Sunday, May 5, 2019

National Nurses' Week

National Nurses' Week is celebrated annually from May 6 (also known as National Nurses' Day) to May 12 (the birthday of Florence Nightingale).  The Sisters of Christian Charity have a long history of caring for the sick, going back to the 19th century, through our founder, Blessed Pauline von Mallinckrodt (1817-1881).  Today, our Sister-nurses serve at various ministry sites in New Jersey and Pennsylvania (click here to see a listing of these on our website).   We are grateful to them and offer our special prayers for them this week.

The Catholic Health Association of the United States has provided this prayer for National Nurses' Day.  It is worth reflecting on the entire prayer at the link above. Here is a brief portion of the prayer:

God of healing and hope, you sanctify the call of the nurse as one who offers themselves in the service of others.  

Just as you willingly took on the lowliness of human nature and in doing so elevated it, the nurse willingly takes on thankless and commonplace tasks.  In doing so, she sanctifies and makes them holy.  

Remain with the nurses of Catholic health care.  Strengthen them as they serve with faithful devotion.  Be a strength to them that they may be strong for others.  Be a comfort to them that they may comfort others, and as their shifts come to an end, be a resting place for them that they may know your love, grace and joy.

Amen.

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