VATICAN - The Holy Father addresses the sick gathered in St Peter’s Basilica: “May no one, especially those who suffer, feel alone and abandoned”

Monday, 12 February 2007

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Vatican City (Fides Service) - In the afternoon of Sunday 11 February, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes marked by the Church as World Day for the Sick, thousands of Italian sick people and voluntary helpers who usually make the annual pilgrimage to Lourdes, gathered happily for their traditional Mass in St Peter’s Basilica presided by Cardinal Camillo Ruini, the Pope’s Vicar General for the diocese of Rome. The theme of the Day this year was "Pastoral and Spiritual Care for Terminally Ill Patients". At the end of the Mass Pope Benedict XVI went down to the Basilica to address and bless those present and join in the singing of the Lourdes hymn by candlelight.
After greeting those present the Pope urged the sick, their family members and helpers to feel united with him, with “all taking part in the principal celebrations of the World Day of the Sick Seoul, in Korea”. Recalling that the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to a simple country girl Bernardette Soubirous, the Pope said “the humble and the poor are God’s favourites, to them He reveals the mystery of the Kingdom of Heaven ”. He continued: “Mary, who faithfully accompanied her Son to the cross and was associated in a mysterious plan with the sufferings of Christ her Son, never tires of urging us to love and share with sure trust the experience of pain and sickness, offering it with faith to the Father, completing in this way in our own body what is lacking in the suffering of Christ”.
The Pope said: “My dear brothers and sisters may the candle you hold be your sign of sincere desire to walk with Jesus, the light of peace who illuminates the shadows and leads us in turn to be light and help for those around us. May no one, especially those who suffer, feel alone and abandoned. I entrust you all this evening to the Blessed Virgin Mary. After unspeakable suffering Mary was assumed into heaven where she awaits us and where we too hop to share one day in unending joy the glory of her Divine Son”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 12/2/2007; righe 26, parole 407)