World Day of the Sick
On February 11 we celebrated the 29th annual World Day of the Sick. Introduced by Pope John Paul II, this observation coincides with the commemoration of Our Lady of Lourdes, the Marian shrine known for its healing waters.
As Pope Francis explains, this day calls upon us to devote attention to and offer prayers for those suffering from illnesses and for those who provide the sick with assistance and care both in healthcare institutions and within families and communities. In his message for this day, Pope Francis reminds us that the experience of being ill “makes us realize our own vulnerability and our innate need of others,” adding that this experience “makes us feel all the more clearly that we are creatures dependent on God.”
This year, we are particularly mindful of those who have suffered, and continue to suffer, the effects of the worldwide coronavirus pandemic.
To honor the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, Fr. Paul Schneider, OFM Conv., led a quiet, prayerful procession of the Blessed Sacrament around St. Mary’s Home and Jugan Terrace, giving individual blessings to both Residents and staff, and offering our entire family the opportunity to share in something that pilgrims to Lourdes experience.
World Day of the Sick