Following the example of Pope Francis, the Diocese of Westminster welcomed the sick at the annual Mass on the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes at Westminster Cathedral on Saturday 8 February.
Archbishop Vincent celebrated the Mass alongside Auxiliary Bishops John Arnold and John Sherrington and members of the clergy from the diocese. Those who attended were able to receive the Sacrament of the Sick through the anointing with blessed oil. The congregation was also bolstered by the presence of the Westminster Recaps, the young people who accompany the diocesan pilgrimage in the summer. They carried the many colourful diocesan banners and an illuminated statue of Mary used in Lourdes.
In his homily, Archbishop Vincent asked those present to remember Our Lady in the Grotto of Lourdes and to pray to her for those who were sick and suffering, not just those present in the Cathedral that afternoon, but worldwide.
For more photos, please see the Diocese Flickr site - http://www.flickr.com/photos/catholicwestminster/
