Day of Healing in DC

On a Saturday in late October, knights and dames at Holy Trinity Church in Georgetown, DC, hosted a Day of Healing and Reflection after a six-year hiatus caused by the pandemic. The project is intended to provide opportunities for the elderly and people who lack easy mobility to socialize, attend Mass, and enjoy common liturgies. We provided transportation as needed, breakfast, lunch, a talk, recitation of the rosary, Mass, and the Sacrament of Anointing, followed by lunch and more opportunities for socializing.

In spite of the hiatus and a short six-week notice that the facilities of Georgetown Visitation Preparation School were available, seven knights and dames put together a program and arranged logistics, including catering, an organist and cantor. We were able to host about 30 members of the community who are elderly or less mobile for the Day of Healing. During the event, 14 members of the Order and three candidates worked to make sure the guests were comfortable, had what they needed, and maintained the schedule of activities.

After coffee and pastries, the Rev. Kevin Gillespie, SJ, pastor at Holy Trinity and a chaplain of the Order, gave a talk about the spirituality of aging and illness. His talk was most appreciated by all the guests, partly because he drew from his own experiences with illness to illustrate his points. Members of the Order then led recitation of the rosary, followed by more socializing. Father Gillespie celebrated Mass and the Sacrament of Anointing in Visitation’s lovely chapel. A tasty lunch was served, and after an inspiring and rewarding day, the guests departed.

The Holy Trinity Malta group had hesitated to reinstitute the Day of Healing, which had been a signature project of the group for many years, but we are so glad we decided to go ahead and host it again. The success of the Day of Healing in October was a tribute to the hard work and diligence of the planning group as well as an affirmation of the charism of the Order, of service to the poor and the sick. Thanks to the following members of the Order for their hard work: Barbara Jones, DM, Cathy MacFarlane, DM, Bob Holman, KM, Barbara Patocka, DM, Diane Oakley, DM, Matt Lawlor, KM, and Rich Landfield, KM, and the many others who contributed to the success of the day.