Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The World Day of the Sick, which
will be celebrated next 11 February, the liturgical Memorial of
Our Lady of Lourdes, will see the diocesan communities gathering
with their Bishops at prayer meetings in order to reflect and
decide on initiatives of sensitization concerning the reality
of suffering.
The Pauline Year that we are celebrating
is a favourable opportunity to pause and meditate with the Apostle
Paul on the fact that "as we share abundantly in Christ's
sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too"
(2 Cor 1:5).
The spiritual connection with Lourdes also calls to mind the motherly
concern of the Mother of Jesus for the brethren of her Son, "who
still journey on earth surrounded by dangers and difficulties,
until they are led into their blessed home" (Lumen gentium,
n. 62).
This year our attention focuses in
particular on children, the weakest and most defenceless creatures,
and on those of them who are sick and suffering. There are tiny
human beings who bear in their bodies the consequences of incapacitating
diseases, and others who are fighting illnesses that are still
incurable today, despite the progress of medicine and the assistance
of qualified researchers and health-care professionals.
There are children injured in body
and in mind, subsequent to conflicts and wars, and other innocent
victims of the insensate hatred of adults. There are "street"
children, who are deprived of the warmth of a family and left
to themselves, and minors defiled by degenerate people who violate
their innocence, causing them psychological damage that will mark
them for the rest of their lives.
Then we cannot forget the incalculable number of minors who die
of thirst, hunger and the lack of medical help, as well as the
small exiles and refugees who flee from their countries together
with their parents in search of a better life. A silent cry of
pain rises from all these children which questions our consciences
as human beings and believers.
The Christian community, which cannot
remain indifferent to such tragic situations, feels the impelling
duty to intervene. Indeed, as I wrote in the Encyclical Deus caritas
est, the Church "is God's family in the world. In this family
no one ought to go without the necessities of life" (n. 25,b).
I therefore hope that the World Day of the Sick will offer the
parish and diocesan communities an opportunity to be ever more
aware that they are the "family of God" and will encourage
them to make the love of the Lord, who asks that "within
the ecclesial family no member should suffer through being in
need", visible in villages, neighbourhoods and cities (ibid).
The witness of charity is part of the very life of every Christian
community. And from the outset the Church has expressed the Gospel
principles in practical gestures, as we read in the Acts of the
Apostles.
Today, given the changed conditions
of health-care assistance, people are feeling the need for closer
collaboration between health-care professionals who work in the
various health-care institutions and the ecclesial communities
present in the territory. In this perspective the value of an
institution linked to the Holy See such as the Bambino Ges? Pediatric
Hospital - this year celebrating its 140th anniversary - is confirmed
in every way.
But this is not all. Since the sick
child belongs to a family that frequently shares in his or her
suffering with serious hardship and difficulties, Christian communities
cannot but also feel duty-bound to help families afflicted by
the illness of a son or daughter.
After the example of the "Good Samaritan", it is necessary
to bend over the people so harshly tried and offer them the support
of their concrete solidarity.
In this way the acceptance and sharing of suffering is expressed
in the practical support of sick children's families, creating
in them an atmosphere of serenity and hope and making them feel
that they are in the midst of a larger family of brothers and
sisters in Christ.
Jesus' compassion for the widow of
Nain (cf. Lk 7:12-17) and for Jairus' supplication (cf. Lk 8:41-56)
constitute, among others, useful reference points for learning
to share in the moments of physical and moral suffering of the
many sorely tried families.
All this implies disinterested and
generous love, a reflection and a sign of the merciful love of
God who never abandons his children in trial but always provides
them anew with wonderful resources of heart and mind to equip
them to face life's difficulties adequately.
The daily devotion and continuous
commitment to serving sick children is an eloquent testimony of
love for human life, particularly for the life of those who are
weak and dependant on others in all things and for all things.
In fact, it is necessary to assert
vigorously the absolute and supreme dignity of every human life.
The teaching that the Church ceaselessly proclaims does not change
with the passing of time: human life is beautiful and should be
lived to the full, even when it is weak and enveloped in the mystery
of suffering.
We must turn our gaze to the Crucified Jesus: in dying on the
Cross he wished to share in the suffering of all humanity. We
may discern in his suffering for love a supreme sharing in the
plight of little ones who are ill and of their parents.
My venerable Predecessor John Paul ii who offered a shining example
of patient acceptance of suffering, particularly towards the end
of his life, wrote: "On this Cross is the 'Redeemer of man',
the Man of Sorrows, who has taken upon himself the physical and
moral sufferings of the people of all times, so that in love they
may find the salvific meaning of their sorrow and valid answers
to all of their questions" (Salvifici Doloris, n. 31).
I would like here to express my appreciation
and encouragement to the international and national organizations
which care for sick children, especially in the poor countries,
and which with generosity and abnegation make their contribution
to assuring them adequate and loving care.
At the same time, I address a heartfelt
appeal to the leaders of nations that they will strengthen the
laws and provisions for sick children and their families. For
her part, the Church - always, but especially when a child's life
is at stake - is prepared to offer cordial collaboration with
the intention of transforming the whole human civilization into
a "civilization of love" (Salvifici Doloris, n. 30).
To conclude, I would like to express
my spiritual closeness to all of you, dear brothers and sisters
who are suffering from an illness. I address an affectionate greeting
to all those who assist you: the Bishops, priests, consecrated
people, health-care workers, volunteers and all who devote themselves
lovingly to treating and alleviating the sufferings of those who
are grappling with illness.
Here is a special greeting for you,
dear sick and suffering children: the Pope embraces you with fatherly
affection together with your parents and relatives, and assures
you of his special remembrance in prayer, as he asks you to trust
in the maternal help of the Immaculate Virgin Mary who last Christmas
we once again contemplated joyfully holding in her arms the Son
of God who became a Child. As I invoke upon you and upon every
sick person the motherly protection of the Blessed Virgin, Health
of the Sick, I cordially impart to all a special Apostolic Blessing.
BENEDICTUS PP. XVI