AMERICA/BOLIVIA - World Day of the Sick: experience of sickness and suffering can become a school of hope

La Paz (Agenzia Fides) - On February 11, the Catholic Church celebrates the World Day of the Sick. This celebration is a special moment in Bolivia, which invites all men of good will to turn our attention and prayer towards our sick and suffering brethren. The Bishops of Bolivia, evoking the Second Vatican Council, stress the important task of the Church in taking care of human suffering. The Pontiff himself, in his message for World Day of the Sick, has cited the work in this area carried out by the various dioceses and religious institutes, thanking these workers whom he calls a valuable "heritage" of the Church.
In Bolivia, there are many events organized by the Church for this celebration. Archbishop Jesús Pérez of Sucre will celebrate a Mass in the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, during which there will be the laying on of hands and blessing of each patient. Bishop Sergio Gualba, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Santa Cruz, in his homily last Sunday, announcing the World Day of the Sick, said: "This day is useful in helping us to understand that with the grace of God when it is accepted and lived everyday life, the experience of illness and suffering can become a school of hope." (CE) (Agenzia Fides 09/02/2010)