Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “With the annual World Day of the Sick, the Church seeks to raise the awareness of the ecclesial community regarding the importance of pastoral service in the wide world of health service that is part and parcel of her mission, since it represents the continuation of the saving mission of Christ.” These are the words of Pope Benedict XVI, from his message for the XVIII World Day of the Sick (February 11, 2010), which coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers.
In the mystery of the suffering, death, and resurrection of Christ, "human suffering finds meaning and fullness of light," wrote the Holy Father, reminding us that Jesus, at the Last Supper stooped to wash the feet of the Apostles, thereby inviting us "to enter His same logic of love that gives itself especially to children and needy. Following his example, every Christian is called to relive, in different and ever-new situations, the parable of the Good Samaritan ... At the conclusion of the parable, Jesus says, 'Go and do the same.' With these words, He addresses us as well. He urges us to stoop down before the wounds of body and spirit of our brothers and sisters that we encounter on the roads of the world; and helps us to understand that, by the grace of God accepted and lived out in everyday life, the experience of illness and suffering can become a school of hope.”
In her history, the Church has always taken care of human suffering, recognizing in the poor and the suffering the image of her Founder, poor and suffering, resulting in "numerous forms of health care, including institutional health facilities managed by the diocese or born of the generosity of various religious institutes. "The creation of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers, twenty-five years ago, is part of that ecclesial concern for the world of health,” the Holy Father writes. “And I must add that at the current historical-cultural time there is an increasing need for an attentive and extensive ecclesial presence alongside sick people, as well as a presence in society capable of effectively transmitting evangelical values for the protection of human life in all its phases, from conception until natural end.”
After recalling the Message to the poor, the sick and all who suffer, that the Council Fathers addressed to the world, at the end of Vatican II, Benedict XVI addressed priests, in this Year for Priests, urging them to spare no efforts in offering "care and comfort" to the sick and the sick are urged to pray and offer their sufferings for priests, "that they can remain faithful to their vocation and their ministry be fruitful spiritual benefit of the whole Church." (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 4/12/2009)
