2008-01-19 14:04:15

Pope's message for World Day of the Sick, 2008


(Jan. 19, 2008) “The Eucharist, Lourdes and the Pastoral Care of the Sick” is the theme chosen by Pope Benedict XVI for this year’s World Day Of the Sick. The Vatican on Saturday released the Pope’s message for the Catholic Church’s annual day observed on Feb. 11. Instituted in 1992 by Pope John Paul II, the World Day of the Sick is celebrated each year on 11 February, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. In his message, Pope Benedict draws attention to the Eucharist and Lourdes because of two important events in the life of the Church this year, namely, the 150th anniversary the Marian apparitions in Lourdes, France, and the International Eucharistic Congress in Quebec, Canada, in June. In his message the Pope says that these two events offer us a special opportunity to examine the close link between the Eucharistic mystery, the role of Mary in the salvific plan of God and the reality of human pain and suffering. The Pope recalls Mary’s total abandonment to the will of God from the Annunciation to conceiving Him in her womb right up to His death on Calvary. The Pope says, ‘one cannot contemplate Mary without being attracted to Christ and one cannot look up to Christ without ignoring the presence of Mary.” “We particularly realize this indelible bond between the Mother and Son in a mysterious way in the sacrament of the Eucharist,” the Pope says. “In this perspective,” he continues, “one can understand all the more why at the grotto of Lourdes, besides the devotion to the Virgin Mary, there is a strong call to Eucharistic celebrations, adoration and the blessing of the Sick.” The presence of numerous sick pilgrims and their volunteers in Lourdes, the Pope says, helps us to reflect on the maternal and tender concern that the Virgin has for man’s pain and suffering.








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