Pope Benedict XVI Blog

Holy Father reminds the world’s sick to unite their sufferings to the crucified Christ

World Day of the Sick

Pope recalls that this day to remember the sick falls on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes

Vatican City, Feb 11, 2007 / 01:08 pm (CNA).- Greeting the thousands of pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square on this, the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, Pope Benedict XVI used his Angelus to speak about the connection between the apparitions at Lourdes, human suffering, and the suffering of the crucified Christ.

The Holy Father recalled Pope John Paul II's desire that the World Day of the Sick be celebrated on February 11th, “the anniversary of the first apparition of the Virgin Mary to Saint Bernadette…in the grotto of Massabielle, at Lourdes.”

Pope Benedict emphasized how at Lourdes, Mary called all Christians to prayer and Penance, “echoing the words with which Jesus began his preaching in Galilee, ‘This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel (Mk 1:15).’”

The Sanctuary of Lourdes, the Pope recalled, has become a destination for so many infirm pilgrims, “who in hearing the Most Holy Mary, are encouraged to accept their sufferings and offer them for the salvation of the world, uniting them to those of the crucified Christ.”
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posted by Dr. Denice Hanley, DPM, M.Div. @ 3:48 PM