta Australia, an organisation deeply connected to Our Lady of Lourdes and committed to serving those in need.

‘The order makes an annual pilgrimage to Lourdes, but we recognise that many people aren’t able to go due to frailty, illness or financial reasons. So we try to bring Lourdes to them,’ said Sauro Antonelli AM, the event’s coordinator.

The devotion to Lourdes dates back to 1858, when Our Lady appeared in a grotto to Bernadette Soubirous, a young French peasant girl. Instructing Bernadette to dig in the ground, Mary revealed a spring with healing properties that continues to flow to this day.

Speaking on the significance of Lourdes during the Mass, Bishop Curtin described Lourdes as a place ‘where the sick come constantly to call upon God’s help, to take inspiration from Our Lady, and in doing so to find healing of heart and soul and body.’

To prepare for each Lourdes Day Mass, members of the order diligently prepare hundreds of gift packs containing water from the grotto at Lourdes, rosary beads and prayer materials that are distributed at the Mass with the help of school students.

In addition to assisting with the Mass at the Cathedral, members also help organise Masses in aged care facilities across Melbourne, ensuring the gift packs reach the sick and elderly who may not be able to attend.

Jesus is here to change the drab water of our lives into intoxicating wine, to touch the ordinary in our lives and make it sparkle.

In his homily, Bishop Curtin recognised the charitable work of the Order of Malta, which today extends to 120 countries. The order’s mission to serve the sick and vulnerable has been its focus since its establishment in 1113, inspired by its motto, ‘Tuitio Fidei et Obsequium Pauperum’—‘nurturing, witnessing and protecting the faith; and serving the poor and the sick’.

Reflecting on the gospel story of the wedding feast at Cana, Bishop Curtin invited the congregation to meditate on three ‘ordinary things’ that must be done for Christ to work miracles in our lives: to listen for the voice of God in the ordinary, to create space to receive him, and to act and surrender to his will. When we do these things, ‘Jesus is here to change the drab water of our lives into intoxicating wine, to touch the [very] ordinary in our lives and make it sparkle,’ he said.

We’re all looking for God’s grace. We’re not always looking for miracles but praying for the right outcome and the grace to accept what we’re facing.

Following the Mass, attendees gathered in the forecourt of the Cathedral to be blessed with Lourdes water and personally prayed for by the Archbishop and the other concelebrants. Members of the order, along with school students from Genazzano FCJ College, St Kevin’s College and Loretto Mandeville Hall, then distributed the gift packs, giving each attendee a piece of Lourdes to take home.

When asked why this Mass was significant to those facing illness, Mr Antonelli explained that he has seen it give many the divine strength needed to face their challenges.

‘We’re all looking for God’s grace,’ he explained. ‘We’re not always looking for miracles but praying for the right outcome and the grace to accept what we’re facing.’