MESSAGE FOR THE FIRST WORLD DAY OF THE SICK
11 February 1993
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
1. The Christian community has always paid
particular attention to the sick and the world of suffering in its multiple
manifestations. In the wake of such a long tradition, the universal Church,
with a renewed spirit of service, is preparing to celebrate the first World Day of the Sick as a special
occasion for growth, with an attitude of listening,
reflection, and effective commitment in
the face of the great mystery of pain and illness. This day, which, beginning
in February 1993, will be celebrated every year on the commemoration of Our
Lady of Lourdes, for all believers seeks to be "a special time of prayer
and sharing, of offering one's suffering for the good of the Church and of
reminding everyone to see in his sick brother or sister the face of Christ who,
by suffering, dying and rising, achieved the salvation of mankind" (Letter Instituting the World Day of the Sick,
13 May 1992, n. 3).
The day seeks, moreover, to involve all people of good will. Indeed, the
basic questions posed by the reality of suffering and the appeal to bring both
physical and spiritual relief to the sick do not concern believers alone, but
challenge all mankind, marked by the limitations of the mortal condition.
2. Unfortunately, we are preparing to celebrate
this first World Day in circumstances
which are in some respects dramatic: the events of these months, while
bringing out the urgency of prayer to entreat divine aid, recall us to the duty
of implementing new and swift measures to assist those who suffer and cannot
wait.
The sick and suffering are before our eyes
Before the eyes of all are the very sad images
of individuals and whole peoples who, lacerated by war and conflicts, succumb
under the weight of easily avoidable calamities. How can we turn our gaze from
the imploring faces of so many human beings, especially children, reduced to a
shell of their former selves by hardships of every kind in which they are
caught up against their will because of selfishness and violence? And how can
we forget all those who at health-care facilities — hospitals, clinics, leprosariums, centres for the
disabled, nursing homes — or in their own dwellings undergo the calvary of sufferings which are often neglected, not always
suitably relieved, and sometimes even aggravated by a lack of adequate support?
3. Illness, which in everyday experience is
perceived as a frustration of the natural life force, for believers becomes an
appeal to "read" the new, difficult situation in the perspective which is proper to faith. Outside of faith,
moreover, how can we discover in the moment of trial the constructive
contribution of pain? How can we give meaning and value to the anguish, unease,
and physical and psychic ills accompanying our mortal condition? What
justification can we find for the decline of old age and the final goal of
death, which, in spite of all scientific and technological progress, inexorably
remain?
Yes, only
in Christ, the incarnate Word, Redeemer of mankind and victor over death, is it possible to find satisfactory answers
to such fundamental questions.
In the light of Christ's death and resurrection
illness no longer appears as an exclusively negative event; rather, it is seen
as a "visit by God", an opportunity "to release love, in order
to give birth to works of love towards neighbour, in
order to transform the whole of human civilization into a civilization of
love" (Apostolic Letter Salvifici doloris, n. 30).
The history of the Church and of Christian
spirituality offers very broad testimony of this. Over the centuries shining
pages have been written of heroism in suffering accepted and offered in union
with Christ. And no less marvellous pages have been
traced out through humble service to the poor and the sick, in whose tormented
flesh the presence of the poor, crucified Christ has been recognized.
4. The World Day of the Sick — in its
preparation, realization and objectives — is not meant to be reduced to a mere
external display centring on certain initiatives,
however praiseworthy they may be, but is intended to reach consciences to make
them aware of the valuable contribution which human and Christian service to
those suffering makes to better understanding among people and, consequently,
to building real peace.
Indeed, peace presupposes, as its preliminary
condition, that special attention be reserved for the suffering and the sick by
public authorities, national and international organizations, and every person
of good will. This is valid, first of all, for developing countries — in Latin
America, Africa and Asia — which are marked by serious deficiencies in health
care. With the celebration of the World Day of the Sick, the Church is
promoting a renewed commitment to those populations, seeking to wipe out the
injustice existing today by devoting greater human, spiritual, and material
resources to their needs.
A transcendent vision of man is needed
In this regard, I wish to address a special
appeal to civil authorities, to people of science, and to all those who work in
direct contact with the sick. May their service never become bureaucratic and
aloof! Particularly, may it be quite clear to all that the administration of
public money imposes the serious duty of avoiding its waste and improper use so
that available resources, administered wisely and equitably, will serve to
ensure prevention of disease and care during illness for all who need them.
The hopes which are so alive today for a
humanization of medicine and health care require a more decisive response. To
make health care more humane and adequate it is, however, essential to draw on
a transcendent vision of man which stresses the value and sacredness of life in
the sick person as the image and child of God. Illness and pain affect every
human being: love for the suffering is the sign and measure of the degree of
civilization and progress of a people.
5. To you, dear sick people all over the world,
the main actors of this World Day, may this event bring the announcement of the
living and comforting presence of the Lord. Your sufferings, accepted and borne
with unshakeable faith, when joined to those of Christ take on extraordinary
value for the life of the Church and the good of humanity.
For you, health-care workers called to the
highest, most meritorious and exemplary testimony of justice and love, may this
Day be a renewed spur to continue in your delicate service with generous
openness to the profound values of the person, to respect for human dignity,
and to defence of life, from its beginning to its
natural close.
For you, Pastors of the Christian people, and
to all the different members of the Church community, for volunteers, and
particularly for those engaged in the health-care ministry, may this World Day
of the Sick offer stimulus and encouragement to go forward with fresh
dedication on the way of service to tried, suffering humanity.
6. On the commemoration of Our Lady of Lourdes,
whose shrine at the foot of the Pyrenees has become a temple of human suffering, we approach — as she did on Calvary,
where the cross of her Son rose up — the crosses of pain and solitude of so
many brothers and sisters to bring them comfort, to share their suffering and
present it to the Lord of life, in spiritual communion with the whole Church.
May the Blessed Virgin, "Health of the
Sick" and "Mother of the Living", be our support and our hope
and, through the celebration of the Day of the Sick, increase our sensitivity
and dedication to those being tested, along with the trusting expectation of
the luminous day of our salvation, when every tear will be dried forever (cf.
Is 25:8). May it be granted to us to enjoy the first fruits of that day from
now on in the superabundant joy — though in the midst of all tribulations (cf.
2 Cor 7:4) — promised by Christ which no one can take
from us (Jn 16:22).
I extend my
Blessing to all!