The World Day of the Sick is held on the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, February 11 of each year. Instituted by the Holy John Paul II in 1992, this day is a day of awareness for those who are suffering from illness, often alone and isolated.
Pope Francis’ text this year is entitled “It is not good that man should be alone”. – Healing the Sick by Healing Relationships.
He emphasizes the isolation of the sick. This entrenchment “makes us lose the meaning of existence, deprives us of the joy of love and makes us experience an oppressive feeling of loneliness in all the crucial passages of life.”
In the context of a society increasingly marked by individualism, the Pope denounces the impact of this culture, which influences political decisions, with the tendency to limit “the fundamental right to health and access to care…”. He urges us to counterbalance this by showing greater compassion and fraternity towards those who are ill.
He also addresses the latter, inviting them to ask for a presence from the people around them. “Don’t be ashamed of your desire for closeness and tenderness! Don’t hide it, and never think you’re a burden to others.”
In several dioceses, there are pastoral care services. In Montreal, the Service d’accompagnement spirituel des personnes malades ou âgées à domicile (SASMAD) is of particular note. This organization offers individual home visits by a volunteer. For more information, visit their website. Other resources include those developed by the National Association of Catholic Chaplains.
Message 2024 from Pope Francis: English | Spanish | French