杏MAP导航

By Christopher Wells

In his for the 33rd World Day of the Sick, 杏MAP导航 Francis grapples with the profound questions that confront those who are suffering and those who care for them. 鈥淗ow can we be strong when our bodies are prey to severe, debilitating illnesses that require costly treatment that we may not be able to afford?  How can we show strength when, in addition to our own sufferings, we see those of our loved ones who support us yet feel powerless to help us?鈥�

Although true hope 鈥渄oes not disappoint,鈥� and in fact 鈥渟trengthens us in times of trial,鈥� this confidence can often prove perplexing in real situations of suffering. 鈥淚n these situations,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 says, we sense our need for a strength greater than our own. We realize that we need God鈥檚 help, His grace, His Providence, and the strength that is the gift of His Spirit.鈥�

The Holy Father goes on to invite the faithful to reflect on three particular ways God remains close to those who are suffering: 鈥渆ncounter, gift, and sharing.鈥�

Encounter

The 杏MAP导航 recalls that when Jesus sent the 72 disciples on mission, He told them to tell the sick, 鈥淭he Kingdom of God has come near to you,鈥� that is, 鈥渢o help the sick see their infirmity鈥� as an opportunity to encounter the Lord.鈥�

This encounter, he explains, can be transformative, helping us to discover 鈥渁 solid rock to which we can cling amid the tempests of life, an experience that鈥� makes us all the stronger because it teaches us that we are not alone.鈥�

Gift

This leads us to experience God鈥檚 closeness in our suffering as a gift, the 杏MAP导航 continues. 鈥淢ore than anything else, suffering makes us aware that hope comes from the Lord. It is thus, first and foremost, a gift to be received and cultivated, by remaining 鈥榝aithful to the faithfulness of God鈥�.鈥�

The 杏MAP导航 goes on to explain that 鈥渙nly in Christ鈥檚 resurrection does our own life and destiny find its place within the infinite horizon of eternity.鈥� The 鈥済reat hope鈥� that nothing can separate us from Christ 鈥渋s the source of all those small glimmers of light that help us to see our way through the trials and obstacles of life,鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis explains, quoting his predecessor, Benedict XVI.

Sharing

Finally, God is close to us through sharing, which is often seen in places of suffering. 鈥淗ow often, at the bedside of the sick, do we learn to hope!鈥� he writes. 鈥淗ow often, by our closeness to those who suffer, do we learn to have faith!  How often, when we care for those in need, do we discover love!鈥�

The 杏MAP导航 emphasizes the need 鈥渢o learn how to appreciate the beauty and significance of these grace-filled encounters鈥� between patients, doctors, caregivers, family and friends. 鈥淎ll these are rays of light to be treasured; even among the dark night of adversity, they give us strength, while at the same time teaching us the deeper meaning of life, in love and closeness.鈥�

An important role in the Jubilee

杏MAP导航 Francis concludes his Message with a special word for those who are sick and suffering, reminding them that they have an 鈥渆specially important鈥� part to play in the Jubilee. 鈥淵our journey together is a sign of hope for everyone, 鈥榓 hymn of dignity, a song of hope鈥�.鈥�

And he thanks them for their witness, in the name of the whole Church and in his own name, assuring them that they are always in his prayers, and extending to them his blessing.

World Day of the Sick 2025

The World Day of the Sick is observed each year on February 11, the liturgical commemoration of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Lourdes, with an especially solemn celebration taking place every three years at a Marian shrine.

However, in view of the Jubilee Year, 杏MAP导航 Francis has chosen to delay for one year the solemn celebration that would normally occur in 2025. The solemn commemoration of the World Day of the Sick will now take place in 2026, at the Marian Sanctuary of the Virgin of Chapi of Arequipa in Peru.

The 杏MAP导航鈥檚 decision was announced in a press release published on Monday morning by the Dicasteries for the Promotion of Integral Human Development and of Evangelization. The statement noted that for the Jubilee Year, the World Day of the Sick will be celebrated in the ordinary manner at the diocesan level, as usual on February 11; while at the same time noting the upcoming Jubilee of the Sick and Health Care Workers, set for April 5-6; and the Jubilee of People with Disabilities on April 28-29.