February 11 is the anniversary of the first apparition of Mary to Bernadette Soubirous. Thirty years ago, on this day of the Solemnity of Our Lady Of Lourdes, Saint John Paul II instituted the World Day of the sick to sensitize citizens, health institutions and civil society to attention to the sick and to all those who care for them. This year the malato World Day of the sick can not take place in Arequipa, Peru, as planned, due to the pandemic. It will therefore take place in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. The theme chosen for this day is “” Be merciful as your father is merciful”. Pope Francis reminds us that: “the Supreme witness of the father’s merciful love for the sick is his only begotten Son”.
Mission of hospitaliers
The message of Pope Francis for the World Day of the sick strengthens the mission of hospitaliers, of welcoming and accompanying the sick in Lourdes. The Pope recalls: “the sick person is always more important than his illness and that is why any therapeutic approach cannot ignore listening”. Lourdes is a place of listening and support for the little ones, for the sick and the suffering. ” How can we fail to remember, in this regard, the many sick people who, during the pandemic, lived in solitude”, asks Francis. Many are the witnesses who, on this day, in Lourdes give flesh to the pope’s words: “even when it is not possible to heal, it is always possible to cure, it is always possible to console, it is always possible to feel a closeness that shows more interest for the person than for his pathology”.
Always present and active force
This year’s theme is represented as an ever-present and active force. It unites, in an indissoluble way, strength and tenderness. “Dear health workers, your service alongside the sick, carried out with love and competence, transcends the boundaries of your profession and becomes a mission. Your hands, which touch the suffering flesh of Christ, can be a sign of the merciful hands of the father. Be aware of the great dignity of your profession and the responsibility it entails”.
Patients are always more important than their diseases
“Patients are always more important than their illnesses, and for this reason no therapeutic approach can ignore listening to the patient, his story, his anxieties and fears. Even when healing is not possible, you can always pay attention. It is always possible to console, it is always possible to make one perceive a closeness that interests more to the person than to his pathology”.
History of the World Day of the sick
In 1992, Pope John Paul II established the day to urge people to pray for the sick and their guardians. The Pope showed signs of Parkinson’s disease in 1991, but it was not verified until 2001, so it is noteworthy that he decided to institute World Day of the sick just a year after his diagnosis. In his apostolic letter “Salvifici Doloris”, the pope wrote much on the theme of suffering and felt that it was always a process of redemption through Christ.
Bernadette was recognized as a saint by the Catholic Church
On February 11, 1993, the First World Day of the Sick was celebrated. Our Lady Of Lourdes, a term that refers to the Virgin Mary in honor of the apparitions that are assumed to have been seen in Lourdes, France, by a little girl named Bernadette Soubirous, is also celebrated on February 11. Bernadette was recognized as a saint by the Catholic Church a few years later. Since numerous pilgrims and tourists in Lourdes, France, claimed to have been healed in the Marian shrine through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin, he chose the commemoration of Our Lady of Lourdes as the day of observance. The pope also paid tribute to the shrine of Harissa in Lebanon. The World Day Of The Sick had special significance in 2005 because the sick Pope died on April 2 of that year. As he lay dying in St. Peter’s Square in Rome, a large crowd gathered to pray for him.
Relieve pain
On February 11, 2013, Pope Benedict announced his resignation, citing his poor health as the cause of his departure. On World Day of the sick, people around the world take the opportunity to pray for the sick and for those who work tirelessly to relieve their pain. Religious organizations commemorate this day by providing medicine, food and spiritual guidance to the sick.
The UdA on wellness and health education
The teachers of the Istituto Comprensivo Luigi Nono di Mira (VE), directed with great competence by the head teacher Dr. Paolo Parolini, have prepared a valuable learning unit on the theme “educating to health and well-being” with the following purposes.
- Make the student become aware of the importance of Hygiene and healthy eating.
- Start to realize the importance of healthy eating.
- Certain behaviors prevent disease.
UDA health and wellness education
Circular – World Day of the sick