God’s strength, compassion available to those who suffer, those who care for them

A message for World Day of the Sick 2025 from Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.
St. Vincent de Paul (1581-1660) once told St. Louise de Marillac (1591-1660) and the Daughters of Charity they co-founded:  

“As for your conduct with the sick, may you never take the attitude of merely getting the task done. You must show them affection; serving them from the heart; inquiring of them what they might need; speaking to them gently and compassionately.”

Affection. Service. Solicitude. Gentle compassion. This was their advice to their first followers 400 years ago. Good advice then. Good advice still.

February 11, 2025 is the Catholic Church’s World Day of the Sick, the 33rd annual observance of this special commemoration established by Pope St. John Paul II in 1992 “to be a special time of prayer and sharing.”  It coincides with the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, which commemorates the site of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s apparition to St. Bernadette Soubirous in Lourdes, France, and of many miraculous healings attributed to Mary since her appearance there in 1858.  Millions of pilgrims who are ill and their caretakers still travel there each year in the hope of a miracle which, in itself, is miraculous.

Read the full message HERE.