Feature 11 February 2010 | 18th World Day of the Sick

05 Feb 2010

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The 18th World Day of the Sick takes place on Thursday 11 February, the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. Pope Benedict XVI’s message focuses particularly on ‘The Church in the Service of Love for the Suffering’.


“The Church in the Service of Love for the Suffering”

Message of His Holiness Benedict XVI for the 18th World Day of the Sick

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

papal_coat_of_armsOn 11 February of next year, the liturgical memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Lourdes, the XVIII World Day of the Sick will be celebrated in the Vatican Basilica. This happy coinciding with the twenty-fifth anniversary of the foundation of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers constitutes a further reason to thank God for the journey that has been made hitherto in the sector of pastoral care in health. With all my heart I hope that this anniversary will be an occasion for a more generous apostolic impetus to the service of the sick and those who care for them.

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Benedict XVI: God wants to heal man entirely

11 February 2010 | Video highlights from the Holy Mass for the Sick celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI in the Vatican Basilica in honor of the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, the XVII World Day of the Sick:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRYCYciBRho

Resources for World Day of the Sick 2010

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Above resources produced by Veritas on behalf of the Archdiocese of Dublin.


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Taking Time to Relax – a relaxation CD commissioned by Dublin Diocesan World Day of the Sick 2010 and produced by Crosscare Carer Support programme.

audio_iconListen …

 


chc_prayer_leaflet_cover_2010_ The Catholic Healthcare Commission has also produced a prayer leaflet for World Day of the Sick 2010. The theme selected this year is “Be Still”. 

Download here …

 

 


Background to the World Day of the Sick

World Day of the Sick is a day of intense prayer for all who are suffering pain, infirmity and sickness. In this way we will express our solidarity with those who suffer, a solidarity arising from our awareness of the mystery of suffering and its place in Gods loving plan for every individual. Those who dedicate themselves to the world of health care enter into the most intimate part of the individual into his/her existence, as a spiritual being. As we care for the sick and needy we bring the good news of the gospel alive by offering ourselves as authentic signs of love, “the Kingdom of God is close at hand” Mark 1: 15

World Day of the Sick was established in 1993 by Pope John Paul II and a message is issued annually to commemorate the occasion. Each year the World Day of the Sick is celebrated on 11 February internationally in a different Marian shrine.

Previous messages of his Holiness Pope Benedict XVI for World Day of the Sick have focused on:

  • 2009 – Sick and suffering children
  • 2008 – The Eucharist, Lourdes and Pastoral Care of the Sick
  • 2007 – The incurably ill and those dying from terminal diseases
  • 2006 – The mentally ill