Today is the 24th World Day of the Sick, "a special time of prayer and sharing, of offering one's suffering for the good of others and of reminding everyone to see in his sick brother or sister the face of Christ who, by suffering, dying and rising achieved the salvation of mankind" (Pope St. John Paul II).
We pray in a special way today for all those who care for the sick, especially those Sisters of Christian Charity who minister in health care and their colleagues. We are so grateful to them for carrying on the healing ministry of Jesus and the healing legacy of Blessed Pauline von Mallinckrodt.
Click here to read the message of Pope Francis for World Day of the Sick 2016, "Entrusting Oneself to the Merciful Jesus Like Mary: Do Whatever He Tells You." Here is an excerpt of the message:
"In Mary’s concern we see reflected the tenderness of God. This same tenderness is present in the lives of all those persons who attend the sick and understand their needs, even the most imperceptible ones, because they look upon them with eyes full of love. How many times has a mother at the bedside of her sick child, or a child caring for an elderly parent, or a grandchild concerned for a grandparent, placed his or her prayer in the hands of Our Lady! For our loved ones who suffer because of illness we ask first for their health. Jesus himself showed the presence of the Kingdom of God specifically through his healings: “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them”; line-height: 20px;">Mt 11:4-5). But love animated by faith makes us ask for them something greater than physical health: we ask for peace, a serenity in life that comes from the heart and is God’s gift, the fruit of the Holy Spirit, a gift which the Father never denies to those who ask him for it with trust."
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